Sunday, March 14, 2021 
1:00 - 5:00 pm PST 

Instructor: Julia Lowther 

Beginning Level 

Zoom link and instructions for joining the call will be emailed one day prior to class.

The class supply list is below and contains links to buy the supplies you need.

Electro-etching is a fabulous low-tech and low-cost way to add design and dimension to a flat sheet of metal. Designs can be printed using most regular laser printers or photocopiers.  You will learn to transfer your designs to a metal sheet, etch the metal (re-purposed cell phone chargers are involved - very cool!), cut out your jewelry pieces (can be earrings, pendants, etc.), and dome your pieces before finishing them. Side effects will almost certainly include many compliments on your new jewelry and addiction to the art of electro-etching!

Beginners welcome.

WARNING! Electro etching requires the use of an electric power supply. This power supply poses the risk of electric shock and could result in serious injury or death. Use at your own risk.

Supply List for Students

The links below will take you to RioGrande.com or other suppliers. To see prices for precious metal items, you need a free Rio Grande account. Registered Little Metal Foxes students can access the Rio for Schools program for significant savings (discounts and flat-rate shipping). This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.

Recommended Materials:

• 2"x 3" Metal sheet - 22-20ga (0.64mm-0.81mm) (choose a color):
• • Copper sheet 
  • Brass sheet
• Sodium bisulfate (used to reduce pH in pools & spas, also used as jewelry "pickle") (Amazon)
• Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend (Amazon)
• Scotch Brite Heavy Duty Scour Pad (Amazon)
• Wide packing tape (Amazon)
• Nail polish (any color, plain, no sparkles or other inclusions) (Amazon)
• Acetone (nail polish remover) (Amazon)
• Cotton pads (Amazon)
• Sterling ear wires - 924481  (if making earrings)

Tools required for Electro-Etching:

• Etching Kit available for purchase only with the purchase of the Electro-Etching class. Kit includes power supply, container, cathode, 2 pieces (2"x3") 22ga copper sheet, and sample printed designs to get you started.
  NOTE: If you already have an electro-etching set-up, you can order just a Resist Kit from Little Metal Foxes, so you can experiment with our preferred toner transfer method.
• Power strip with on/off SWITCH (Amazon) (NOTE: This is SUPER important to have for your safety in working with the power supply!!! You MUST have a way to switch off the power without unplugging the power supply.)
• Electric heat source -  clothes iron
• OR 2" wide hair straightener
  
• Surface thermometer (Amazon)
• Hairdryer (optional)
• Scissors
• Metal shears - 111253
  OR Joyce Chen kitchen scissors (Amazon)
• Flashlight
• Foam brush or soft paintbrush about 1" wide
• Small plastic container (pint size)

Tools recommended for cutting and doming circles (optional):

• Circle template - (Amazon)
• Wooden dapping block and punches - 112199
• (Check out this article by Julia Lowther on how to make your own inexpensive wooden dapping punches)

Basic Tools you should have at your bench for this project:

• Jewelers saw frame (2.25" throat) -110039
• 4/0 jewelers saw blades (pkg/12) - 110304
• Bench pin & anvil - 110014
• Dividers - 116224
  
• Brass sliding gauge - 116075
• Pin vise - 113146 + small drill bit (size 70 or larger)
• Flat/half round forming pliers - 111180
• Chain-nose pliers - 111911
• Flat-nose pliers - 111912
• Round-nose pliers - 111913
• Side cutters - 111931
• Nylon mallet - 112013
  
• Metal ruler - 116493
• Emery board or sapphire nail file (Amazon)
  
• Sandpaper (800, 600, 400, 220 grits) + popsicle sticks + masking tape
• Loupe - 113780
• Patina - Liver of Sulfur gel - 331033
• Polishing cloth - 337039