Etched Copper Necklace by Mary Lind Beyond Cards Design Team Leader Click here for a larger view of this project

Sand 3/4” flat copper circles (www.dickblick.com) using a sanding block.

Ink Beauty Mosaic stamp (www.stampotique.com) using Staz-On solvent ink pad. Select individual images from the stamp and position and press copper circles firmly onto inked stamp. Use heat gun to set ink.

Note: Ferric Chloride Copper Etchant Solution is highly corrosive, and all precautions should be taken, including eye and hand protection. Avoid inhaling solution and dispose according to MSDS recommendations: http://www.mgchemicals.com/msds/english/liquid/415-liquid.pdf.

	Pour Copper Etchant Solution (Radio Shack) into a disposable plastic dish. Stick masking tape on the nonstamped side of the copper circles and dangle from a strand of masking tape into solution, allowing the stamped side to touch the solution (Figure1.jpg). Allow to react one to two hours, or until etching is as deep as desired.
	Pour unused solution into a glass or plastic container for storage, and neutralize solution on copper circles using a generous supply of baking soda. After ferric chloride has been neutralized, rinse off copper circles and dry with paper towels.

Lightly sand both sides and edge using sanding block. Be careful on the stamped side just to sand off the ink but not the etching. Heat circles on cookie sheet in 350 degree oven for about 1/2 hour to patina the metal.

Use a micro metal hole punch (e.g., http://www.dickblick.com/zz330/41/) to create a hole in the center top of the circles

Use watercolor pencils or oil pastel crayons to add color to the charms. Seal with an acrylic sealer.

Put a copper jump ring* through each of the circles and hook onto copper chain cut to fit your preferred necklace length. String copper beads and Greek raku beads (www.mykonosbeads.com/) onto brass or copper headpins and create a loop on the top**. Using jump rings, add the copper/raku dangles to chain alternating with the copper circles. Use a jump ring to add a lobster claw clasp to the right side end of chain.

Jewelry Tutorials:
*How to open a jumpring:
http://jewelrymaking.allinfoabout.com/features/jring.html
**How to create a loop in a headpin:
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/library/weekly/aa081098.htm

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