DIY Network

Wine Glass Charms Learn how to etch unique copper wine glass charms. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-157

Guest Kelly Farrell joins host Jennifer Perkins and demonstrates how to sand down copper disc, draw images on the copper and create wine glass charms.

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Guest Kelly Farrell creates wine glass charms out of copper.

Wine Glass Charms

Project designed by Kelly Farrell.

Materials:

ferric chloride — a brownish acid for etching copper and bronze (Note: in USA, this is readily available from Radio Shack under the name "PCB Etchant".)
copper discs
clear packing tape or duct tape or a glue gun and piece of plastic foam
household ammonia
baking soda
black Sharpie marker
pumice cleaners such as Ajax or Comet
jump rings, 18 ga, 1/4"
18 ga wire
steel tongs
Tupperware or plastic container large enough to fit your piece lying flat
safety gear (rubber gloves, safety glasses)
round nosed pliers
1" wooden dowel
jeweler's saw
drill with #65 drill bit

Preparing the Metal

1. Clean your metal thoroughly with pumice detergent so that the water runs off in sheets and does not bead at the edges. Dry the metal with a paper towel.

   Note: Dirt and oil can interfere with the ferric chloride used in this etching method.

2. Using a thick Sharpie marker, draw a design onto the charms (figure A). Thick lines will work better than thin ones. The lines that you draw will be raised, whereas the negative space will be etched away and lowered.

3. Cover the edges in Sharpie markers.

4. With a few strips of clear packing tape or duct tape, cover the back side of the metal (figure B). This will keep any etchant from getting to the back of the piece.

Figure A

Figure B

	Figure C
	Figure D

Etching the Metal

1. Pour the ferric chloride into your Tupperware container, about 1/2" deep. Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection when working with ferric chloride.

2. Suspend the piece face down in the ferric chloride. This can be done either by hot gluing the metal to a piece of plastic foam and then floating it, or by hanging it in the solution with a piece of duct tape dropped from one side to the other (figure C).

3. Check your piece periodically to see how far it has etched. You can use a needle or your fingernail to check the depth. The length of time depends on the age of the solution. New solutions might work in as little as half an hour; older solutions can take 12 hours or more.

4. When the desired amount of etch has been achieved, remove it from the etchant and wash it off. Merely running water on it is not enough to stop the etching, you will need to rinse it in ammonia. Sprinkle a little baking soda onto the piece and rub it into the piece (figure D) and then rinse it off in the ammonia.

5. Pour the used etchant back into the bottle (wear goggles), as it is reusable.

6. Scrub the Sharpie marker off with a brush. Baking soda will help get it off if it is being stubborn.

Figure E

Converting Them Into Charms

1. Drill holes near the top of each charm using a small drill bit.

2. Thread a jump ring through the hole and close with pliers.

3. Wrap the wire around the end of a one inch wooden dowel so that it forms a tight coil. You will need one wrap for each charm plus a few extra.

4. Using a jeweler's saw, carefully cut each of the coils (going right through the dowel) on one side so that they form individual one inch jump rings.

5. Use pliers to form a loop on one end.

6. Thread a wire through the jump ring on the charm.

7. Make a 90-degree bend in the opposite end of the wire (figure E).

8. Put the charm on a wine glass and thread the bent end of the wire into the loop on the other end to secure it.

RESOURCES :

PCP Etchant (ferric chloride)
Radio Shack
Website: www.radioshack.com

Copper Plates, PNP Blue
Thompson Enamel
Website: www.thompsonenamel.com

GUESTS :

Kelly Farrell
Website: www.dadahaus.com