AGATE ETCHING
by Delwrae Jewell
|
|
|---|---|
| DESIGN YOUR PLATE FIRST |
First clean the plate thoroughly with alcohol. Then
place ONLY the design for the gold on the plate. Mix the gold paste with gold essence, using just enough to make the gold brush on smoothly. Using a full load (not a side load) cover the entire design with gold paste. Put the plate in a container of some sort and close it so that lint or dirt can not get into the paint. Leave the plate for 24 hours before you fire at 018. Fire at 018. |
| NEXT STEP AND THIRD STEP | Repeat the above instructions three times in all. DO NOT
TOUCH the fired gold with your hands at any time. Use
gloves, rags or tissue. DO NOT BURNISH BETWEEN FIRINGS. |
| WHAT TO DO AFTER THIRD FIRING. | After the third firing, burnish with fiber glass or
burnishing sand. Do this in a circular motion. I find
the gold burnishes much nicer if the plate is slightly
warm, (not hot) from the kiln. Wash the plate with soap and water to get all of the fiberglass or sand off. |
| APPLYING DESIGN TO THE GOLD |
Mix your Best Black paint with pen oil or open medium.
The consistency should be like ink. With a fine crow
quill pen, place the design on the gold. Let the design
dry for 24 hours before you fire at 018. Fire at 018. |
| AGATE ETCHING? | You are now ready to use the agate etcher very lightly
inside the flowers (the author had a design of roses
and scrolls on the plate) and leaves only. Stroke from
the outside of the leaf or flower to the center. Be
very careful not to press too hard or you will go through
the gold to the china. I hope you enjoy the results as much as I do. |
Back to articles.