Etching I with Julia McIntyre

Etching I with Julia McIntyre

Class | Available

1
8/10/2025-8/15/2025
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$200.00

Etching I with Julia McIntyre

Class | Available

ELECTROCHEMICAL ETCHING CLASS

INSTRUCTOR: JULIA MCINTYRE

 

Students will receive an overview of the electrochemical etching process, including equipment and materials review.  We will discuss transfer materials, and other masking techniques, and materials, pro and cons.  Students will learn how to mix up etching solution and prepare the metal plates for the etching process.  Students will learn how to prepare brass plate surfaces for use as rolling plate.  Students will also learn how to use rolling plates in a rolling mill to roller print designs in silver or copper.  Students will learn how to make designs suitable for the etching process using Photoshop,and how Photoshop can be used to alter designs, photos, and drawings for etching masks.

They will also explore how embossed or etched metal can be used in finished jewelry and explore interesting effects of etching on certain materials as well as ways to enhance the designs with liver of sulfur, alcohol inks, or colored resin.  Students will make at least 3 plates during this class.

 

Class fee: $175 (This includes materials and equipment usage)

Est. Materials Fee: $0

Prerequisite: None

 

*If students want to learn how to make their own patterns in Photoshop, they should bring a laptop with Photoshop Elements or better with them.

 

If a student has a rectifier or an orbital palm sander, I suggest they bring it with them. I will have at least 3 rectifiers, maybe 4 to use, and one palm sander, so additional machines will be helpful.

 

McIntyre, Julia
Julia McIntyre

Julia McIntyre works out of her studio in the foothills of North Carolina. As a practicing architect, Julia finds the design and construction process for buildings takes months and sometimes years to complete. Making flame-worked glass beads, silver smithing, and sewing and dying fabric allows Julie to explore her creative side. Julie started to explore using an electrochemical process while working as a director at TryonArts and Crafts School, and first taught the workshop in 2013. Exploring the process of electrochemical etching is a by-product of a dedication to silversmithing. After trying etching silver with nitric acid, a very dangerous process, Julie discovered publications on electrochemical etching for printers, so she adapted the process for creating images on copper, brass and nickel plate, which then can be used to make jewelry, or used to print designs into silver with a rolling mill or hydraulic press.