Following my trip to La Vidalerie where I learnt salt-water etching, I've been a woman obsessed!  I've been etching copper, steel and silver with all different types of methods and I've written up quite a few tutorials too.

My first tutorial was on salt-water etching, featuring a copper keyring I made for Lisa at Silhouette UK.

Check out my wee diagram illustrating the set up:

I then made some things with Edinburgh Etch Solution, which is just ferric chloride with citric acid added.  This simple addition of the acid that's in lemon juice makes a faster, cleaner and longer lasting etchant that is cheap and non-toxic.

As the hipflask that I made my dad also used Edinburgh Etch Solution, I decided instead to make more of a hint and tips tutorial for all etching methods.  Indeed this tips are relevant for etching non metals too, such as glass or tiles.  I covered how to chose which parts are to be weeded or kept, how to envisage the end result in the software, cutting spares and also reverse weeding/weeding in situ.

Finally, this post covers two techniques for etching fine and sterling silver. I used electro etching with silver nitrate for the swallow and ferric nitrate for the hummingbird.

Brass - I ordered up some copper and brass shapes from Just Simply Blanks and they have just arrived today, yippee!  I also ordered a cheap guillotine cut 1kg mixed bag of brass sheet from Ebay.

Letterpress - I plan to make a letterhead or return address design to emboss onto paper using my Big Shot mangle thingy  to make a letterpress stamp.

Champlevé - I'd like to have a shot at filling some etched pieces with either real enamel (torch firing) or cold enamel (epoxy resin).  I also have some efcolor which has the benefit of needing only a domestic oven at 150 degrees, but I'm not completely convinced - think it might be a bit plasticky.  I will of course keep you updated.

A New Etching Solution for Zinc, Steel and Aluminium - I've been using Edinburgh Etch for steel, but I discovered this article recommending a new solution , so bought me some cheap copper sulfate from eBay, again in the words of Arnie,"I'll be back!"

I'm just home from a week's holiday at La Vidalerie in France and it was fabulous!

I first discovered La Vidalerie when shopping for handmade silver jewellery findings a few years back.  Browsing through the website, I noticed that they also run jewellery making holidays.  So, my buddy Jenny and I went along for a few days on their beginners' course.

We covered the basics and it was a revelation to learn the correct techniques for things I always just muddled through with.  For example how to securely crimp and attach clasps to bracelets, open and close jump rings tightly without distorting them and how to make the perfect wire wrapped loops every time!

We drank a hell of a lot of cups of tea with choccie biccies, so I don't know how we managed it but we also branched into loads of 'proper' silversmithing.  We made our own earwires and clasps and learnt how to herringbone weave silver wire around beads.  We got our hammers out and learnt how to fold-form flat silver into 3d shapes.  We stamped and riveted pieces and even learnt how to solder our own stacker rings!

After my first holiday at La Vidalerie, I started making things at home and took an evening class at Precious Metals Workshop in Edinburgh.  I got quite into it and hired a bench with a friend, Di, whom I met at the workshop.

After a couple of years, my jewellery hobby dwindled, as my Silhouette Cameo had taken over and a flat move took up my remaining spare time.  I decided to cancel my bench as it was £60 per month and packed away all my tools.

Not many people know, but things have been tough recently, as I've separated from my long term partner.  I needed a break and the first place that sprung to mind was La Vidalerie!

Since visiting last, Karen and Tim have built a fabulous workshop, kitted out with loads of equipment, so I had a ball. 

My favourite jeweller Misun Won uses this Korean technique of fusing fine gold foil to silver a lot and I was keen to find out more.  I experimented with cutting it on my cameo, which was very nerve-racking given the cost!! 

At PMW in Edinburgh, I tried chemical etching on copper and silver, so was keen to try out salt water etching on copper with Karen.  This technique passes an electric current from some household batteries through the water to etch your piece.  We also used the same idea of electro-etching on silver, but instead of salt needed to use silver nitrate.  We tried out resists, including vinyl cut from my Silhouette Cameo.

I learnt how to make fully fused glass pieces and how to make custom designs etching the special sparkly dichroic glass

This was an unexpected delight, so much so I have ordered my own mini mill arriving tomorrow!  I cut designs in paper with my cameo, many inspired by retro Orla Kiely style stems.  I particularly love my brooch and learning how to make the fastening.

Apart from constantly dropping my teeny weeny topaz when I was trying to set it, I love this sea glass pendant and learning the versatile claw setting.  I want to take a trip to Seaham near Newcastle where this glass is from - apparently there was an old Victorian bottleworks factory which routinely dumped its end of day glass into the sea.  Almost a century after it closed, the sea still churns back daily loots of beautiful sand-polished glass nuggets.  Closer to home, I hear South Queensferry is also good, but this time because of the nearby pubs!

I etched this little fella in PMW but he had languished in an unfinished projects box.  I soldered a brooch pin on and we gave him a wee polish and he's ready.  Do you think I should keep him or gift him this Christmas?

I know it seems like I have some sort of affiliation, but I don't at all, I just really loved both my holidays!  Karen and Tim are so warm and welcoming and really easy-going.  Tim picked me up and dropped me off at Montpelier airport, although we realised that Beziers is actually a way better option late March to October as Ryanair fly direct from Edinburgh. 

Breakfast and lunches are included and veggies are well catered for as Karen herself is vegetarian.  For dinner, you can cook in the gite or Tim will happily drop you off in the local village and collect you again. 

Incredibly materials are also included, yes really - silver, copper and glass!  I even got a little laser engraved usb with all the photos Tim kindly took and my own polishing stick.  My makes were wrapped in little bags and tissues and I was given some La Vidalerie jewellery tins so I didn't damage them travelling back home.

My holiday cost £890 - this is the 2016 price for 5 workshop days and 7 nights.  This can be split into shorter holidays such as 2 Workshop Days / 3 Nights for £395 per person or 3 Workshop Days / 4 Nights costing £495 per person.  I think this is fabulous value considering day courses in Edinburgh cost as much or more without food, accomodation or materials!  Here's their website La Vidalerie.

Oh, I should mention that Karen and Tim are English ex-pats, so teach in English in case you assumed my French is way better than it is!! 

My tutorial to make faux leather mystery braid bracelets has been posted on the Silhouette UK blog today.  They also work as hairbands or even a belt for all little lady. 

http://silhouetteuk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/faux-leather-mystery-braid-free-cut-file.html

I've been having a ball with Silhouette's new Faux Leather.  Here's a tutorial published on the UK Silhouette Blog for some earrings.

Faux Leather Feather Earrings Tutorial

I've also been fun mystery braid braclets with this stuff (tutorial to follow) and plan to make fun accessories for our niece Elle's birthday rocking horse.

Be sure to check out the other tutorials using faux-leather on the UK blog site.  In particular I completely adore Caroline's mini album