The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-01-25
ETCHING
On Brass and Copper Is New Fad
IS for the Artistic Girl.

M for the Artistic Girl.
Batik work is the popular diver.
sion of the up-to-date girl. 1t has
taken the place of the china paint
ing, typography and leather decor
ating Of past seasons, which have
now been relegated to the domain
of serious pursuits and their art pos.
sibiiities demonstrated by capable
workers.
Now to this generation, batik work
represents the revival of an old pro
cess. Its Introduction being ascrib.
ed to the Japanese. 1t is novel
and artistic form of etching on brass
or copper and, point likely to be
appreciated by the girl Of the per
iod. 1t may be quickly learned.
The results are very satisfactory
card trays, pin trays, trinket boxes.
finger bowls. ash receivers, tobacco
jars. photo frames, small fire screens
and plaques serving as mediums for
the most effective decoration. The
length of time required to produce
the decoration depends upon the
depth of the etching desired and the
weight of the brass or copper. Brass
is the fayorite metal employed for
this work and fascinating to de.
gree is the process Of tracing the
design and preparing it for INNER
sion in the etchingduid. After the
etching bath the article is polished
to the desired degree of brightness,
and If contrast is desired finish
is applied which produces the effect
of light and shade. No special
knowledge of art is necessary for
this work, simply careful attention
10 the directions for using the pencil
the essential instrument in this
form of decoration. says the Brooklyn
Eagle.
The batik pencil is a tool similar
In construction to a fountain pen
but made of brass tube, open at
one end to permit OF its being filled
with wax stick, which is melted
In the instrument. The pencil should
always be- held upright and the cap
replaced after filing to avoid spill
Ing the melted wax.
The point OF the pencil has
spring vent which releases the wax
under pressure, similar to that put
on common steel pen.
Holding the pencil little more
rpright than an ordinary pen or
pencil, the operator in drawing de-
POSTS the melted wax ON; the stamp
ed design on the article to be etch
sd All that is necessary is to fol-
dew with the pencil the lines indi
GATED, taking care to have free and
steady flow of wax, which is easily
obtained by occasionally heating the
pencil
In etching brass and copper, the
metal should be warm and absolute
~ oleans After the wax has been
applied 70 the design according ia
previous instructions, look it over
carefully and remove any particles
OF wax not required to outline the
design (using a sharp wooden stick.)
1t IS now necessary to prepare the
article for immersion in the etchins
nuid. In order to protect that part
OF the metal, other than the design
Ito which the wax has, already been
applled), sufficient wax should he
melted in a pot and then applied ia
the article with brush, care beine
taken to cover with wax all the met
81 not TO be affected by the etcbins
mud, not forgetting the space sur
rounding the design. The article NAV
now be placed in bath of etchine
nuid, from four to twelve hours. ac
cording to- depth of etching desired
The article may be left in the etcb.
ang nuid over night. Should the
article be- a tray, the inner sides 81
same should be carefully protected
with wax, and liberal amount al
etcnIng fluid to thoroughly cover the
design may then be poured in. Afte,
pouring off the etching fluid the way
may be removed by heating. runnine
not water being the best methsd
All that is needed now is to nolisb
the article. unless a finish is desir.
ed to produce the effect of a hack.
ground. The finish should be applied
literally with cloth, and, after al
lowing time for the finish to almost
dFT clean off all parts Of the metal
net etched