Making an etched portrait

I have been experimenting with the process of transferring images to silver using a chemical etching process. My Mum gave me a picture of my Grandma from the 1950s, a black and white photograph. I used the photograph to make this Portrait pendant. I chose the oval shape as it complimented the picture and reminded me of a silver locket my Grandma gave me when I was little. 

I took the digital image from the photograph and edited it on the computer, the image has to be purely black and white and then made negative, the image has to also be flipped to ensure it is the right way up once etched.

The image is then printed using a laser printer onto PNP paper. I have experimented with using magazine paper and label backing but the specialist PNP works the best. The image is then transferred using heat to the silver. 

If the image has transferred correctly, the silver can then be etched using a warm ferric nitrate solution. The black parts of the image are protected and the white are etched. Once the etching is complete the pendant can be cut and finished. I use a black permanent marker to accentuate the etched parts. 

This one is going to be a Mothers day gift for my mum ❤

Looking forward to experimenting with more photographs. 

Thank you for joining me on my Jewellery Adventures!