‘Etchinging Phase’
‘Quality has to be caused, not controlled.’
I have tried screen-printing on the numbers, which is a lot quicker and easier, but the numbers do not look right. By etching the numbers they appear more in keeping with the hand made character of the piece.
The process is quite simple, involving the scraping away of the leaf, to expose the black boll underneath, using a scribing tool, rule and compass. Having said this, it requires a good eye, a steady hand and a great deal of patience and care. One of the 330 diameter Rose Clock dials, like the one above, takes around three hours to etch. It’s slow but enjoyable work -especially with Radio 4 to keep me company!
I have tried screen-printing on the numbers, which is a lot quicker and far easier to do, but the numbers just don’t look right. By etching the numbers they look like an integral part of the clock and more in keeping with the handmade character of the piece.
