Bird on a Branch brooches
This was the result of learning how to press form to get that convex shape. Quite a subtle effect but it took a lot of effort- sawing ovals of perspex and rubber to fit over the silver and using all my might on the press forming machine to imprint the shape on the metal. Phew! Then I etched the design using acid to eat away the surface of the silver and highlighted the recessed area with gold or oxidised detail.
Comet earrings
More of the same here but with a more advanced shape.
Etching notes
Experiments on scrap pieces of copper with various 'stop out' media painted onto the metal in order to seal a design and prevent the acid from eating away these areas. I found that nail polish worked pretty well!