I was initially unimpressed with my efforts to sandblast beads. The finish looks unduly coarse compared to acid etching. After examining the beads again, I concluded that it looks ok on boro, which is fortunate, since boro doesn't acid etch well.

4 scrap beads, sandblasted. blue, 16x18mm; round 15mm; twisted dot, 11x 18 x 21mm; boro, 23x36mm

Obviously one can cut holes in hollow beads with a sandblaster. I suppose I should look up my notes from Diana East's presentation about what particular resist she used—some sort of thin membranous rubber, possibly with an adhesive backing, as I recall.

But the most important point I took away from this is that it will take practice to achieve the effect I want. And my new favorite (and therefore no-longer-trendy, since I'm always behind the curve) way to express this?

Le sigh.

file created 16 & 29 mar07.

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