Silver Gold Earrings Mythical Mexican

This pattern is etched from my North American design book. I believe this is a mythical Mexican spirit which can be small, playful and mischievous.. I find these earrings really adorable. 

Etching is an interesting process. The pattern is copied onto blue Press and Peel paper. It is burnished onto heated sterling silver sheet. Once the piece cools, the paper is peeled off, the design is left on the silver, sort of like a tattoo. The piece is placed in an acid bath which etches the design into the silver. After the etch is deep enough the silver is placed in a neutralizing solution. The remains of the blue paper is cleaned off. The piece is sawed away from the sheet silver, filed, refined and polished. 

I depletion gilded the pieces and then burnished them with 24K Gold foil, an ancient Korean technique called Keum Boo. I painted on patina for contrast.

The ear wires are lever back. They can be switched to comfortable sterling silver clip ons for an additional charge.

Dimensions: 1 and 1/4 inch X 3/4 inch