Etching doesn't have to be super messy if you are experienced in it and have all the equipment set up. I would also recommended using ammonium persulphate over ferric chloride as it's a see-through and a bit less nasty.

I few months ago I would have dismissed DIY PCBs altogether in a heartbeat. But I visited my friend who etches PCBs on the regular and as long as you are OK with the limitations there is a lot to be said for holding your design in your hand minutes after having layed it out. I wrote a bit about this experience in my blog: https://blog.monostable.co.uk/posts/etching-oscillators-in-z...