TORCH FIRED ENAMEL

TECHNICAL SKILLS VIDEOS

Grading Criteria

INSTRUCTION

  • USE ONLY COPPER SHEET METAL (nickel and brass will not enamel)
  • CUT OUT THE SHEET METAL SHAPE (prepare your metal prior to enameling)
  • CLEAN METAL (salt & vinegar or pickling solution or ultrasonic will clean metal prior to enameling)
  • (You can use enamel adhesive to help control where the enamel adheres)
  • SPRINKLE A THIN LAYER OF ENAMEL (you can add more layers later)
  • SPRINKLE THE THIN LAYER OVER A PIECE OF WHITE PAPER (you will be able to put back any enamel you didn't use, as long as it isn't contaminated - if it is contaminated, put it in the contamination jar)
          [You can use stencils, stamps, and other tools to create imagery in your enamel]
  • TORCH FIRE (from underneath, using the mesh tripod - enamel becomes liquid/glossy)
  • DON'T QUENCH (quenching can cause the enamel to pop off - let metal cool slowly)
  • CLEAN BETWEEN EACH ENAMEL LAYER

ADVANCED IDEAS

  • MULTIPLE LAYERS IN DIFFERENT COLORS
  • MAKE A STENCIL TO CREATE A PATTERN
  • USE A LEAF AS A STAMP
  • DRAW ON ENAMEL WITH GRAPHITE AND RE-TORCH
  • CREATE A TINY BEZEL TO HOLD AREAS OF ENAMEL SEPARATE
  • CHASE THE METAL SO THE ENAMEL SITS IN THE GROOVES
  • SWEAT SOLDER 2+ METAL SHAPES AND THEN ENAMEL INSIDE NEGATIVE SPACES OF TOP METAL (Consider more than one type of metal - enamel only sticks to copper)