Enameling Blog of Cloisonné & Many Other Enameling Techniques
Welcome to my Enameling Blog of Cloisonné, Plique a Jour, Champlevé Enameling and yes Painting Enamels.
This is a donation of everyone’s time to share and further the education of the fine art of enameling. I am very happy to answer questions to help you, Look forward to hearing from you. Comment box at the bottom of the page.
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Read, test, fail, analyze, try again and you will surely learn.
View my jewels: http://www.cloisonneenameljewelry.com
TOPICS
Every Box Below Is A Topic Of Enameling, Much Like A Chapter. There Is Also An Option To Ask Questions In Each And I Will Be Happy To Share.
Jewelers Tools 4 Sale
This upcoming year I will be selling 1/2 of my Jewelers Tools, that I have collected over the past 30 years while making beautiful jewels, here on my website. So visit often and send me a note with any questions to patsy@patsycroft.com
The Matilija Poppy and The Mendocino Poppy Project
Mendocino Poppy Project
by Tom Herman and Patsy Croft
Check out our 2-year journey at https://alohilanidesigns.com/matilija-poppy/
Did You Know?
Opalescent Enamel Article
Opalescent Enamel
Glass On Metal, Volume 13, No. 6, December 1994
By Woodrow Carpenter –
On the back cover you will find an announcement for a lead-free opalescent enamel. More than three years of work has gone into this development. If a few simple procedures are followed consistent good results are obtained.
When fused directly onto copper it should be fired at 1500 degrees F. for approximately 4 minutes. It will appear as well cleared transparent flux. Opalescence can be produced by reheating at 15oo degrees F. for approximately 1-1/2 minutes. The time is critical. If too short no opalescence will develop and if too long the opalescence will vanish. The preferred procedure is to refire for 1400 degrees f. for 3 minutes. The opalescence develops as the ware cools. Those who prefer to coat one side at a time can fire the first side at 150 degrees F. for cool, pickle, coat the second side and fire at 1500degrees F. for 4 minutes. Then refire as above to develop the opalescence.
On silver first apply a good coat of flux made for silver. Then apply the opalescent enamel and fire at 1400 degree F. for 2-1/2 – 3 minutes. As it cools the opalescence will develop.
Enamellers who like to fire high can do so to obtain different colors from the dissolved copper oxide. Then refire at 1400 degrees F. for 3 minutes or at 1500 degrees F. for a short time as described above.
The announcement also includes an enamel to be used as opalescent lumps. Again, certain procedures must be followed for best results.
1. Dip the lump into a solution of Klyr-Fire or other adhesive.
2. Place onto a fired enamel surface and allow to dry.
3. Fire at 1400 degrees F. for 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 minutes. Lump should be well rounded and quite opalescent.
The lumps have thermally reversible opacity. If refired at 1400 degrees F. for 2-1/4to 2-1/2 minutes will change the opacity to opalescence. Of course too much fire will flatten out the lump s it will be more of a domed disk. If opalescence is lost, refiring for a shorter time will bring it back. With judicious firing considerable attitude is obtained.
