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Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs, Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies. Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry. Anyone can do torch enameling.

Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs

by Karen Meador, Ph.D.
  • Category: Enamel
  • Technique(s): Enamel
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
Anyone can do torch enameling. I've just labeled this an intermediate skill project because it takes some steady hands to layer the enamel powders. But if you're careful, even beginners, I believe, could master this technique.

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x12 Inch
MET-705.24M
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.34
  • Gold Club Price: $8.51
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Opaque CE-3 Counter Enamel
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
1030 Foundation White Thompson Opaque Enamel
EN-1030
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Ounce
  • Price: $8.47
  • Gold Club Price: $6.35
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1750 Orchid Thompson Opaque Enamel
EN-1750
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Ounce
  • Price: $16.63
  • Gold Club Price: $12.47
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1760 Iris Purple Thompson Opaque Enamel
EN-1760
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Ounce
  • Price: $21.33
  • Gold Club Price: $16.00
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1605 Isle Blue Thompson Opaque Enamel
EN-1605
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Ounce
  • Price: $10.22
  • Gold Club Price: $7.66
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2720 Harold Purple Thompson Transparent Enamel
EN-2720
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Ounce
  • Price: $21.33
  • Gold Club Price: $16.00
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nylon mesh
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Klyr-Fire Holding Agent for Enamel
G11-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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Sterling Silver Earwires 14.5mm w/2mm Bead - Pack of 2
K19-46
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.10
  • Gold Club Price: $1.58
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Tools

Basic Torch Fire Enameling Tool Kit
EN-TOOLKIT-BASIC
  • EN-TOOLKIT-BASIC
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $54.95
  • Gold Club Price: $41.21
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Euro Punch Plier 1.50mm
PLR-133.70
  • PLR-133.70
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Metal Cutting Shears
SHR-536.00
  • SHR-536.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Instructions
Step 1
Pro Tip: Your safety is in your own hands. Please follow all safety precautions including those discussed in the aforementioned enamel set up tutorial.
Cut or saw two identical rectangular shapes from the 24g copper sheet.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 2
Snip or file each of the corners of the rectangle so they are not sharp.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 3
Use your fingers to give the pieces a slight bend which will make them sturdier.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 4
Make holes for the ear wires.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 5
Prepare and fire two coats of counter-enamel on each piece. Note: I find it difficult to keep the long pieces on the trivet. At times, I employ two trivets to hold one piece.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 6
Since we are using white on these pieces, I like to clean them in the pickle to remove as much fire scale and as many dark spots as possible. (Be sure to quench the pieces to remove the pickle.) You will likely still see discoloration on the pieces.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 7
Apply and fire two coats of Foundation White Enamel. Don't be concerned about the edges since foundation white has a tendency to pull away from them, You may still see some dark spot, but these will be covered with future layers.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 8
Cut white paper into the size strips you want to use, soak them in water and lay them across the pieces positioning them where you desire.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 9
Spray the pieces with a holding agent, if desired, and sift a different color in each exposed area.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 10
Carefully pick up the end of one strip at a time and remove each from the pieces.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 11
Make sure the pieces are completely dry before firing.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 12
Lay a small piece of mesh atop the pieces. The picture shows that I needed to use my trivets to hold down the mesh. Then sift a light coat of transparent enamel over the pieces.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 13
Carefully remove the mesh and then fire the pieces when dry. You can add a coat of clear transparent enamel over this is you feel it is needed.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings
Step 14
Add earwires and you're all set.

I hope you will experiment with various color combinations to create a variety of these earrings.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Layered Torch Enameled Earrinngs - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Layered Torch Enameled Earrings

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