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09/05/2006: "enameling 101 : part two"

the next step for making an enameled piece - the counter enamel. first is to do a layer of something on the back side of the copper piece. for this one i chose a nice pale blue. the tools are set.

i use the sifter to make nice even layer of powdered glass on the copper shape. you can paint on a layer of "clear-fire" first. that is a clear sticky substance that helps everything stay put for the first round. i have used it sometimes and forgotten other times. i think it does help keep the edges from pulling back.

then finally transfer it to the trivet. your piece sits on this little pointy trivet, which only touches it in a few tiny spots, while it fires in the kiln. this piece is ready to go in to the kiln. the first firing takes about 3 minutes with my kiln.

Replies: 5 Comments

on Wednesday, September 6th, Carrie B. said

Wow... so neat that you're sharing this with us. I have always wondered how complicated enameling was. I never realized it could be set up in a home studio! I'm looking forward to the rest of your posts on this topic. Thanks again!
-Carrie

on Wednesday, September 6th, becka said

thank you! i was wondering if anyone was even reading this stuff. i will continue the posts!

on Thursday, September 7th, Sarah said

I'm loving this!! I have to ask - how did you pick your kiln? They seem so expensive, I'd be scared to get the wrong one!

on Thursday, September 7th, becka said

i picked it mostly because my instructor at the class i took had one just like it. for class we used a big fancy programmable one, but he brought along his little guy to show us what he thought was a good "hobby" model. we fired one of my pieces in it at class and i felt like it was just what i needed. i also knew that i wasn't going to suddenly decide that i needed to make huge pieces or do glass fusing or anything you would need a big multi-temperature one for. all that being said, it is expensive to get started and the materials are hard to find. i live in a big city and i haven't been able to find anything locally. the really nice stained glass shop in town looked at me blankly when i asked them about enameling supplies. so i had to order everything from the internet and hope it all was what i wanted. i lucked out. i have a few copper pieces that i will never use and a couple of glass colors that are probably not going to be my favorites (as well as a few i now wish i had).

on Thursday, September 7th, mom said

Your mother always reads your stuff
You keep posting so I know what you are up to!