[Jewelry making - Article 00262] - Re: [Orchid] Fire Glazing

[Electa Gore]

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    I enamelled for many years as a teenager, took some classes in
    college, and then couldn't take "my" kiln (actually my
    grandmother's) with me, and quit.  About a year ago, my grandmother
    gave me all her supplies.  Unfortunately, the kiln can't be
    installed at our current house (a long story) so all the stuff got
    packed up for a few months, before I decided to try torch firing.
    I've always used klyr-fyr, I've never had a problem with it, and
    I've tried the other media/oils, and I found them to be icky, but if
    I'm doing a "base coat", I paint the klyr-fyr on, and then sift the
    enamels onto the klyr-fyr. I initially had a problem with bumpiness
    when I started enamelling years ago, but I found the bumpiness to be
    the result of underfiring or sloppy application if the enamels were
    mixed with klyr-fyr and painted on (when they say multiple firings
    of very thin coats, they mean it.)  I never let the flame touch the
    enamels, it always seems to end in tears, so no counter enamelling
    until I get the kiln up and running.  I have had great luck with
    torch firing, and have done a number of flat pieces on both copper
    and silver, as well as several rings.  When I fire a flat (or
    flat-ish) piece or a ring where the enamel goes all the way around,
    I use a trivet and keep the flame on the bottom of the piece, or on
    the inside of the ring.  For a signet style ring, I use a third hand
    (part of a $10 craft and hobby kit from Odd Lots) to hold the ring
    design side up and direct the flame to the underside of the design. 
    As far as a torch, I usually use a smith little torch with
    propane/oxygen, but I have also fired several pieces with a butane
    torch (the one that stands by itself, not the pencil style one.) I
    would love to hear about anyone else's experiences with enamels,
    particularly in a jewelry related context, because the need for
    colorful ashtrays is a finite one.  Also, if anyone knows more about
    producing the irridescence by letting the flame touch the enamels,
    please share your information! 

Thanks!
E Gore


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