[Jewelry making - Article 00055] - Re: [Orchid] First steps in torch fire enamels

[Janet Alix]

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Hi Helen,

    Well, soldering the wires to the base in itself will pose many
    problems--enamel really doesn't like solder, as mentioned in the
    recent posts about IT solder and so on. When I was doing cloissonne I
    usually fired down a thin layer of clear enamel first and then laid
    out the wire work on top of that. A gentle firing will usually soften
    the clear enamel enough to catch the bottom of the wires and so you
    have your little areas to fill with the ground colors. The wires need
    to be evenly sunk in the first layer so the colors can't melt under
    the wires and bleed from one cloisson to another. (This doesn't
    really apply if your colors are opaque but is important if you are
    using transparents). You also have to plan for the extra height you
    will need to accommodate the first layer and the subsequent layers
    being deep enough to establish the colors you want. Again, probably
    not a problem if using opaques. 

    Just some thoughts on your project. And, by the way, whatever
    happened to those pearls? 

Janet
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