ArtMetal

Enamel Flowers DetailDear Marilyn,

Thanks for introducing enamels to me during the 2005 Shindig in Wisconscin. On a whim (plus the fact my boys have been with me at work for two weeks,) I've been reading information about enameling and I decided to buy some enamels and see what would happen. Rio Grande had an article about enamel artists, so I just had to try it.

I made sure that I had clean metal to start and I attempted to melt a base coat on a tiny piece of copper. Somewhere in my memory I convinced myself that I should use my jewlers torch for this technique. I tried and tried. However, impatience ruled the day and I switched to my Oxy-Acetylene torch. So, with a higher temperature torch I started heating the copper and enamel from the top. It sure is interesting to learn things through trial and error(sarcasm:) (Well, I made sure the metal was clean, then I put my oily fingers on it, which made the base coat of enamel curl up into a ball in the middle of the copper, adhering to itself and not the metal. Now I understand how to make enamel beads.) I see. Hmm.

So, on my third attempt, I cleaned my metal, holding it this time only on the sides, then I placed it on my mesh screen tripod. Heating from the bottom only, I watched the powder melt into an orange glowing puddle. The copper and enamel cooled and I had proof, that even an impatient artist can enamel with a torch. I resisted the urge to dip my hot coated metals in water to quench the heat as I applied more enamel on top of the base coat. I'm really going to enjoy this process.

In the back of my mind, I always Enamel Flowerswanted to find a permanent solution to the question of how to color my copper flowers.Repousse Hand with enamel