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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Enameling Discs ... the Super Easy Way!

Torch-Fired Enamel Pendant and Saucers
When I was in college I had an art professor who said, "I finally "get" Color Theory after having taught it for five years!" I guess teaching does reinforce your existing knowledge of the subject, which is what I experienced when I had a couple of ladies over on Monday for a Painting with Fire Workshop. I said, "The pwf technique makes enameling teeny tiny discs super easy!  Imagine if you had to torch fire these discs the "other way" ... where you clean the metal, spray it with Klyr-fire, sift the enamel, then carry it to the trivet.  By the time I'd get it there the enamel would be knocked off of the edges!"  For you see, with the pwf method, you put the disc on a mandrel, take it for a whirl in the flame, and in about 40 seconds you're finished!

So enameling the 6mm discs you can punch with the Swanstrom disc cutter is no big deal. I made these in my St. Pete studio.  Unfortunately I realized that I didn't have a way to make a hole ... no two-hole punch or drill bits.  So I used a screw to punch a little hole in the metal and filed the backside of the disc to enlarge it.

These colors remind me of Easter ... and of some of the necklaces draping the displays in Forever 21 ... a favorite shop of my daughter's.  It looks like a trend right now is necklaces of yards of chain and soft pastels.  Are you thinking forward to Spring and to a change in your color palette?  Do you have a favorite color ... is it an old standby or a new one for you?

15 comments:

Kerry said...

such beautiful colors Barbara! and i really can not wait for your book! from what you share here and the things i see you create, i know it is going to be a stunner.

lunedreams said...

oooh this is exactly what i want to make!! this summer.

Laura Twiford said...

My favorites are blues greens and purples, like hydrangeas, I'm drawn to them everytime! Love the discs

Anonymous said...

so pretty! i'm totally ready for spring.

My Life Under the Bus said...

Delicious and I think it has been such a dark dismal winter here in the northeast all i want is COLOR!!!!

jessememan said...

luscious!

sharon said...

Just gorgeous! I am afraid I have favorite colors and a realhard time with others. You make them all look fantastic!

romantic decay said...

Beautiful colors!

Michele Lynch Art said...

Love the colors and they totally remind me of spring! Are you going to make a necklace out of them? Can't wait to see what you create! Hmmm my favorite color right now is that kinda soft blue/green, reminds me of the ocean :o) But I tend to wear black all the time LOL. xo Michele

Diane said...

These are beautiful Barbara, and yes, they do make me think of Spring and Easter eggs! xoxo

Green Shoot Jewellery Designs said...

These are lovely, my favourite colour is purple. I've been brightening up my colour palette for Spring x

Pretty Things said...

LOVE these!

Cindy said...

Barbara, I sure am looking forward to Spring! These pastels are scrumptious. :-)

stregata said...

These are gorgeous!!!
I think everyone has noticed that my favorite colour is green... all shades of green.

Rebecca said...

These are totally stunning! I love the colours.