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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Torch-Fired Enamel Inventory for Bead Fest Philly

We've been working like crazy people around here! So I thought I'd show you what crazy people make when they create!  

These are some large gears that have been domed and joined during the firing process. 




I used one in this piece. 



Here are some new items we call "Torch-ured Hearts."  I came up with the name and Chris came up with the spelling.  Isn't that Chris a clever boy!  (Some of you may know him as "Pookie"!) The metal has gone through a rolling mill to give it floral detailing and then sterling silver has been fused to the surface.  I really like these!



Here's a technique from the "Luscious Links" project in the book on how to torch-fire decals.  I'm lovin' these!  These are 1.25" pendants that have been torch-fired once.  When cool, decals are placed on the enamel ... some that are black and white that I print from my printer and the another that is a commercial floral decal.  The black and white decal turns a sepia tone as a result of the red iron oxide in the ink.  





Working with white liquid enamel, like what's on the black and white heart, is a technique shown in the book on a couple of projects, including "Wings of a Dove" which features LeAnn's (Summers Studio) porcelain bird and bronze clay branch. Love these fun little hearts.  You would not believe how easy they are to make.  Actually, I should be saying, "These are terribly hard to do.  Only a master craftsman can do these.  You have to be a genius."  NOT!   LMAO!  




More decals on littler discs. 




More decals on even littler discs. 




White liquid enamel and more coarsely ground colored enamel make quick work of these discs!




My son, David, dreamed up these babies ... (some of you may know him as "Orton!")  Aren't they cute? 




Small and large copper gears will be available, too!  Pretty simple, but sometimes you need simple because what you have in mind is way complicated! 





These are perfect charms and also dangles for earrings! 



Various sized discs in lots of different colors! 




You call them "yo-yo's," I call them "bobbins."  It's all about perspective. 




Some adorable bead caps from Chris.




The elusive enamel head pin is also described in depth in the book. This is the funnest clasp I've made in a long time ... err, ever made! 



That's all folks!  If you're at Bead Fest Philly, please come see me at the Painting with Fire Artwear Booth 828!  You'll see a big shelf with tons of enamels and bags and bags of beads so you can make these yourself if you're so inclined! 

30 comments:

Lorelei Eurto said...

omg i am so excited to see some of this stuff! I have a whole wish list started!

Anonymous said...

I say: Hurray for the crazy people! I love them all. Have to get my enamel out and give it a try too...

Laura Twiford said...

wow Barbara, these all look so great! It's going to be a fun booth, can't wait to get there!

SummersStudio said...

I didn't think it was possible, but your stuff just gets better and better. Wish I could be there. Have a great show!

Jen Crossley said...

WOW i cant wait to do your class in Portland .Will you have books for sale there?if so Could you save me one
Jen

KristiBowmanDesign said...

Crazy Good!!! Wish I could be there, but Portland is just around the corner!

Anonymous said...

I cannot wait to get a copy of your book. I love enameling before but I think with the book I'm going to REALLY love it now!

Mellisa said...

Love the colors and shapes you have going on! Your booth will be so great to look at...wish it was closer to my neck of the woods :)

moonlitfantaseas said...

Beautiful stuff! I look forward to your class in Portland!!! Can't wait! I want to be making all these beautiful things too!

Unknown said...

Wow such greatness here!! They all make you feel wonderful looking at them! Barbara they are gorgeous!!

betty m said...

Love those juicy colors!

Cathie Carroll said...

An email today from Amazon.com highlighted your book as the 1st choice- and it should be. Your work is beyond any superlative I can think of.

I wish I could be at the show, but it's not to be. You'll just have to make do with all of your other fans lined up around the block!

Warm regards,

Cathie

Barbara Lewis said...

Thank you all for your kindnesses! I've been frantic today getting ready for Bead Fest. I'll try to post some photos from the show ... maybe of some of your beady buddies! xo

Judy said...

I am drooling terribly all over my keyboard....I love all the new things!! The ones with the decals are my favorite!! Great job lady and good luck in Philly!

Davinia said...

I'm in love with all of them. Good thing I'm on the other side of the world because my credit card would be used with gay abandon buying all those gorgeous, colourful beautifully designed beads. Here's to a wonderfully successful Bead Fest.

Sharon @ Crooked Creek Studio said...

Just beeeautiful! Wishing you much success at Bead Fest. I'd love to be there!

Stacey said...

Enjoy the show - wishing you boat loads of success! That red and white polkas dotted disc is GORGEOUS!!! All the discs! Gorgeous stuff!!!

mirsini's creations said...

WoW!!! I like them all soooo much!!! Your beads are dreamy!!!! Wish you lots of success but... i'm sure you will have!!
Kisses! :o)

Holly said...

These are lovely indeed! I so wish I were going to BeadFest.... ::sigh:: One day, one day :)

Sally Anderson said...

I'd like one of each or maybe a dozen of each! These are all so great! I hope you have a great time in Philadelphia!

SueBeads said...

OMG Barb! I love the idea of doming the gears and sprockets - gonna have to try that! Wish I was going to Philadelphia!

Barbara Lewis said...

Thanks! I'll be out on the Bead Fest showroom floor in about two hours!

beautifullybrokenme said...

Just awesome - so much fun! Have a fabulous time in Philly! :)

CharmN Jewelry said...

It is a good blend of the floral and the geometric beads.The way the geometric have been beaded is very novel and nice.I find the creations fantastic.Charm Bracelets

Cindy said...

Barbara, you do some amazing work with a tight schedule! I bet you had a great time at Bead Fest...I've been seeing lots of pictures on the blogs and seeing lots of Painting with Fire bead purchases made! :-) I hope you are now recuperating and relaxing a bit (if that's possible!). :-)

Jennifer Jangles said...

Barbara,

Those beads are beautiful! I think I am going to have to go shopping!

Pretty Things said...

Everything is so beautiful! I love all the joined pieces, and the flowers, of course.

Maneki said...

Beautiful work! Love the "half enamelled" hearts and how cool the gears look when domed and joined like in the first pic.

The thing that has me the most excited for other reasons, though, is probably the decal pendants. It just felt like something made for a kiln, not torch-firing, so I was happy to see that I'd be able to use decals without a kiln (not that I've ever enamelled since school, but I want to take it up again. Soon).

Charlene said...

I LOVE your enamel work. I am taking a class with my friend Diane Cook this weekend & we're using enamels in it. I also worked with them when I took a Mary Hets class. Thanks for sharing.
Charlene

Elizabeth said...

Glorious Work!! So sorry that I missed Philly !! Hopefully I will be there next year!!