Painting with Fire eCourse

As I promised, we're starting another eCourse!  The response was so overwhelming to the last one, I had to cut registration off at 90 participants!  I know some of you were disappointed, but we're doing another one!

Judging by the beautiful results of the participants, the eCourse was a success! Photos are just coming on line at the facebook page for the eCourse, which you can check out here:  

http://www.facebook.com/PaintingWithFireECourse/photos

PAINTING WITH FIRE WORKSHOP eCOURSE - $90

THIS IS AN EARLY SIGN-UP PRICE ONLY.  The regular online course fee of $99 becomes effective on June 1. The eCourse runs from July 9 through July 30.  However, the site, with all videos and the content we build during the workshop, will remain active until August 30.  Sign up now to benefit from this discount.  Please read to the end of this announcement.

With this course, you can learn the Painting with Fire Method of torch firing enamel from the comfort of your own home.  This is a comprehensive course that will take you through such topics as:

:: types of enamel

:: safety

:: setting up your work station

:: recommended fuels and why

:: metals appropriate for enameling

:: the sweet spot of the flame

:: where to place the bead on the mandrel for firing

::: how to remove the bead so that little clean up is required

:: enameling delicate objects

:: surface decoration

:: understanding color

:: creating compound beads

:: joining metal pieces with enamel

:: creating and enameling wire shapes

:: how to conquer the persnickety head pin

:: creating "twisty tendrils"

I'll also share with you some of my favorite tools, including the jump ring jig, which I use to create jump rings of any size in any gauge and from any metal.

I've set up a Ning group for us.  If you haven't experienced a Ning group, all I can say is, "You'll love it!" It's easy to navigate and provides a very interactive way of sharing information.  If you want to give it a test drive before the eCourse, please join me at www.paintingwithfire.ning.com.  The Painting with Fire Ning has been in operation for just two years and we have nearly 2600 members. This is a free site to members and is open to anyone who shares an interest in torch-fired enamel.  

For the eCourse, I've established a completely separate Ning group.  The word "Workshop" has been added to the name (www.paintingwithfireworkshop.ning.com)  It is a private group and only registrants of the workshop will be at the site. All participants of the PWF eCourse will  have their own page at the Ning where they can download photos of their work.  Everyone's photos unite in a group photos section where photos scroll across the homepage and greet you when you log on.  You'll find  a FAQ tab at the site, but the forum section can be used for questions and for sharing information.

The eCourse will be three weeks in length.  It will begin on July 9 and go through July 30.  However, the site, with all videos and the content we build during the workshop, will remain available to you through August 30.  I know that life can get in the way of our best efforts.   This is a self-paced course.  No  one should be fearful about not "keeping up." 

New videos will be added on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week.  Each video will be approximately 15 to 20 minutes in length. We at least one online chat a week.  Depending on the number of participants, that number could increase to three.  I'll keep you informed on the chat details at the end of the registration period. Chats are a perfect opportunity to have all of your questions addressed in real time.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Painting with Fire Torch Firing Kit

In order to participate in the eCourse, you will need the Painting with Fire Torch Firing Kit, which contains the all-important patent pending bead pulling station. The kit has everything you need but the map gas and a heat resistant surface (i.e., ceramic tile, cement board, baking sheet, etc.).  The kit, which is available with or without a Hot Head torch, contains three 3 oz. jars of enamel (a white opaque, a blue-green opaque, and a blue-green transparent), mandrels, beads, vermiculite, bread pan, hose clamp, and C-clamp.

Map Gas

Map gas can be purchased at Home Depot, Lowe's, True Value, Ace, etc.  Look for a yellow canister.  Map gas, which ranges in price from $7 to $10, will give 8 hours of steady firing.  It is commonly used by plumbers to sweat pipes. Propane is also a good alternative to map gas and is a third of the price.  It's important, however, to fire your work in the sweet spot of the flame, but we'll talk about that during the workshop. :-) 

eKit

An eKit, which is available for $35, has all of the materials I use during the workshop demos. You'll have a mound of beads, copper shapes, mandrels, 6/20 enamel, liquid enamel, decals, a sifter, millefiori, etc. While your Torch Firing Kit contains all of the enamels you NEED during the workshop, I'll be working with a wide color range of enamels so that I can expose you to some of the beautiful colors of Thompson Enamel. If you decide to purchase additional enamels from July 9 to August 30, a 10% discount will be refunded to your credit card or paypal account following checkout at the website. The discount is good for ENAMELS only and you must leave a message during checkout that you're a member of the eCourse. 

The Book

The book for this eCourse is, "Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: a Workshop in Painting with Fire," by Barbara Lewis (North Light Books, 2011). Signed copies of the book are available to students for the reduced price of $20.  However, the book can also be conveniently purchased  at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Create Mixed Media, etc.  I highly recommend that you purchase the book, if you haven't already.  It was named the Best Craft Book of 2011 at Amazon for a reason.  I believe it's a great reference book for anyone interested in torch-fired enameling.

Because I've been teaching for a while now, I've had the benefit of learning from my students.  I know what techniques may be more challenging and can emphasize different aspects of those techniques.  I love sharing the Painting with Fire immersion method of torching firing.  It is by far the fastest, easiest, and safest way to enamel anything that has a hole (bead, pendant, charm, etc.) Success in creating beautiful torch-fired enamel is at your fingertips!

Details for logging in at the Painting with Fire Workshop Ning!  The Ning site will be operational a week before the eCourse, at which time you'll receive an invitation to join following registration in the class. 

To register for the class, simply go to: http://www.paintingwithfireartwear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36&products_id=330