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! 

Forging Away Workshop Openings ...

Hi guys, I wanted to tell you a little more about this workshop, which I think is like getting many workshops for the price of one!  You'll learn ...

• the Painting with Fire technique of enameling ... there's nothing cooler than that because it's so fast, affordable, easy and safe. We'll enamel most of the pieces we'll be using in our bracelet, but you can bring special beads of your own with holes that can accommodate 14-gauge wire.
  
• how to forge round copper beads into square or rectangular shapes during the enameling process.
• how to apply millefiori, lump enamel, and cat whiskers to a copper disc while the piece is on the mandrel.  Take a look at this post for how we'll do that.
• how to make this cool link, which you can use as your focal instead of the millefiori disc, if you'd like.
• to use some of these materials to make a bracelet, and
• how to make an S-clasp!

The dedication page of my book showing the bracelet with the link option!

The millefiori focal as an option.

Examples of forged beads

 I'll be offering this workshop at:

Bead Fest Philadelphia, Saturday, August 20 from 8:30 to 4 p.m., Workshop #2633

Art and Soul, Portland, Tuesday, September 27 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

Bead Fest, Philadelphia, August, 2011

Oh my goodness ... I'm going to get to meet a lot of you in person ... because I know a lot of you go to Bead Fest in August ... I've seen the photos as proof!  Even if you're not in my awesome workshop,  "Forging the Way ... to a new direction in torch-fired enamel jewelry," I hope to see you on the bead floor!  If you decide to take the workshop, not only will you learn the Painting with Fire Technique, but we'll forge beads into flattened and square shapes during the enameling process.  We'll use those beads, plus some others we'll enamel earlier in the day, to make a bangle bracelet.  Learn to make an S-clasp and also some really neat links, courtesy of some heat.

Forging the Way ... to a new direction in torch-fired enamel

Forging the Way (detail)

I hope some of you can break away from your busy schedule for some fun and learning at Bead Fest Philadelphia on August 20, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a flame-inspired creative jewelry project~ 

I was hoping to teach at Bead and Button this year and, in fact, made the first cut ... but not the second.  So, we'll have to try again next year for you Mid-Westerners!