An interesting use of torch-fired enamel!

I have to remind myself that not everyone who uses the immersion process of enameling is a jewelry maker.  Recently I received an email from Robin of The Dancing Goats saying that he bought my book and taught himself how to torch-fire enamel to be used as an accent to his spectacular turned wood.   Isn't this stunning?   I just love the enamel tide pool with the turquoise inlay!  Take a look at his etsy shop.  You'll find some really beautiful things ...

Do you use the immersion process to enamel items other than jewelry?  I'd love to feature it here. 

Team Building

Last night was a team building event for 12 staff of Intel Security at Tech Data, Clearwater, Florida.   One of their lovely team members, Tracy, had been to Painting with Fire before and tipped them off that we might provide something different for their team building event.  Alex and Silvana conducted reconnaissance ... what could we do for their team, could we have food, would their people be interested? Jim was the lead on our end of the mission.  

We knew we wanted to do a combination of "hot and cold" ...  torch-fired enameling and sea glass wire wrapping.  Bren McCoy designed the project, organized all of the supplies and packaged them in a kraft paper jewelry box tied with a sari ribbon.  The ribbon color indicated the enamel color they be using on their enamel bead.  While this was going on at the studio, Jim was doing what he loves best, which is to cook!  He prepared a great menu for the team.  Laura and David threw themselves into the project by pricing jewelry, setting up the studio, cleaning, etc.

So the night arrives!  We're all abuzz!  Here's a "Before" photo.  

The Painting with Fire team assuring there were no burns! 

After the necklaces were assembled, the troops were rounded up for an "After" shot. 

Compare the smiles on the "After" photo to the ones of the "Before" photo!  They definitely had fun with the event, with their peers, and left with a personal creation and a good memory. 

Thanks to the whole Intel Security team for trusting us and a special thanks to Alex, Silvana and Tracy for making it happen!  

White is White ... Except for When It's Not!

Thompson Enamel produces 9 different white enamels, which gives the enamelist some nice variety.  So, if you're looking for a more translucent white, you can find that with 1040.  If you're looking for a very opaque white, you can find that with 1055 and 1060.  But, if you're looking for one of my favorites, you'll find that with 1020, which is also very opaque.

While I like 1055 and go to it often, I find 1020 to be much more reactive to copper when torch-firing the enamel.  To me this means that with just a little over-firing, you can get gorgeous blue-green freckles peeking through the surface of the white enamel.  If you've got a big lampworking torch like I do, I can over-fire enamel all day for special effect, with very little effort.  If you have a smaller torch, the fact that 1020 is so reactive will make a big difference.

Today I took a break from packing for Art Retreat on the Prairie to play with some Titanium White.  Here are the results ...

I really got into decorating #1.  You know the old joke, "How many artists does it take to do a painting?  The answer is "two."  One to do the painting and the other to shoot him when he's done."  Yes, it's easy to continue to play with color because it's so addictive! 

#2 was simply several layers of 1020.  When you over-fire enamel, it pulls away from the edges, leaving you a rusty, crusty frame around the piece ... which I LOVE!  This piece is sans decoration now, but will probably get a ceramic decal!  

#3 is given the same firing technique, but is decorated with Flame Orange and Raspberry (transparent).  

Speaking of 2836 - Raspberry ... if this is one of your favorite colors, please know that it is currently unavailable and will not be available for AT LEAST a month.  There are issues with the availability of the ingredients that go into make the glass.   Now for the shameless plug ... We have some in stock. 

One of the perks of being a Thompson Enamel distributor is knowing what's available, what's in the pipeline, and what's dried up like a cracked river bed ... at least temporarily. 

The eCourse returns!

By popular request, the eCourse is being offered again. You'll get 3.5 hrs of enameling videos, 30 minutes of video content on some of my favorite tools, access to the site for four months from the date of purchase, scheduled chats, and personal guidance. We're doing things a little differently this time. All of the videos have been loaded at the site so that when you enter the site for the first time, it's all there. In the past I've introduced new videos over a three week period. I think this will be a welcomed change. 

This video on Compound Shapes is one of the eCourse videos and will give you a taste of what you'll learn. 

An eKit that accompanies the eCourse is available. The kit contains everything you need for the projects and is offered to you as a convenience. During the first 30 days of your registration, you'll receive 10% off on enamel purchases. You can read more about it here. 

It would also be useful for you to own the bead pulling station, which is the workhorse of this system.  Check out the torch-firing kit here. We also sell the kit without a torch. 

We're over the holidays and while we catch our breath, why not learn something new!