High marks for safety instruction! The techniques introduced are also easy to learn, using lots of on hand tools. Well lit, easy to understand , nice all around tutorial.
Am I the only one that thinks after he put the red on the black n fired it that it looked like a face from the side . With the hoke in the pendent makes it look like an eye. 😆
Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. I have read a book and watched a video that I purchased, and your lesson is the best! I see what I've been doing wrong, and I cannot wait to enamel again!
You are AWESOME! I tried enameling some pieces yesterday without learning how. Guess what I did? I fired from the top. Gee, no wonder it was a disaster! lol. Now, I will go forward properly informed. Thanks a million!
Hey! This was actually a good video! I watched this while sipping beers and I learned a whole bunch. Now I'm not knocking expert village and all but they skipped the safety part and were done by time I finished my first can of Bud. But I was able to get though a 6 pack on this and retained at least 50% which is super for an in dept video explaining a multi-step process. I actually came on here because I work in clay but need to make a Jewelry piece for my wife. I was thinking of metal/ clay combo. I was going to make her a nice baking dish but it blew up in the kiln. So I needed something to give her something that I made because everything I make is for other people. So i NEED to get this down! Thanks so much for going super slow and showing examples. I was able to pause to use the bathroom and pop another beer. Very informative and entertaining. Maaaan I sure hope I can pull all of this off. I scribbled down some ideas in a sketch book. Hope it turns out better then the drawing.
Your comment made my day!!! I am now going to measure all our classes by how many beers it takes to get through it! I hope your project comes out awesome and that your wife loves it!
I've torch fired enamels on copper and can't seem to get the reds bright enough. I'm using orient express red and it comes out way dark after it cools, almost has a gray or black tint, just not the bright red its supposed to be. I've tried several diffent reds and they all seem to have that problem. I'm using thompson enamels. thoughts on why that is?
Thanks for the video, I am about to experiment with this method but I want to know if any of the enabled item is dropped, will it break like a glass. My project is for a 9 year old and I am sure she will drop it at on time or another. Thank you.
Just bought Steve's book and was directed to his video here, which is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much. I had a question about the counter enamel. When you go to fire the piece to enamel the front (after you've counter enameled the back), how do you keep from over-firing the back of the piece (the counter enamel) since the flame is going to be on it directly this time?
What am I doing wrong when my enamel chips? It seems like it looks great when I am finished with the 3rd coat and then all of a sudden there is a chip. I clear my copper with penny brite ~ wear plastic gloves, use tweezers to pick up my pieces... maybe am I putting on too many layers of enamel or heating to hot??? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
what is a minimum thickness to maintain in enameling on silver,, do the silver with becoming soft in the process, i want a video working on silver, where do I buy powder enameling
It's probably best to enamel on fine silver if you are interested in working with silver. If you are venturing off into other metals like sterling silver you need to find the right enamel to work with that metal. Steven mainly works with copper and the enamel used is to be used with copper and fine silver. We work with 24, 22, 20 and 18 gauge. Check out his class, Torch Enameling Tips (link below). www.beaducation.com/online_classes/182-torch-enameling-tips-and-tricks?cat=4
I very much enjoyed your class I appreciate when an instructor is very thorough in his/ her explanation. I feel confident enough to fire my first piece. By the way your pieces were beautiful
oh this has been a mystery for me for many years! it looks so simple to do too you make it look a breeze but that's practice. I cant wait to put some money back and order some powders for the projects. I guess I need a hardner of some kind.
Hello, I plan to enamel some copper bezels. Is it possible with the help of a holding agent to do this on vertical side? Will the enamel slip as it melts or will it stay in place? Thanks.
Great class for an enamelling newbie like me! Thank you so much! Some instructions I read recommended using holding agent before sifting enamel. Is it a must or optional? I noticed that Steven didn't use any holding agent and sifted enamels directly onto copper.
Hi! Yes, you can use holding agent if you would like. Because the pieces in this class are flat you don't have to, but it's a nice tool to have in your enameling supplies. Have fun!
This is a great tuturial, I'm just learning. My question is, if I am enameling a small piece on wire mesh, how do I keep the counter enamel from sticking to the mesh when enameling the other side? Thank you!
I have a quick question and having trouble getting an answer. How safe is it to do enameling at home? I live in a small apartment and don't have an extra room to set up a studio.
+pbbiscuit Hi! Thank you for your question. I think watching the Safety step in Steven James Letterpress Torch Enameling class will answer you question. Here's a link to the tutorial: th-cam.com/video/7U2X6s1YDlc/w-d-xo.html
💝 your class ~Question: once you have enamelled a piece ~ can you then rivet it to another piece of metal (I want to use crystal snap rivets) ~ or do you have to do this first?
You probably want to punch the holes in your metal first before enameling. I have seen designs with riveted enamel pieces. We don't teach that but I am sure you can find something online.
my question is this. once i counter enamel and then do a first coat and then want to do i design i feel like i’m roasting and ruining the first coat as i now fire it again and it takes a while to take the second coat (whether it’s a stencil design or scratch design) through the proper stages of firing. do you ever just partially fire the first/base coat when you’re planning on doing a design and will need to fire it again?
when I heat the counter enamel to melt the front side, my counter enamel starts smoking? Is my flame too close or is something else going on? I'm using an oxy-acetylene torch.
Fabulous tutorial! I do have a couple of questions though and hope that it's not to late to get an answer... First, can I add fine silver beads to the finished project? I'm curious about whether or not they would stick or if perhaps the silver might get to hot and burn the enamel. Second, when using a holding agent (I use Thompsons) (on a dapped piece) should I be adding 1/3 parts H 2/0 to the Thompsons? I thought that I was supposed to however, when I did, the enamel didn't stick. I feel like I wasted the holding agent as I made a batch of it! Thanks! ;0)
+Beaducation Hi again Teri! I just heard back from Steven and here is what he had to say... Always happy to help! First, I NEVER dilute the holding agent. I use it as is, right out of the bottle. Second the dapped copper might be 'dirty' and that is why the enamel isn't holding (fusing) onto the metal. As for the silver balls, super fun idea, but they won't get too hot to melt the enamel - it is the opposite, the enamel might get to hot and melt the silver. I've done this with wire and it is quite possible with balls, just need to monitor the process, so they don't become blobs, but that could be cool too! I hope that helps.
You're my HERO! You know, I watched one of your videos on enameling (that's where I learned about Thompsons holding agent...went right to the laptop and ordered 2 bottles...thank you very much ;0) ) and I could almost swear you said to dilute the holding agent with 1/3 water! When my package arrived I even remember going back to TH-cam and searching for that same video just to be sure... Anyway, I'm on my way back down to my shop to do some more enameling....Yeah me! Oh, and you!...My HERO! Thank you again and Have a Wonderful Christmas... Or Happy Holidays.... My Warmest Wishes to you and yours, Teri
Hi! You can also use fine silver with these enamels. You can find all the supplies on our website: www.beaducation.com/shop/enamel-patina-resin-enameling-supplies-c-141_425.html
I am not sure if we have those three. There are two that I believe are Red Flame and Marigold Yellow. You can check out our opaque enamels by clicking the link below. www.beaducation.com/product_categories/201
+Key Oke Hi Key! Counter enameling helps to stabilize a piece, especially when the metal is very thing. There are instances when I DON'T counter enamel and of course the project is at risk of chipping/cracking.
Se llama enamel. Es echo de vidrio en forma de polvo. Es importante usar una máscara protectora cuando se trabaja con este material beaducation.com/pc/201-enamel-mixed-media-enameling-supplies
High marks for safety instruction! The techniques introduced are also easy to learn, using lots of on hand tools. Well lit, easy to understand , nice all around tutorial.
I love this guy! What a fantastic video. Super clear and concise instruction. Thanks again, Beaducation!!
Am I the only one that thinks after he put the red on the black n fired it that it looked like a face from the side . With the hoke in the pendent makes it look like an eye. 😆
I see it now! lol
Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. I have read a book and watched a video that I purchased, and your lesson is the best! I see what I've been doing wrong, and I cannot wait to enamel again!
You are AWESOME! I tried enameling some pieces yesterday without learning how. Guess what I did? I fired from the top. Gee, no wonder it was a disaster! lol. Now, I will go forward properly informed. Thanks a million!
Hey! This was actually a good video! I watched this while sipping beers and I learned a whole bunch. Now I'm not knocking expert village and all but they skipped the safety part and were done by time I finished my first can of Bud. But I was able to get though a 6 pack on this and retained at least 50% which is super for an in dept video explaining a multi-step process. I actually came on here because I work in clay but need to make a Jewelry piece for my wife. I was thinking of metal/ clay combo. I was going to make her a nice baking dish but it blew up in the kiln. So I needed something to give her something that I made because everything I make is for other people. So i NEED to get this down! Thanks so much for going super slow and showing examples. I was able to pause to use the bathroom and pop another beer. Very informative and entertaining. Maaaan I sure hope I can pull all of this off. I scribbled down some ideas in a sketch book. Hope it turns out better then the drawing.
Your comment made my day!!! I am now going to measure all our classes by how many beers it takes to get through it! I hope your project comes out awesome and that your wife loves it!
I've torch fired enamels on copper and can't seem to get the reds bright enough. I'm using orient express red and it comes out way dark after it cools, almost has a gray or black tint, just not the bright red its supposed to be. I've tried several diffent reds and they all seem to have that problem. I'm using thompson enamels. thoughts on why that is?
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"We're jazzed for crafts!"
Thanks for the video, I am about to experiment with this method but I want to know if any of the enabled item is dropped, will it break like a glass. My project is for a 9 year old and I am sure she will drop it at on time or another. Thank you.
+private91205 sorry for the late reply! Enameled pieces are sturdier than straight glass but yes, if dropped you run the risk of it cracking.
Just bought Steve's book and was directed to his video here, which is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much.
I had a question about the counter enamel. When you go to fire the piece to enamel the front (after you've counter enameled the back), how do you keep from over-firing the back of the piece (the counter enamel) since the flame is going to be on it directly this time?
You're a fantastic instructor!
Great tutorial by the way :) . YOu mention your web site often what's the URL ?
www.beaducation.com/
What am I doing wrong when my enamel chips? It seems like it looks great when I am finished with the 3rd coat and then all of a sudden there is a chip. I clear my copper with penny brite ~ wear plastic gloves, use tweezers to pick up my pieces... maybe am I putting on too many layers of enamel or heating to hot??? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Debra! It sounds like your enamel is too thick. Try doing only two layers, or thinning out each of your three layers. Good luck!
@@beaducation do u mean sprinkling less enamel before firing?
what is a minimum thickness to maintain in enameling on silver,, do the silver with becoming soft in the process, i want a video working on silver, where do I buy powder enameling
It's probably best to enamel on fine silver if you are interested in working with silver. If you are venturing off into other metals like sterling silver you need to find the right enamel to work with that metal. Steven mainly works with copper and the enamel used is to be used with copper and fine silver. We work with 24, 22, 20 and 18 gauge. Check out his class, Torch Enameling Tips (link below).
www.beaducation.com/online_classes/182-torch-enameling-tips-and-tricks?cat=4
I absolutely love your class, I have watched many times, thank you for being so awesome and share of your knowledge
Glad you liked it Delfina! Steven is the best :) Hey if you haven't already, maybe consider subscribing to this channel goo.gl/XS9hu1
:)
I very much enjoyed your class I appreciate when an instructor is very thorough in his/ her explanation. I feel confident enough to fire my first piece. By the way your pieces were beautiful
It was a very informative class. It cleared most of my questions about the resources needed and and techniques. Thanks!
I love your tutorials! Thank you so much. I really like the roku look when I do enameling, it's so linerating and totally unique!
oh this has been a mystery for me for many years! it looks so simple to do too you make it look a breeze but that's practice. I cant wait to put some money back and order some powders for the projects. I guess I need a hardner of some kind.
Absolutely brilliant so well explained, thank you very much
Grateful for this class.
very well presented...giving hope to doing enameling...thanks
Hello, I plan to enamel some copper bezels. Is it possible with the help of a holding agent to do this on vertical side? Will the enamel slip as it melts or will it stay in place? Thanks.
Nitty Bun yep a holding agent is exactly what you need. We sell it on our site if ya need it :) beaducation.com/zen_products/4594-holding-agent
Great class for an enamelling newbie like me! Thank you so much! Some instructions I read recommended using holding agent before sifting enamel. Is it a must or optional? I noticed that Steven didn't use any holding agent and sifted enamels directly onto copper.
Hi! Yes, you can use holding agent if you would like. Because the pieces in this class are flat you don't have to, but it's a nice tool to have in your enameling supplies. Have fun!
This is a great tuturial, I'm just learning. My question is, if I am enameling a small piece on wire mesh, how do I keep the counter enamel from sticking to the mesh when enameling the other side? Thank you!
Hi, using the trivet will help. The trivet will just barely hold your piece up (the the 3 points) and will likely not stick to your counter enamel.
Great tutorial! Thanks so much.
I have a quick question and having trouble getting an answer. How safe is it to do enameling at home? I live in a small apartment and don't have an extra room to set up a studio.
+pbbiscuit Hi! Thank you for your question. I think watching the Safety step in Steven James Letterpress Torch Enameling class will answer you question. Here's a link to the tutorial: th-cam.com/video/7U2X6s1YDlc/w-d-xo.html
💝 your class ~Question: once you have enamelled a piece ~ can you then rivet it to another piece of metal (I want to use crystal snap rivets) ~ or do you have to do this first?
You probably want to punch the holes in your metal first before enameling. I have seen designs with riveted enamel pieces. We don't teach that but I am sure you can find something online.
my question is this. once i counter enamel and then do a first coat and then want to do i design i feel like i’m roasting and ruining the first coat as i now fire it again and it takes a while to take the second coat (whether it’s a stencil design or scratch design) through the proper stages of firing. do you ever just partially fire the first/base coat when you’re planning on doing a design and will need to fire it again?
I do not know the answer to this question but I have emailed Steven and will hopefully be able to get you an answer soon.
when I heat the counter enamel to melt the front side, my counter enamel starts smoking? Is my flame too close or is something else going on? I'm using an oxy-acetylene torch.
Hi Heidi, yes, try moving your torch a little further away from your counter enamel, if you're still having problems, please let us know!
Excellent instructions thank you
Thank you so much! Very comprehensive and enjoyable lesson.
Thanks Tammie!
Fabulous tutorial! I do have a couple of questions though and hope that it's not to late to get an answer... First, can I add fine silver beads to the finished project? I'm curious about whether or not they would stick or if perhaps the silver might get to hot and burn the enamel. Second, when using a holding agent (I use Thompsons) (on a dapped piece) should I be adding 1/3 parts H 2/0 to the Thompsons? I thought that I was supposed to however, when I did, the enamel didn't stick. I feel like I wasted the holding agent as I made a batch of it!
Thanks! ;0)
+Teri Steinborn Hi there! I am going to email Steven to see what his advice is on this. I'll check back in with his answer :)
+Beaducation Hi again Teri! I just heard back from Steven and here is what he had to say...
Always happy to help!
First, I NEVER dilute the holding agent. I use it as is, right out of the bottle. Second the dapped copper might be 'dirty' and that is why the enamel isn't holding (fusing) onto the metal.
As for the silver balls, super fun idea, but they won't get too hot to melt the enamel - it is the opposite, the enamel might get to hot and melt the silver. I've done this with wire and it is quite possible with balls, just need to monitor the process, so they don't become blobs, but that could be cool too!
I hope that helps.
You're my HERO! You know, I watched one of your videos on enameling (that's where I learned about Thompsons holding agent...went right to the laptop and ordered 2 bottles...thank you very much ;0) ) and I could almost swear you said to dilute the holding agent with 1/3 water!
When my package arrived I even remember going back to TH-cam and searching for that same video just to be sure...
Anyway, I'm on my way back down to my shop to do some more enameling....Yeah me! Oh, and you!...My HERO!
Thank you again and Have a Wonderful Christmas... Or Happy Holidays....
My Warmest Wishes to you and yours,
Teri
Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing!
can I use sterling silver for enameling instead of copper?
No, it needs to be a pure metal. You can use Fine Silver.
what other media can be used with this method of enamel? Only Copper?
Hi! You can also use fine silver with these enamels. You can find all the supplies on our website: www.beaducation.com/shop/enamel-patina-resin-enameling-supplies-c-141_425.html
Thank you!
What are the names of the three colors you used in your first demo?
I am not sure if we have those three. There are two that I believe are Red Flame and Marigold Yellow. You can check out our opaque enamels by clicking the link below.
www.beaducation.com/product_categories/201
Thank you for sharing
Do you have to have a counter enamel on the opposite side?
+Key Oke Hi Key! Counter enameling helps to stabilize a piece, especially when the metal is very thing. There are instances when I DON'T counter enamel and of course the project is at risk of chipping/cracking.
what if you do not want to do the counter layer on the back
Hi! If you don't counter enamel the back there is a large chance your front enamel with flake off.
Que material emplea para decorar la pieza y como se llama
Se llama enamel. Es echo de vidrio en forma de polvo. Es importante usar una máscara protectora cuando se trabaja con este material
beaducation.com/pc/201-enamel-mixed-media-enameling-supplies
What gauge are your sifting cups?
www.beaducation.com/search?qry=sifter
Thanks so much! Awesome tutorial!
If you haven't already, please consider subscribing to our channel to learn more :) goo.gl/3ErJzq
oops, I hit send too fast. What I meant to say was...THANKS Kimberly! Steven is a pretty amazing instructor eh?
Can you use regular glass frit to do this ?
Hi! You want to make sure all the glass you're using has a very similar COE to be successful.
Thank you so much!