Torch Enamelling - Next Class

Getting ready to prep for the next class - Torch Enamelling - using a tripod, trivets and large pieces of copper for enamelling with a torch
Picked up these tripods from Gesswein  (sort of like a mini Rio Grande here in Canada)

If the Bead Enamel Glass goes well this should be a lot of fun too.

Enamel Bead Class - July 7

Still finishing up the last little things for the class
I've got everything stacked and ready to go - but I am sure I"ll forget something

It is at the Glass Shoppe Studio in Ottawa on July 7th  - two classes

I brought home the Finger Bead Removal tools yesterday - got the metal in and drilled and bent them - this morning I taped and painted them and let them dry in the sun.   I finished by putting on a price tag  and packing them up - I made up 25  - 9 for class and 16 in case any of the students wanted to buy one 1 for me and 8 for the tables.

I finished packaging up the iron beads for sale as well and then put them into a bigger flip top box to take with me - some will be left with The Glass Shoppe Studio for sale as well

Then I put the finishing touches on my Workshop booklet and printed them off 

All in all a pretty productive vacation day 

Heat Press and PnP Blue - fun

Got my new press yesterday and could not wait to give it a try

I have to find the right pressure , temp and time so I had to make up some blanks to give me some idea of what the best temps will be -   this way I can do multiple blanks at a time
I was impressed with the quality of this equipment and how heavy it was - its digital and works great
I did from about 150 degrees right up to 250 (where it sort of melted too much ) so stayed down around 166 degrees -  I then also moved it around to ensure the pressure was in different spots as I notice one end was light in a lot of samples - then I found the instructions on how to put more pressure on the plate and I did that -  but I will have to do more tomorrow - it was really hot today in the studio and with this on it made it even hotter

Here is a pic of all the ones I did today - I did them one at a time - the ones to the right were a single pass the ones to the left I did twice and moved them to opposite sides to change the pressure -
tomorrow I'll clean these off and redo them till I get the right mix

I need to make a few dozen bracelets and I find this can be the most tedious making sure the resist is just right 

I can actually make some T-shirts this as well - dual purpose - sweet !

Heat Press for PNP Blue - etching copper

I have a new toy coming to make it easier to work with the PnP Blue etching resist.  This way I can do multiple pieces at a time - the iron is great but it can only do one piece at a time - I should have it tomorrow so I can try it out on the weekend
Its a standard t-shirt press -
Cant wait to try this out - I need to make up a couple of dozen for my upcoming show at least and will make applying on various shapes easier

15" x 15" 

Enamel Beads - Making your own Bead Holder for enamelling beads

Using basic mandrels is fine but I like the type that has the sharp tips to place the metal beads or copper tube on.
I find that the sharp tip makes it easier to put the metal bead or tube on  to work with

Thompson has great Bead Holders with tips but I am in a rush and want to have for my classes

I  made some home made ones last night using 5/32 copper tube (12" long) and some 5/32 bead reamer ends

Was extremely easy and when finished worked great

5/32 coper tubing - 12" long (I like long handles)

the 5/32 bead reamer end fits nicely into the hollow 5/32 tube - 

 I put in about 1/4" of the end of the reamer 

then I used my larger cutters and crimped it down to the end -  be careful to slightly crimp just below end so that when you push on it wont push the reamer down further

nice long handle 

all made up for my classes 

took all of about 10 minutes to make all 8 

Typically you would use old reamers but in this case I needed some fast so I am using my new ones -

I figure approx cost is 3.50 and I could take another .50 off if I only had 6" handles 

New Base Metal Bead Shipment

Just got my new big box O beads - base metal beads  for enamel bead making class in Ottawa for July 7

There are a few items that were out of stock on my last order but they came with this order , along with earring findings, and some tiger tail wire -

These are a good size bead  and interesting shape , the color will change when put into the flame but overall I think a great bead to enamel 

I will make some of these up this weekend to see the effects - going to try a clear coating as well 

There are some disc shapes which will turn out great 

and these fluted bead cap/ends that will look great 

I'll post an enamel sample of each of the bead styles I have in stock  before and after 

this weekend 

Etching is on schedule for this weekend as well as enamelling so I should be posting some actual work for a change -   So very hot in the studio and hot outside  -  I cant win - cold in winter and hot in summer ... 

Blogged Down

Yes very blogged down with personal things to do for family - delayed my Ottawa Enamel Bead class as well - will have new things up this week  - including more etching , enamel beads and electroforming  -Ottawa Bead class delayed to july 7th  so stay tuned