Pop of Color Enamel Earrings Tutorial

Designer Tips, continued

• Use locking tweezers or enameling spatula to carefully transfer a blank to torching basket (in tripod), and torch fire. 
• Watch closely: when the enamel begins to melt, you'll see a glossy "orange peel" stage where the enamel beads up before slumping to a smooth fired sheen. Fire a bit more, but don't overheat - some colors will scorch.
Use fiber-grip tweezers to carefully grasp fired piece by edges (don't damage the fresh enamel). Set aside and allow to cool in a warm pan of vermiculite.
• Note: Because you are enameling brass and not copper, colors may not always turn out as expected. Many turn out peach after firing. No worries, just come back over the top with with another thin layer to add some color back onto the blank!
• After cooling, scrub firescale off top portion and back with Penny Brite.
• Add ear wire. For best way to open and securely clsoe loops, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).

• 1 pair  #34-003-12-AC  TierraCast Earring Hook Findings w/ 3mm Bead, Black Niobium / Antiqued Copper Plated
• 1 each  #81-500-1995-S  Thompson Opaque 80-mesh Enamel for Metals - Black, Sample
• 2 each  #05-045-06-24  Swarovski 5045 Rondelle Bead, 6mm - Jet
• 1 spool [use 4"]  #47-406-SP  Copper Jewelry Wire, 22ga, Round, 125'
• 2 each  #44-720-59  24ga Brass Stamping Blank, Bar, 38x6.5mm
  or, cut your own blanks from copper strips, and file the corners rounded:
  
• 1 6-pack [use 1/2 of one strip]  #64-981-24-25  Copper Sheet, 24 Gauge, 6x0.25"
  Note: colors will be more reliable with copper.
• 1 each  #86-220-07  Penny Brite Copper Cleaner
• 1 each  #81-510-001  Klyr Fire, Holding Medium

• #69-235 EURO TOOL Metal Punch, Two Hole
• #69-650-S  Small 80-Mesh Screen Sifter
• #65-153  Torching Basket for Enameling by Eugenia Chan
• #69-354-9  EURO TOOL Tripod with Mesh Screen, 9"
• Fire-Resistant Work Surface:  #69-182   Fire Blocks, 12"x12" Ceramic Tiles and/or Cement Tile-Backer Board
• #69-613  Handy Flame II Propane/MAPP Torch   - or -   #69-620  Handy Flame Butane Torch
  (Both of these torches give you a larger flame than the butane micro torches.)
• #69-428  EURO TOOL Fiber-Grip Cross-Locking Tweezer
  
• #69-056  EURO TOOL Side Flush Cutter
• #69-275-02  Wubbers Round-Nose Jewelry Making Pliers 
• Safety Gear: Dust Mask, Protective Eyewear and Nitrile Gloves

• Small spray bottle (cosmetics/travel aisle or craft store) for Klyr Fire
• Fuel Tank Holder:  Large can 1/3 filled with rocks (coffee can size works well to secure fuel tank)
• Vermiculite in warm bread pan or small crockpot

For more information about enameling: see the Enamels & Enameling Supplies section of our website.