Clean the blanks with Penny Brite to remove all oils.
Sift a light coat of enamel in desired pattern onto blanks. Do not overcoat or you will not see the embossing underneath.
Carefully transfer a blank to torching basket (in tripod, over a heat-resistant work surface), and torch fire. Begin heating from the back, and carefully move to the top, so you don't blow the enamel off. 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.
Continued Below...
One or more parts (or tools) used in this project are no longer available, so we've moved the whole project into the "Misc Jewelry Tutorials with Issues" area while we decide what we want to do about it: find a good sub, re-make this project, or retire the tutorial.
Designer Tips (continued)
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. For example, red and robin’s egg opaque colors were added to the base. They both turned out peach after firing. No worries, just come back over the top with the red and mint translucent to add some color back onto the blank! (These enamels are not technically approved for use with brass, but we love the way they look on the embossed Vintaj brass blanks.)
After cooling, scrub firescale off back with Penny Brite.
Add beads to one headpin and wrap them on the cooled enamel blank. For instructions on wrapping loops, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF)
Cut the head off the second pin and wrap a loop to the top of the blank. Add the rondelle bead and wrap it onto the ear wire.
2 each #05-747-12-431 Swarovski 5747 Double Spike Bead, 12mm - Rose Gold 2X (this color is no longer available, Golden Shadow linked as a potential sub instead)
2 each #05-748-12-185 Swarovski 5748 Arrow Bead, 12mm - Red Magma
