How to Make Enamel Jewelry
Enamel jewelry is quickly becoming the popular jewelry for many age groups. It lasts a long time, is nontoxic, and can have a broad range of shapes, sizes and colors. Enamel jewelery can be traced back to the Egyptians and Romans. Making enamel jewelry can be a good way to make special gifts for people of any age, style or gender. With simple changes in how you present the finished product, like a necklace for women or a key chain for men, you can choose to make a piece of enamel jewelry that can suit almost any lifestyle.
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Things You'll Need
- Electric firing kiln
- Tempered sheet copper
- Metal shears
- Enamel powder (opaque, transparent or opalescent)
- Piece of white paper
- Small mixing bowl
- Watercolor brush
- Asbestos cooling sheet
Instructions
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1
Cut your tempered sheet copper with the metal shears into the size and shape that you desire.
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2
Place this copper shape onto the piece of white paper.
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3
Mix a small amount (about a teaspoon) of enamel powder into the mixing bowl and add just enough water to make a thick paste.
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4
Apply your enamel paste to the piece of copper in an even layer using the watercolor brush. You need to make to make sure that the edges are a little thicker but the inside portion is thinner than the thickness of the metal piece.
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5
Preheat or prepare your electric kiln as directed by the manufacturer's instructions. When you are ready, place your enameled copper piece onto the kiln and cover with the hood. Turn on the kiln. Check to see how the firing process is progressing; you will notice some discoloring in the enamel, which will change back to the original color after it cools.
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Turn off the kiln when the copper has turned glowing red and the enamel looks smooth like glass. Use the slide that comes with your electric kiln to remove your enameled copper and place it on the asbestos cooling sheet.
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When cooled, you can add the proper pieces to make the jewelry that you desire. For necklaces, you can use a little liquid steel or JB Weld to attach a loop then use a piece of lanyard roping to make the necklace.
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Tips & Warnings
You can add multiple colors to your piece by adding coats of enamel, repeating the whole process from applying the paste to the firing. Allow the piece to cool before adding new colors.
If you make mistakes that lead to blackened areas (caused by firing at too high temperature) or cracking on the edges (caused by cooling too quickly) you can file the edges down with a metal file, reapply the color and refire the copper piece. The same thing applies to cracking.
Always use the equipment that comes with your electric kiln. The slide is most important because it helps to prevent you from getting burned or damaging your kiln.
