Back to Basics: Kiln Firing Enamelling Tutorial

Back to Basics: Kiln Firing Enamelling Tutorial by Melissa Keskinkilinc and Teresa Kent.
We are UK based enamellers and have created an enamelling tutorial which shows you how to enamel onto copper.
The video demonstrates how to clean the copper, apply different enamel powders, kiln fire the enamel on copper, and apply surface decoration using glass stringers or threads and millefiori.
If you would like to know more then leave us a comment or follow us on social media, our links are below:
Melissa Keskinkilinc (Melissa's Melting Pot)
/ melissasmeltingpot
www.melissasmel...
/ melissasmeltingpot
/ melsmeltingpot
Teresa Kent (Lappelli Enamel Studio)
/ lappellienamelstudio
www.lappelli.com/
/ lappelli
/ lappelli
Thank you very much for taking the time to watch, we hope it has been helpful!

[@dlavanceful]

I don’t need another crafty hobby but this is intriguing!!!!

[@victoriaandgregoryholme2016]

I've watched many things about copper enamelling but yours is the best...

[@cobaltbluearts]

What a great video, very helpful indeed for someone like me who is finding their feet with enamelling

[@OOEarth]

Good information. You two are just lovely spirits. Listening and watching you two work makes me happy. Thanks for a beautiful space! ♥️🌈

[@accra57]

Thanks for the video, am just starting to try enamelling and watching you both has given me the confidence to try. Thanks

[@seekerout]

Thank you ladies. That's one of the clearest tutorials I've seen. Enjoyable too.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you for the feedback! Really appreciate it!

[@stephaniebatchelor8634]

Thank you, actually felt confident after this. So many books and tutorials are very unclear. This was great

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Oh I’m so glad that it’s been helpful ☺️

[@donaldmacdonald4901]

Thank you ladies, most enjoyable.

[@antonypalmer5804]

I have just done my first enamelling I was so pleased with the results thanks for your help

[@antonypalmer5804]

Thank you that was so informative. I have a kiln but have not even switched it on yet I can hardly wait to get started.😁

[@glendasnailham8275]

Great video ladies to say it was your first very impressed keep up the good work

[@talldrinkofwater5259]

Love this video!!!Having just bought my first enamelling kiln but not having done any enamelling for 35 years this has been inspiring to get started again. Thanks ladies!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you for the fabulous feedback. I'm so glad we could help! Happy enamelling and have a lovely day! Melissa

[@TheArundathie]

Awesome 🥰❤️Thank you so much. Very enlightening 🙏

[@jennifergarrison4324]

Thank you! Very informative!

[@mrgreene3290]

Assuming your kiln temp is in Celsius at 800 as common in UK, which converts to Fahrenheit at 1472 as found in the US.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Yes ☺️ sorry! We didn’t clarify that but yes! You are correct

[@couldwellbe4227]

Well done both! Your video was great. Very informative and useful - thank you 😊

[@heidibacklund3210]

I'm so glad I came across this. All my questions answered with the - dont do this or that will happen.... - bits.

[@4zengrl]

Great job! You complement each other well to give a complete picture. I hope to see more from you!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you very much. We are great friends and both love enamelling! Hope that you found it helpful. Melissa

[@CELTICSAVAGE32]

Awesome video ladies... I learned lots! Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you! Happy to help ☺️

[@northgatetechnology]

That was great. Thanks very much. Can you recommend a good supplier of glass powder and blanks. I'm just about to teach this to some of my Yr 11 pupils for their GCSE DT coursework.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hello! I’m sure at this point you have found some suppliers but I’d recommend looking up: Vitrum Signum for enamels, Harrison and Harrison for copper shapes. Have fun!

[@laurelcapps5017]

Thank you so much for this video. I used to enamel years ago but had forgotten the process.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

It's always good to remind yourself! Happy to help!

[@kirandhanjal2188]

Super, learned a lot, feel like I could give it a go now. Thanks!

[@terryrush8622]

I loved this-very easy to watch over and over!great video

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you very much! I'm very glad that it is helpful. Hope that you have a lovely day and happy enamelling! Melissa

[@samuellaramsey5824]

Thank you so much ladies...I'm new to enameling and learned a lot!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you! Enjoy your enamelling journey!

[@justjess5470]

Great video. I look forward to learning this craft!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do!!

[@sophiatranoris8181]

Just watched this video again, I love it & learned things this time I missed last time, ty!!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

I'm really glad you've found it helpful!

[@moonbeammimi]

Beautiful and very informative!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you! Melissa

[@101mosioatunya]

Well done on your first You Tube video :-) It has been such a useful video for me to watch as I am a total novice at enamelling and have only done one weekend course on it. I badly needed to revise what I learned and am so pleased to have come across your chanel.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you, it's lovely to hear that it has been helpful! You learn so much through practice and experimentation, when I first started I tried to add glitter to a piece, I soon realised that it was made from plastic and not glass when it set on fire! It is a steep learning curve but enjoy every moment. Melissa

[@cindyraerutherford9333]

Thanks and I learned a lot. What what you do if you are making very small copper pieces as far as a trivet? I have about 40 tiny hearts and can't think of a good way to sift onto them and then move them to ?? whatever kind of trivet? Appreciate any advice.

[@mellorgray]

Brilliant learnt so much in 18 mins xxxx.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you for the feedback! Really appreciate it :)

[@mimardelplata]

Great video very well explained As I’m new to learn it’s very helpful ; at the moment I’m using the butane tor h which is quite difficult

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you, torch firing can also be great fun. There are some fabulous artists who use a torch to fire their enamelled work.

[@shelbeytharpe4308]

Thank you! That was great. Wish you had more videos! :)

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

It's something I am working on... Stay tuned 😉

[@ielujskliw]

Thank you ladies - just got my first kit and can’t wait to get cracking 😊

[@JaniceHansel1]

Nice job -- learned a lot!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you! Happy to help!

[@nobe1966]

Hello, first of all thank you very much. Question: How do you know how long to leave the work in the klim?

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hello! You leave it in for about 2 minutes, but sometimes less so keep your eye on it as you can always open the kiln door, take a peek and then close it back up

[@withoutdoors5230]

Great work! Is it possible to enamel a wooden bowl at home? I’ve seen some in sainsburys on mango wood and would love to try it!

[@jacobseidman8242]

Hi, I would like to know at what temp(more or less) one fires black enamel, and at what temp blue enamel? Thanks

[@savgoulis2826]

Hi there could you tell us what configuration you are using?? The make and model including any timer/controllers added? Would really appreciate some buying tips including door styles and clock/temperature displays etc. Best to you xxx

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hey! The make and model is a Paragon SC2 which comes with a regulator and the basic door will do. You can buy it with a window in so you can keep your eye on the piece of work but you don’t need this and it will add to the price. Hope that has helped you make any decisions :)

[@marypaino1327]

Thank you for your considerate tutorial

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Happy to help!

[@Kim-uz9vk]

Hello. Love your videos they are so helpful. I wondered if someone could help answer a question. I've got an efco 135 kiln. What controller should I buy? There's one for about £100 (9950191 EFCO TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER) or one for about £400 ( 4300008 TEMPERATURE REGULATOR TRP008). Thankyou :)

[@shemhaque2758]

wonderful thank you

[@roshnisinghal5408]

hi, thanks for the video. do you have any video on how to fire opal enamels?

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hi there, thank you for watching! I don’t have any more videos yet but will keep that in mind when making more!

[@itssooty]

OMG!!! Thank you ever so much!!!! It's brilliant, I get it now!! I could listen to the both of you forever!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you Judy!

[@toforgetisagem8797]

I rather like this video because it's so much more like home enellimg than many videos. It's more realistic for the hobbist.

[@LetMeThink007]

Enjoyed watching

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you! Melissa

[@cherrypip12]

Thanks it is a great video but I thought enamel was dangerous for your lungs (glass particles) and you should be wearing masks?

[@CJGPickle]

Do I need a shelf in my kiln?

[@davidrolph9213]

that was great for beginnerss

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you!

[@richardbrown9760]

Why don't you melt the thick stringers first and then add the thinner ones ,rather than melt all together?

[@theOdin-odin]

Hello...why have you sealed the window off?

[@treasurehiding9]

What's your advice about lead based powders? I have some from when I used to enamel as a child and I hate to throw all the powders away. Is it toxic to wear jewelry made with this lead based powder? Thanks and great video ladies:)

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hello! Let me start with this, we are not experts so this is based on our knowledge and opinion... I do use some lead based powder in my work and I know a lot of UK based enamellers who used leaded enamels so if I were you I wouldn't throw them away! There are a lot of colours and effects that I have heard you can only get when using leaded enamels, and I do not believe it is toxic to wear jewellery that is made with these enamels. Teresa has also added that she believes that the lead is stable in glass, and that we drink from leaded crystal glasses. Please contact a supplier though for an expert opinion on this, for example Milton Bridge in the UK or Thompson in the US. Hope this has helped!

[@treasurehiding9]

Thank you so much for your help:)

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

No worries! I'm very happy to help!

[@WilliamMCarnes]

Great video, I tried that one time but when it was cooling the glass kept cracking and breaking off. The copper was about 8mm thick. Any ideas how to avoid that? Thank you.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hi Bill, What did you try specifically? I use around 0.8mm too so it shouldn't be the thickness. If the enamel is on too thickly though that can cause to cracking, or if you take it out underfired. The best way to go is thin layers built up rather than a thick layer. I hope that helps! Melissa

[@WilliamMCarnes]

@@MelissaKeskinkilinc thank you I was trying to enamel a belt buckle. It was 8mm thick not 0.8mm

[@Heggebokk]

If the expansion coefficient of the enamel / copper does not match. the enamel loosens from the copper when it cools down. Copper and enamel must behave the same expansion coefficient at fire and cooling down.

[@loriees1]

thank you ladies! I am just learning and this was really helpful. well done!!! I am subscribing. Do you have any more videos?

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hi Lori, Thank you, it's nice to know it has been helpful! I think we are planning on recording another soon hopefully, but this is our only one currently. I hope you have a fabulous enamelling journey!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hi there, Thank you! We don't currently have any more videos but I will look at trying to make a few more soon!

[@NIGHTMARE-zy7tq]

Good video but is that F or C? Also how long do you fire? I have read about a 1 minute and a half at 1200f for the first layer is this corect?

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hi there, this is in degrees C, and you are right that you fire at approximately a minute or two. I fire at 800ish degrees for all of my firings, unless I want to high fire (some enamels change colour at a higher temp) when I fire at 900ish. The time that a firing takes depends on the size of your piece, thickness of the enamels you are firing and how hot your kiln fires at - there are a lot of variables. Rather than focusing on the time, I have always looked and checked my piece. When it has gone through the different stages (sugary,, orange peel, smooth) then I will take it out. I hope that helps you out? Any more questions and I am happy to help :) Melissa

[@NIGHTMARE-zy7tq]

@@MelissaKeskinkilinc Please keep doing these videos! Do you do any wet packing enameling. sorry I do not know the technical name, just starting out. See I love Medieval jewelry and Celtic jewelry and that is what started my interest into this art.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

@@NIGHTMARE-zy7tq Hi, I plan on doing a few more videos :) The term I think you are after is wet laying :) You have to wash the enamels first and grind them down, then you can wet lay it onto a piece. There are some beautiful pieces of jewellery so I definitely understand why you are interested!

[@AlluringBeader]

Are you working with Celsius or Fahrenheit?

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hello! We are working in Celsius 👍

[@sophiatranoris8181]

Wonderful video thank you!I. As a brand new beginner, I learned a lot, but do have a few questions please. Number one, what brand kiln is that? Number two, I love Melissa's fired piece, & it seems there are a few layers on the front. Does the artist then add more counter on the back for balance, etc.? Number three, Melissa's piece could be a striking pendant--Is there a way to make the hole after a piece is enameled or would that crack the enamel? And last, is there a glue like E 6000 that works to add a bail to the top of a double sided enameled piece? Thanks so much!

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hi Sophia, Melissa here with some answers: 1. It is a paragon SC2 kiln 2. If you have initially counter enamelled the piece then I have found that you don't need to add more layers to balance it, but I do understand the trail of thought. Actually, on a few of my pieces I don't actually use counter enamel and this has worked for me, but you do need to experiment and see what works for you as different people have other ways of working. 3/4. After enamelling the piece you cannot add a hole as it would crack the enamel, if you need a hole in it then it needs to be drilled before enamelling. However you can use your E6000 glue or a contact adhesive to glue a bail onto it, or set it using a bezel or prong setting.

[@sophiatranoris8181]

Thanks so much to both! This is a tutorial I will watch again & again & learn from!!

[@stickygumshoes]

Great video! The copper piece they use seems quite thick, nice to use but a bit more expensive.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thank you, I think that the copper is 1.2mm thick off the top of my head... You can use thinner copper though, or even copper shim which is certainly cheaper :)

[@CELTICSAVAGE32]

I love your accents too, by the way. ;)

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Thanks!

[@kwarren7640]

Was the kiln at 800 Fahrenheit?

[@kerrycooper-dean4243]

This is filmed in the UK. They use Celsius, as does The Rest of the World. There are some third world countries that still use Fahrenheit...

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hello! It’s in Celsius rather than Fahrenheit ☺️

[@CELTICSAVAGE32]

Melissa... you are so fricking cute... you remind me of a girl I had a massive crush on in junior high school.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Aww! Thank you 😂That is very sweet!

[@rosemaryprobert8099]

Having two people talking is very irritating. I gave up watching well before the end. Also from a safety point of view, having a rug where you can drop hot metal onto it is not a good idea.

[@MelissaKeskinkilinc]

Hello, I'm sorry that you did not find our video helpful. There are lots of other tutorials online that are available to watch. I hope you find something that appeals to you.

[@heidibacklund3210]

I loved that that human side of it. No scripted perfection here, just us -