Cool Tools | Enameling with Stencils by Jan Harrell

For the the products used in this video please click this link: www.cooltools....
Jan Harrell, Enamelist, Metalsmith, Sculptor and Instructor at the Glassell School of Art in Houston, TX visited Cool Tools to demonstrate how to enamel using stencils. Jan places multiple coats of enamels on earring components and other pieces of metal, making these pieces really pop! She shows how just small parts of stencils can be used to create beautiful patterns.

[@Uniquely-You]

You are 💯 % one of the best teachers I’ve come across! Thank you for taking the time to make this🥰

[@sleepychamaeleon]

Thanks for this video, I found it very informative. I have done a little enamelling and want to do more, and you've given me a lot of ideas! I must say, I like your teaching style very much: very clear, direct and to the point.

[@mary-annkieckhaben5026]

Thank you this look so wonderful.

[@corystreat7605]

You're AWESOME! Thank you, Cory

[@zuekeeper]

Wonderful tutorial. Thanks so much! I really learned a lot every time I watch your videos. Blessings ☺️👏👏👍

[@joanjetson55]

The results are beautiful. Looks like a lot of the powered enamel would become airborne, though.

[@RameyRocks]

I've never heard of this before. Very interesting. I mostly work with polymer clay. I learned a lot from this video.

[@RiMix-ub8gi]

Hi, what is your green solution in little bottle please?..Your work is wonderful!

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi, this is surfactant. You can find it here: cooltools.us/products/surfactant-metal-prep-for-enameling-2-oz

[@bakinka2727]

Quinn is buying from me... Funny! Jan, you are great!

[@mdasgupta8703]

Do you need to wipe off the surfactant ? I see that most of the time you left it on and for the bigger piece you wiped it off . Does it matter ?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hello, you just want a very thin layer. Wiping it off is when there's extra and it needs to be thinned out. Hope this helps!

[@ladytiedi]

Fun and informative video! thanks! Question: can you do this with a torch if you don't have a kiln?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Yes, enamels can be torch fired. Thanks for watching!

[@ladytiedi]

@@cooltoolsvideos Lovely! Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!!!

[@dr.carmencaltagirone5868]

This was a very informative video. Thank you. I didn’t quite catch any information about how you fired the pieces, I.e. what was the temperature and for how long?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hello, Jan fires these at 1520°F for 2 - 3 minutes. Thanks for watching!

[@laylaglantz8876]

Also we can't get the klyr fire spray bottle and can that your using in the uk, can you suggest an alternative that is innexpensive please?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Layla, we do not have any other recommendations to replace klyr fire. We do ship to the UK though!

[@laylaglantz8876]

@@cooltoolsvideos Aw ok, maybe i will do that at some point then, thanks

[@jewellerymagic]

Hi Jan. Love your videos. I only have a small "Firefly" top opening kiln which makes it impossible to put enameled pieces in kiln for a short period of time and removing them. Would torch firing work as well? Regards Margaret Brisbane Oz

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Margaret, most of the techniques I show can be done with a torch. It just takes better control of the flame and overall heating. I enjoy the repeatable results that I get in a kiln -especially when I am trying to make lots of pieces that match. But I also use a torch when I don’t want to heat up the kiln for one piece or just make a quick color sample. - Jan

[@jewellerymagic]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply

[@wendyannh]

Great video; thanks, Jan! I also just watched your basse taille one as well, and learned a lot. I remember loving doing copper enameling a hundred million years ago as a child at camp, but definitely needed an adult reminder/explanation before embarking on this again. A couple of questions: In the basse taille video, you sprayed on the Klyr Fire, but here you used a brush instead. Why the different technique here? Because there are no impressions in the metal? When you finish your pieces, how do you treat the edges? Does the enamel coat then as well as the face surfaces?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Thanks for your re interest in this medium! Good question-In the stencil video, I cannot lift up that plastic stencil without moving it a bit. Therefore, I need a little more of the klyrfire to hold the enamel. In most every other application, basse taille being one of them, I spray and sift and spray and sift and spray and sift. I have a new video that aired that discusses finishing techniques. Enamel does not coat the edges- glass does not like to make that start a turn!! The flat diamond pads or diamond tools for the flex shaft take that extra enamel off the edges. Hope this helps. Jan

[@mellorgray]

Did you leave the back of the earrings blank with no flux? Great techniques. Love watching you work.

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hello, Jan does not add any product to the back of these earrings. Hope this helps, thanks for watching!

[@ozlemkaya4018]

Hi, after enameling on copper, what kind of polishing products should I use? Thanks

[@laylaglantz8876]

What kind of sufectant should i use, I am in the uk? Thank you :)

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Surfactant is soap without detergent in it, so if you can find this, it will do :)

[@laylaglantz8876]

@@cooltoolsvideos Thank you, i think I have some that I used to use to make my own natural shampoo :)

[@res0b24r]

how ti transfer the photo on enamel surface and how to cook that too?

[@ozlemkaya4018]

This is very informative video, thank you, I have learned lot about enameling but I did not catch the name of the flux, what kind did you use?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi, Jan is using the following for flux: www.cooltools.us/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ENT-104-1 Have a good day!

[@zamis21]

Is embossing powder like yu use for stamps, the same as enamel? I have used it to make earrings on copper before. I was wondering if the klyr-fire or the green stuff will work with it? I just use my coffee warmer or Heat gun to melt them with. Thank you

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hello, these are two different products. Enamel is made from glass and needs to be fired in a kiln. Thanks for watching!

[@dianawilson1970]

Hi! Today I discovered this fascinating technique of enameling. I watched several of your videos and they are awesome! I live in Mexico, but I did not find a supplier of all the stuff in my country, that we need to begin.. My question is: Cool Tools sells and envies to Mexico everything? And to begin is very expensive to buy a kiln. Instead of kiln can I use a torch? I have one yet! Waiting for your kind answer, sending to you regards from Mexico!! 😊

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Diana, we happily ship orders to Mexico! You can use a torch for enameling, but it tends to create more of a rustic look and does not generally come out as clean and neat as kiln firing. Thank you for the question. We look forward to your order!

[@dianawilson1970]

CoolToolsVideos thanks for your answer!! I am planning to start enameling with torch because I like the rustic look.. After I will save money to buy a kiln.. Thanks again!!

[@PSMITHjl]

Look into table top kilns (also called, "Trinkit" kiln) like AMACO or Thompson Enamels offer They are the size of a small skillet, and much less expensive for a beginner. :)

[@beadaholic2]

What part of Mexico are you in? I am in Mexico too! I also enamel!

[@debbyb8906]

Such an informative video. Thank you! This is all new to me and I find your videos very helpful. May I ask what is the spray you used when you were fluxing?

[@debbyb8906]

Never mind....I finished watching and got the answer!

[@samjames8561]

Where did you get the sieve set that you use in all your videos? I have looked all over the web and cannot find them in the small size you use. Only 6 inch diameter ones can be found. Thanks

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Saundra, you can find these sifters here: www.cooltools.us/searchresults.asp?Search=sifter+-+large&Submit=Search If you are interested in all of the products used in this video, please click the link below and scroll down. All of the products will be listed. www.cooltools.us/Video-Enameling-with-Stencils-by-Jan-Harrell-s/2567.htm Have a good day!

[@ArleneShermam]

I see that sometimes you wipe off the surfactant and sometimes you don't. Can you clarify that for me?

[@janharrell2188]

I always just want the smallest bit of soap-and anytime I think I have a residue that is too much-I re wipe the surface. The least about of foreign component that is incorporated in enamel, the better. jan

[@janharrell2188]

sorry for the typo--The least amount

[@ilenekay5929]

Does cool tools sell the sifter that is being used, I couldn't find it on the web site? Thank you.

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hello, below is a link to the sifters used. The last two are the 100 and 200 mesh you are looking for. www.cooltools.us/search_results_a/352.html?Search=sifter&Submit=Search In addition, if you are interested in the other products used in this video they can all be found here: www.cooltools.us/Video-Enameling-with-Stencils-by-Jan-Harrell-s/2567.htm

[@mihiec]

What is this green liquid +

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hello, this is surfactant. You can find it here: www.cooltools.us/Surfactant-Metal-Prep-for-Enameling-2-oz-p/enl-016.htm

[@anitaiverson662]

Where did you get the stencil you are using? I looked for it on Cool Tools but didn't find it?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Anita, which stencil are you interested in? If you click the link below and scroll down a little, all the products including the stencils used in this video are listed. Hope this helps! www.cooltools.us/Video-Enameling-with-Stencils-by-Jan-Harrell-s/2567.htm

[@kper6318]

Fantastic and educational video, thank you for sharing your time! If I use a surfactant under liquid enamel do you think it would help stop the enamel from pulling away from the edges? I have the same pulling away issue with torch or kiln no matter the thick/thin of my mix, using liquid or liquid counter (LCE), when completely dry (on copper) when fired.

[@janharrell2188]

Hi , Jan here.. Liquid enamels are clay and water based and would benefit from a very THIN application of surfactant-You put a little on and then completely rub it off. Your liquid enamel should cover much better. Another trick that might help is to file a small edge of metal up for the enamel to have something to grab on to.I have found that the liquid enamels take much longer to dry-they have a little clay - and tend to pull away when too thick or not dry enough. They also like a hot kiln. Hope this helps.

[@LorriCarnevale]

What is in the can and spray bottle and where can we get it

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Lorri, you can find the spray bottle here: www.cooltools.us/Spra-tool-Spray-Gun-Kit-p/acc-217.htm Jan Harrell uses a ratio of about 60-40. 60 of distilled water and 40 of klyr-fire. You can find klyr-fire here: www.cooltools.us/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ENL-001.8 If you are interested in all of the products used in this video please click here and they will all be listed below the video: www.cooltools.us/Video-Enameling-with-Stencils-by-Jan-Harrell-s/2567.htm

[@huskyfluffy]

What is a surfactant? Should we wear a mask while using these products, since as you said the spray has chemical glue in it??

[@janharrell2188]

Surfactant is basically detergent-Dawn-etc that has no hand lotion in it. It breaks up the surface tension of glass so when it is sprayed with a water based product, the droplets are much smaller making for a more even pattern of grain enamel when sifting next. And a mask is always a must-I should have one on because of the silica in the glass but it makes it very hard to talk. jan

[@PSMITHjl]

Great explanation, Thanks! :)

[@nancyburrowes8940]

Doesn't look like you wash surfactant off. Correct. What should we look for in ingredients??

[@gksweetmimi]

Did you put your fluer off Center for a reason?

[@janharrell2188]

I like an off center image-makes it less like a bulls eye-but the stencils certainly could be in the very middle-just an artistic choice. jan

[@iksherman12]

are these counter enameled in back>

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Irene, these were counter enameled before starting the project. Thanks for the question. Have a good day!

[@v3gp45ty4]

Do you dilute your klyr fire before use?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Simon, Jan uses a ratio of about 60 - 40. 60 distilled water and 40 klyr fire. Have a good day!

[@v3gp45ty4]

TY CoolTools ;)

[@angela14962002]

❣❣❣

[@agnesdabjat6531]

Hello, is it possible to have the translation of your explanations in French? Thank you very much in advance...

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hello, unfortunately we do not have this capability. Thanks for reaching out!

[@agnesdabjat6531]

It does not matter. I will try to understand with the pictures, very friendly.