Easy Enameled Flowers: Torch-Fired Enameling!

Make easy enameled flowers with Torch-Fired enameling! Create beautiful flowers from metal and glass enamel - without a kiln! Get free flower patterns when you visit my website: nancylthamilto.... No email signups required. Just click and print! Google Docs file.
Warning: please be sure to mount your torch before using. Always be aware of where your hands are and don't run them in front of the torch. Set up your work area so that your hands don't have to cross in front of the flame! As you saw in the video, it's very easy to burn yourself. Either quench your mandrels or always lay them down with the hot end away from you. Burns are a real and present danger.
While you're visiting, why not spend some time exploring my huge website at: NancyLTHamilto...
View more of my work on Pinterest: / my-work-the-things-tha... . Don't forget to check out my other boards too!
I'm also on Facebook: / nancylthamiltonjewelry
Here's my Instagram site: / nancy.lt.hamilton
@nancy.lt.hamilton
I hope you enjoyed this video! If you did, please don't hesitate to "like" and "subscribe"!!! Thanks for watching!
Links to my Related Videos on KZbin
How to Make Metal Flowers, Part 1: • How to Make Metal Flow...
How to Make Metal Flowers, Part 2: • How to Make Metal Flow...
Wire Working Video, Part 1: • DIY Fume Extractor for...
The Wire-Worked Pendant Video, Part 2: • The Wire-Worked Pendan...
Wire Working Video, Part 3: Wire-Working, Intermediate Shapes Video: • Wire-Working, Interme...
Creating a Frame Video Part 1: • Great way to Set Stone... This video shows you how to set an enamel cabochon - one method for setting your enamels.
Creating a Frame Video Part 2: • Great Way to Set Stone...
Riveting Basics - ways to attach enamels with cold-connections: • Riveting Basics Tutori...
Links to Related Webpages at NancyLTHamilton.com
Chasing and Repoussé: nancylthamilto...
Plain Rivets - for another method of attaching your enamels: nancylthamilto...
Tube Rivets - yet another method for attaching enamels: nancylthamilto...
There may be affiliate links below. When you purchase through these links, they help to support this free channel. Also, my links are via Smile Amazon who donates to a charity of my choice. As some of you know, I started a community jewelry studio at Chimera Arts in Sebastopol, CA (where I teach). Chimera Arts is a non-profit makerspace and a great community of makers. Thank you! (www.Chimeraarts...)
Tools
Tripod with thin screen - amzn.to/2XMuyLP
Diamond core drill - drills that have hollow tips to allow material to exit
Remember: You want diamond drills, whether they are drill bits, hollow core or cylindrical, to match the drill bits you will be drilling your holes with. Remember: always make your holes larger than you want.
Hot Head Torch: amzn.to/2xnmhiw, $54.98 on 6/30/19
Similar to Hot Head Torch - Devardi's Torch Head amzn.to/2LtGpaT
Iwatani butane torch head: amzn.to/2xjmuDc
Butane canisters: Check Asian markets or restaurant supply stores. You can order on Amazon too - if you don't live in California or in other states where cannister sales are banned: amzn.to/2RLCozS.
Bread Pans by ChefMade - set of 4 - amzn.to/2Nxik5Q
Candle Tins Round 2.5" diameter - amzn.to/2XhKUN0
Square Silver Metal Tin 2.5" - amzn.to/2ZZberQ
Magnets for bread pan holders: K&J Magnetics (the BEST! - Love them): www.kjmagnetic...
Mandrels: Painting with Fire Shop: www.etsy.com/s.... Get one of small, med, large, extra large if you want to have options. If not, start with a medium mandrel and go from there.
Cross-lock tweezers: amzn.to/2Xgqcx1
Materials
Copper flower shapes on Etsy. There isn't a great variety available. Saw your own! Get my free patterns! www.etsy.com/s.... nancylthamilto...
Thompson Enamels: 1000 series is opaque, 2000 series is transparent. Choose a minimum of 2 ounces for the dipping method. thompsonenamel...
Jewelers brass (85%cu 15%zn)
I can't find gilding metal, anywhere in the USA!
Vermiculite: amzn.to/2XFaLh1
Other Links:
Barbara Lewis's book "Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry": amzn.to/2LtR1qm

[@mellorgray]

Sometimes i wake up and think I need a Nancy fix. Thank you for all you do

[@theresagerman3717]

You are the BEST educator when it comes to jewelry. Thank you for sharing.

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

Wow, thank you!

[@allanthompson9695]

What can I say. Pretty amazing. Ive never watched any enameling before, so I had no idea what to expect. Really interesting. Beautiful pieces. Thank you Nancy.

[@SupremeSkeptic]

Loved the intro! TRRRRRRAAAA!!!!

[@melissamitchellmoline]

Great video!! Thanks a ton. I’m a beginner enameler and you just answered a ton of questions for me.

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

I'm so glad! Have fun and don't burn those fingers!

[@cynthiahicks1909]

I enjoy your teaching technique and really appreciate your ability to use things already available in my art studio so I don't have to spend on expensive equipment.

[@cindycreator]

Hello Nancy. I've been watching your channel for years. You are by far my absolute favorite KZbin channel. You're a great teacher and you're very entertaining as well. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry you burned yourself. I hope there's no permanent scaring or nerve damage. It must have been so very painful. And enamel in your finger!!! Uhggggg!!! I wish you well and I hope you had a speedy recovery. I look forward to your videos.

[@Babette17C]

What a wonderful video - you were very clear with the BE CAREFUL parts. I really appreciated that. THANKS, Nancy.

[@Lizfoolery]

You crack me up, Nancy! I'm glad I found your channel. I'm a metalsmith, but I've never tried enameling. Thanks for explaining it in such a real way. I'm excited to try!

[@kabele749]

Thanks Nancy for sharing your time and talent. Love your videos!

[@vicflocay]

Lovely work, lovely way to teach and love you !!!

[@rondaleblanc2374]

The dapping punch tip so pieces fit is very helpful. Wonderful video! Thank you.

[@agnescleary2312]

Thanks so much for the info and the inspiration, Nancy! I have Barbara Lewis's book and although it's great, I've not done much with it as I found it a bit overwhelming. Your video breaks down the process so well and makes it so accessible. I'm ready to try again. Thanks, Nancy!

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

Yay! HAve fun! Thanks!

[@crystalfabulous]

Thanks a billion Nancy ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@maryd86]

You had me at (5:18), "Everybody stop. You're all irritating." Haha! I know, right?! Liked and Subscribed. Now let's see if I can learn something from someone who speaks my language. Seriously though, inanimate object should just do what I'm thinking!

[@freewaybaby]

Very good lesson... and very pretty flowers! I haven't done enamel, except for minor repair on existing pieces and not sure (at ALL) that it was a proper repair. I hate that you get injured in the shop, but I'm glad to see I'm not the only one... LOL! I walked around for 7 years with a jeweler's saw blade in my thumb, side to side; very interesting x-ray! I don't think most people understand the dangers in a jewelry work shop.

[@lorraine8368]

Wow! I'm just getting into enameling and am so grateful for this! Something gorgeous to inspire to make... I love these! You are funny and creative, thank you for sharing

[@seidomonkey5395]

Thank you so much Nancy. Your an awesome teacher. I’ve learnt so much from you! As I’m in the uk. Things aren’t always so accessible for jewellery. Thanks again and I hoep your hands are healing well. Bless you. Take care 🤗

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

Hands are great! Never again! Thanks.

[@czeidman8908]

Wow!! Love your work and love the glasses!

[@czeidman8908]

Would you consider gloves to protect your hands? Or is that just the price you are willing to pay?

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

@@czeidman8908 I have never burned my hands before (at least like that!) in over 20 years! Gloves would be so cumbersome. Mounting the torch is imperative as well as not getting devasting news and then working. Learning curves go on and on! Thanks for your concern, I appreciate it so much. Never doing that again! Thanks for watching.

[@Gasp7000]

@@NancyHamiltonJewelry : Well I was impressed that you included your battle wounds-it’ll make me be more preventative when I try this out. It’s encouraging to know it’s not a regular occurrence, though, because my impression throughout the video is that it might’ve been, so this clarification helps, ha!

[@samuellaramsey5824]

You are amazing!!! The flowers are just gorgeous and the instructions are excellent. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@flyingcheff]

OMG! I am just staring at my computer grinning cuz you're back!! (I should talk...). Darling! So fab!

[@bettylively2033]

Thank you. Looks fun to do. You certainly made your point about safety. Bandaid in the last shot!

[@Melissabella]

The finished product is just beautiful. Thank you so much!

[@MsJulianaPedroso]

As always, such a good video! So much fun to watch... Thanks!!

[@michelleknight7362]

Hi Nancy Where did you buy your powder enamel? I know you did this two years ago but this is something that I’ve been interested in doing so I can get more creative using copper because sterling silver prices are just off the chart right now and people don’t have a lot of money and they’re not spending money frivolously I find more people being more frugal so I’m having to adapt my jewelry designing to make it more affordable for my clients… Now I did go to Rio grande and if that’s the same powdered enamel then would you let me know or is there a better place maybe cheaper than Rio Grande thank you so much I really enjoyed watching you you’re so true to this Jewelry designing world and I appreciate it thank you so much Michelle

[@igneousmoon]

Love your videos. I have a fluffy cat, and even I forget to lock her out she comes running along my bench as soon as I start using a torch. She also loves to steal wire and take it to a particular room in our house to play with. Now if I drop anything and can't fund it, I just check that room the next morning. She's always found it :p

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

Hah! I miss my studio kitties! Lou, who was in the video in a cameo, died last year. Thought she'd appreciate the shot though as she liked to be in my videos! Have fun and thanks.

[@The3Kosmos3]

A great episode.

[@liz-annawaugh955]

Thanks again, Nancy!

[@Komponents]

I use my lampwork mandrels that I've bent and also buy 1/16" steel welding rods and cut them to length. If you drop your mandrel into a jar of water as soon as you remove your enameled component, the glass will all flake off. If it doesn't , you just have to put the mandrel back into the flame for a couple seconds and then back in the water.

[@inspiredcaroline24]

Wow!! I am always drawn to your pieces on both Pinterest and Instagram. You create such unique pieces which is my ultimate dream. I really don't want to be like high street chains where they all have the same looks & dare I say, the same quality? Yikes, controversial🤦‍♀️ I'm not sure which I enjoyed more; you demo-ing (not a word) or your captions. So fun. It all looks somewhat daunting to me right now but I'm only at the very beginning of my soldering etc.... Gosh, you are talented. Please look after your hands (not so fun). Tyfs.C😊🐾

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

Thanks inspired! Appreciate your kind words and excited for you and your future artwork! You'll figure out how to create your own inspirations. One way is to draw every day. Also, find pieces you like, analyze them for what you like about them and create a piece that emphazises the parts you like. Mimic the design or even copy it but, remember to never sell copied work or claim it as your own design. Saying, I made this but, it was Sally's design is appropriate. Copying is a great way to learn how to construct and design jewelry - just follow those simple rules. Have fun, most of all and give yourself a break as you will fail often! Enjoy! Nancy

[@inspiredcaroline24]

@@NancyHamiltonJewelry What a wonderful reply and superb advice! Thank you so much. Caroline😸🐾

[@annedarr1894]

Super work

[@flyingcheff]

Nancy, can the pieces be dipped into the anti-oxidant mix we use for silver protection (alcohol and boric acid mix, dip, then light to burn off alcohol = protective coating...) and then enameled? Would that help to keep oxidation and even soot to a minimum? Does a flux (like the alcohol/boric acid dip) compromise the quality of the enamel fusing process? Mahalo my friend!

[@ellenpreston124]

no need to flux the metal?? really great information , thank you very much Ellen

[@hiliancrystallus3d767]

Hermoso trabajo, Felicitaciones!!!!

[@AllFiredUpGlassBeads]

I really enjoyed watching this happen instead of reading about it. Your color combinations were great! Thanks for your skill and sense of humor! :-) It made watching fun, too.

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

Been watching long time. Love those flowers. What solder can you use on copper for a bail and then enamel

[@SelinaWorkroom]

So beautiful layers and color! @,@b Thx for sharing!!

[@NataliaTymoshenko_Wtug]

браво!

[@pedalnshuttrbug]

Not sure if you are still looking at comments, but I have a question about the enamel powders . Are all enamel powders the same? I have a lot of china enamels, and was wondering if they can be used instead.

[@michelleknight7362]

I have a question about your crockpot and you said cat clay cat litter. Is the crockpot heated in anyway? And if I don’t use clay cat litter what did you say that I would need to buy to put in the crockpot? But I would like to use clay cat litter because it’s cheap anyway I don’t know if you answer questions from two years ago but this is my second comment that I’ve left for this tutorial and once again thank you so much I have a much better understanding watching you then I did with actually watching the guy from Rio Grande and all Colors that you’ve used I would love to buy but I just need to know where thank you once again.

[@cindyryall9133]

The mandrel that has the enamel stuck on it, just heat it up again and dip it in water and the enamel will come off. I do this with glass if I've used the mandrel as a punty.

[@fnyfrm]

Where to order the copper blanks ?. Thank you for sharing your incredible creative process and talent..

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

There is a link in the video description (buried under all that information). There isn't a lot available. Some vendors should take note! I also have free patterns on my site that you can saw out! Thanks.

[@shanerimon]

Nancy Hamilton love your simple easy to understand information.

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

@@shanerimon Thanks Shane!

[@SilkCityIndependent]

Does this work on stainless wire, sheets/plates?

[@NancyHamiltonJewelry]

Here's a great article at Ganokin. You need a particular type of stainless steel and a particular type of enamel: Medium Temperature - Medium Expansion enamels. The steel is "300 SERIES (Non-magnetic) This series contains 16-25% chromium, 6-22% nickel, small amounts of special metals, and the remainder iron". Here's the link: www.ganoksin.com/article/metals-suitable-for-enameling/. Good luck and thanks!

[@Lightness108]

😀👍🏼

[@1958vintage1]

Yikes, that looks dangerous! Just wet the copper and sift the enamel on and put it in a kiln for a minute or two. So sorry if you torch yourself!

[@lass-inangeles7564]

Nice demo but... not even halfway down and already 6 ADs. Its too much! Trim down the ads, this is worse than TV. Not coming back ever. I don't have time to waste on Ads.

[@Gasp7000]

We have a party-pooper, 😂.