How to fire enamel on copper. Making a Whippethound

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

Can’t stop watching

[@tericarson3468]

One of me favourite breeds, the Whippet‼️ T x

[@ra.5067]

This is one of the most detailed and useful demonstrations of enameling that I've seen. I appreciate all the tips based on your experience. Thank you for sharing!

[@GeraldineMurphyEnamel]

You're welcome RA - I'll be posting more soon - I'm just waiting for my new workshop to be finished and then I can get back to it!

[@wallyknew]

Terrific Geraldine, thanks.

[@tericarson3468]

Love Enameled Jewellery, and Art Work. This was very informative, thanks. T x

[@GeraldineMurphyEnamel]

Hi Teri, I'm glad it was useful and thanks for commenting and subscribing!

[@mellorgray]

I really love what you do. Just starting out with enamelling. X. Thank you for the detailed info.

[@GeraldineMurphyEnamel]

Hi Mellor, thank you. I'll be uploading more over the next few weeks - I'm currently working on a large Schnauzer portrait...

[@annahadizadeh5991]

Thnx for the video. My white enamel gets cracks on it when i paint some other colors on it and bake it for two or three times. Can you say why it happens please?

[@scottishwifie14]

Can I ask what type of kiln you use I have inherited a lot of enamelling supplies and 2 gas kilns which need fixed I was looking at getting an electric kiln as I am not keen on gas

[@rutledgeparents4424]

Hi! Thank you very much for your tips and tricks. Do you mind sharing the kiln model info? 😀

[@GeraldineMurphyEnamel]

Hello, Rutledge parents, happy new year and sorry for such a late response. I'm not very savvy yet with KZbin and am now trying to see about how I can get notifications when someone comments... Anyway, no problem regarding the kiln: it is an EFCO kiln and here is the link to Kilncare in the UK where I got it: kilncare.co.uk/kilns_enamelling_enamelling_efcorange.html If you are in the US the Paragon Kilns are excellent but I love my EFCO it is a really good kiln. Not cheap but very good.

[@JW-wf8kb]

you make sawing look effortless. what gauge sheet do you have there, and which number blade do you use. thanks.

[@GeraldineMurphyEnamel]

J W Hi JW, thanks for getting in touch. I use a 4/0 Vallarobe blade - they’re Swiss I think. The copper is 1.2mm thick. I usually use thin blades even for thick gauge copper because it is easier. Practice different blades and see what suits you. Below are a few tips on sawing sheet metal: Keep your grip on the saw handle loose - don’t grasp it or hold it tight because it will wear your hand out. Keep the blade at 90degrees to the metal at all times - so always perpendicular. The faster you saw the blunter the blade will get - so saw slowly. Copper blunts blades faster than silver or gold. Saw slightly outside the line - you can file mistakes off afterwards if you wobble a bit. Make sure you’re not sitting up too high. I always use a low stool so that my face is close to the piece I’m sawing. You should only be slightly higher. So try switching the height of your seat and see if that improves things. Use beeswax to rub in the blade from time to time if you need it. Personally I don’t use any lubricant on blades but I’ve been doing this for a very long time and sawing metal is one of my favourite things in art and jewellery making. Good luck!

[@evid1000]

From where do you get your copper sheets? And what gauge copper are the sheets?

[@roe4353]

What size blade are you using please Geraldine?

[@ethereal369]

You may want to go over safety for beginners.Wearing a mask while working with powdered enamel is very important. The powdered glass can easily be inhaled so a respirator/ mask is crucial.

[@voicesforever]

Nice work! what is the thickness of the copper sheet?

[@GeraldineMurphyEnamel]

Hi there, thanks for getting in touch. I use 1.2mm sheet copper. For something this big (the sheet s 5x6 inches) I wouldn't use anything thinner. That's usually my go-to thickness of sheet copper. Not too difficult to cut out and not too thin (in case of warping or cracking).

[@JJJ54321]

What size saw blade do you use?

[@kimt2au]

Probably a silly question, but how do you join the two portions of the picture back together again?

[@GeraldineMurphyEnamel]

Hi Kimt, no, it’s a good question! When all the enamelling is finished I rub the edges with a green scrubbing pad to take off any excess oxides before mounting it in the frame. Then I simply slot it into place - like a puzzle piece. You can use any type of strong glue such as a silicone based glue to adhere to the mount.

[@kimt2au]

@@GeraldineMurphyEnamel Thanks Geraldine