Torch Fired Enamel & Decal on a Copper Pendant

Here's a simple but striking project that incorporates copper sheet, powdered enamels, and custom made enamel decals, to make a sweet pendant that opens the doors to many personalized projects. The techniques shown are basic and can be used with pre-made copper parts and decals as well as those you create yourself. Using a torch for the powder and a small kiln for the decal you get to experience the different means of melting the enamels onto the copper. In fact, once the decal is fired on in the kiln, you can add more powder and torch it. So cool while being oh so hot!
Disclaimer: During this project we are interacting with a number of potentially dangerous materials and/or equipment so take care to follow closely the manufacturer's instructions. When working with powder enamels proper safety equipment should be worn, such as a particle mask, or preferably a OSHA approved respirator. Also, when working with torches, fire, and compressed gasses, have an up to date fire extinguisher handy and dress appropriately, natural fibers, closed toes shoes, hair pulled back. Let's make creating fun and safe!
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[@ethereal369]

I really appreciate how the person video recording asks relevant questions about each of the steps your taking in this process. It really helps to explain what you're doing & why. Also, as an artist, I love that you can use your own art to make the decals (I'm not a big fan of commercial, mass-made jewelry & findings either). So I bought a pack of blank waterslide decals on Amazon & printed my own. It was very simple. Just needed a bit more info on the process of using them with enamel. This video is super helpful! ~Thank you both for this fantastic tutorial! Cant wait to get started. 😊

[@thecreativespacezone]

Thanks for your kind words! That's my friend Stefanie and she's awesome! Check her out @StefanieGirard.

[@hongchuyenvn]

Lovely Marimekko decal

[@kitrinospiti]

Hi! If you torch-fire enamels it's better to come with your flame from below and not fire directly on the enamel as this can burn the colours and blow the enamel away. It doesn't have to be a hot surface for the enamel to stick but it definitely needs to be a clean (de-greased) surface. Also, when you shift the enamel to your piece, it's better to do it over a clean piece of paper (your piece should be cold when you do that) so you can gather the excess enamel that falls around it and put it back in it's box (you save a lot of material this way, plus your metal sieve doesn't have fired enamel on it that will stick to your pieces on firing).

[@thecreativespacezone]

Howdy! Thanks for the comments. I agree with what you have said, and appreciate you sharing. When I personally do enameling it is very spontaneous, so that's why I do some of the things I do. I have great results for the most part, but I know they would be better if I slowed down a bit. I'm planning some more enameling projects so I'll address your points then. Thanks again!! Have a great day.

[@huntrezzjanos8117]

Omg! I really love that this is online it was so interesting to watch

[@anitaibarra5763]

Awesome technique! One more to add to my list of many new things I must try.

[@rachellesharits5021]

I like how you didn't need any flux before you started adding frit since the torch cleans it off basically.

[@johnderwin]

Hi thanks for the reply. What gauge metal. W ould you not need to counter enamel?

[@tiffannystipe9626]

Awesome! You are the first person I've seen torch from the top! Can you tirch fir with the decal? I dont have a kiln. Thank you!

[@wendyhoechstetter3236]

That's a very cool process - but for those of us who don't have a kiln, and because this video is supposedly about torch-firing, can you actually torch-fire the piece once you've applied the decal? Is there any way to fire other colors onto the piece? Or can the decals be printed in other colors that will then transfer?

[@thecreativespacezone]

Hi Wendy, You can fire the decal with the torch but you want to be careful on approach. I have burned a few up in the process. You can add more color after the decal is on. Yes yes yes...for best results with the decals, make sure they have no water residue trapped under the decal. Burnish well...have fun!

[@soreneddie9301]

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[@urielavi8909]

@Soren Eddie Instablaster ;)

[@soreneddie9301]

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[@soreneddie9301]

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[@angelamckenzie3913]

Hi, great video! Where do you get the decals from, and can they print any design? Cheers :)

[@thecreativespacezone]

Thanks! The decals are available through In Plain Sight. www.inplainsightart.com/decals4artists/ Hope this link works. Be well!!

[@livefree395]

Can you enamel on curved surfaces like bangles?

[@veletavancza606]

With no counter enamel, that enamel will pop off over time due to surface tension.

[@thecreativespacezone]

Thanks for the advice.

[@thecreativespacezone]

I'm planning on another video to address the counter enamel issue. Thanks again.

[@TheJestersYarn]

Counter enamel?

[@jlee565]

@@TheJestersYarn Counter enamel is the "first step". Firing a layer of enamel on the back side of the project . By having a layer of enamel on both sides it equalizes tension and adds rigidity. Without counter enamel the design side can crack and pop off the front.

[@cheryltuttle9181]

@@jlee565 I was thinking the same thing. also what about fire scale? hmmmm

[@johnderwin]

i can you tell me how I can stop getting trivet marks when I counter enamel the marks are from where the piece touches the trivet Thanks

[@thecreativespacezone]

That is a pain in the butt, right? I personally rather use thicker metal so I don't have to counter enamel. That said, I tend to grind away what I can.

[@silenebio]

Is it possible to apply a decal with a torch?

[@thecreativespacezone]

Yes it is. Just be careful not to fire it too hot. I have burned it away Also make sure there are no air bubbles between the decal and the surface.

[@pamkriner5945]

Can you add a layer of transparent enamel over the decal?

[@thecreativespacezone]

Yes you can. Once the decal is fused on it is glass and you can add more enamel. Thanks for asking!

[@moodylicious]

thank you, darlin! You have a lovely, cool vibe. So much better than this uptight "professor" who drones on and on and on about safety this and safety that in a most irritating manner. Still with that said, he provides invaluable information, seems quite nice and extremely knowledgeable. How I tolerate people depends on my mood when listening. he-hee YES! Of course we know enamel is glass particulate. Yes we all know about setting up, wastage, application technique, safety, etc. Still, we should think about those coming to this craft completely ignorant of the myriad dos and donts and important minutia integral to successful enameling. I also prefer sifting away from my grid, as soon, the grid builds up with enamel, gets sticky and makes it harder to lift off the hot work piece. And we are saving the powder for another day, sifting onto glossy paper, returning to storage jar. It depends on your priorities, pocket-book and finickiness. So, it's all good. I love the comments, as much as the instructional vids, as great pointers come out of them. Everyone has their own style and method and we can watch everyone doing their presentations their way, and take away the little tips and big tips that will ALL help us to be better artists in the long run! Thank you for this video.

[@thecreativespacezone]

Thanks so much for your kind words. What I have found, in my many years of teaching, having a good time and being entertained is the best way to learn. Fun is my #1 priority! Now go make something!

[@moodylicious]

@@thecreativespacezone i luv your outlook. I am going to go make something!! :-)

[@moecovann]

Do you have a link for the hole punch?

[@thecreativespacezone]

Unfortunately I don’t. The guy I get them from sells at a local flea market. Try Rio Grande.

[@patriciawiley99]

These are temporary tattoos. Can you use regular decals? Love your video!

[@thecreativespacezone]

Those are decals, not tattoos. They use that material to print on. I have used some "regular" decals with mixed success. "Gold" decals don't like the torch or the kiln. Bummer...all decals can be burned away if one is not careful.

[@patriciawiley99]

@@thecreativespacezone They print onto temporary tattoo paper? I'm sorry I know little about enamel but I'm really interested in this process. Do they use special ink? Can you make your own? I've watched a couple of other videos and they use glass decals which seem specialized for enamel. Is that the same as this? Sorry for all of the questions and thanks for sharing your video.

[@thecreativespacezone]

@@patriciawiley99 the source I use, has adapted laser printers with the appropriate enamel colors to produce four color prints from computer images. The color isn't as true as I like but if you understand that when you create your images it may not bother you. In Plain Sight is the name of the company. www.inplainsightart.com/decals4artists

[@patriciawiley99]

@@thecreativespacezone Thank you. I love the result!

[@FriskyTendervittles]

How do we make our own decals for this?

[@thecreativespacezone]

Find your art work or create it and make it into a jpg. I use In Plain Sight to print out my color decals. www.inplainsightart.com/decals4artists

[@MrCcfly]

video editinggggg hehe

[@bobrexford1718]

Might mention masks and silicosis.

[@Paulenannmarie]

She did mention wearing a mask. She didn't because she was filming.