Watch me Enamel!

In this live video, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at my enameling studio as I work on a deadline to complete several pairs of earrings and pendants. You'll see me fabricating the silver bases and creating delicate wire work for each piece. Will I be able to finish everything on time, with all pieces due on Monday? Tune in to find out! -- Watch live at / sandra_the_enameler

[@godaimeyuuki]

I am the fifth generation in a family that has carried on the tradition of Japanese cloisonne art for generations since 1883. Your work is cool. ☺️ I will do my best!

[@sandramcewen]

Fifth generation! That's amazing! :)

[@joanhalverson3796]

Do you do any videos on your process?

[@kjirstenboucher9682]

I am so hooked on this! I only work with soft soldering so far on my jewelry pieces, but silversmithing is definitely in the future for me. I only just started studying cloisonne, and I'm excited to try it out. So glad I found your channel. Loved all of the live.💯👍😊💖

[@AndyDaviesByTheSea]

Thanks for this video Sandra. Thank you for sharing your skill in making. I can't imagine just how much time you put into all of the unseen things that have to happen in order to create these videos. Hopefully, these videos will last way, way into the future and keep the practice alive for future generations. Wouldn't it be nice if we could look back in time and watch how the ancients carried out this art several thousands of years ago. Lets hope that we don't screw things up too much and folks can look back in a thousand years time and say 'Wow, look how she did that!!' Your work, along with your initials, will certainly last that long. Thanks again. Kind regards . . . Andy

[@sandramcewen]

One of the many reasons I love enamel is I now that if I bury it in the backyard, someone could dig it up in the future and the colors would still be vivid! :)

[@AndyDaviesByTheSea]

@@sandramcewen hopefully they'll find your videos too. All the very best . . . Andy

[@Maggioretom]

Wow!!! This is a real masterpiece!!!👏👏👏

[@SilvernStone]

You make it seem so easy.

[@kjirstenboucher9682]

Just a quick tip for tools that like to roll around. Use a brush holder. I found simple acrylic ones on Amazon, they are just a flat block with a grooves in them to lay your brush, or toos in. I ended up making my own out of a scrap piece of wood, and just carving the grooves in with a rotary tool. It is so simple, but makes a huge difference while I'm working. You could probably just use one of your long trivets you were resting your pieces on,... just set your tools in a spare on the side of your workbench.

[@susansmith8602]

Omg! I just discovered your channel! Love your gorgeous work, and I am a fellow North Carolinian at the other end of the state!!

[@sandramcewen]

Thanks Susan! If you are interested in more tutorials, check out my Vimeo channel: Video Tutorials: vimeo.com/ondemand/sandramcewen I also teach workshops in my studio and Arrowmont, if that's your stretch of the state... :)

[@susansmith8602]

@@sandramcewen I would love a workshop maybe next spring. I do beadweaving and acrylic painting and have retreats lined up for those right now. I live about 45 minutes east of Asheville!

[@kjirstenboucher9682]

Just found your channel. Subscribed!😊 Really enjoying watching your process.

[@sandramcewen]

Welcome aboard!

[@jeannettesalazar6442]

Rio grande sells the flat wire all readymade in case we don’t have the rolling wire machine?

[@maryleemartz3722]

Wow! I'm new here and want to say that leaf necklace is amazing!

[@sandramcewen]

Thanks! :)

[@foxiepoxi9245]

I just found your channel and I'm obsessed! My eyes were crossing watching you make those tiny details lol. I'm a mixed media artist. I'm not sure how I ended up here but I'm so thankful I did. Could you please link the first 2 texture plates you used for the foils?! Take care and have a beautiful weekend. 💕

[@sandramcewen]

Thanks! Here's where I bought the texture plates: parawire.com/cbc-metal-supply/industrial-metals-brass/patterned-brass-sheet/

[@foxiepoxi9245]

@@sandramcewen Thank you kindly for helping me! I'm loving all the different textures. Have a beautiful 2025. I hope to see you again soon! 💕

[@jeannettesalazar6442]

Did you have a video when you explain the wire that is needed to separate the enamel?

[@sandramcewen]

Hi Jeannette! I've got over 150 video tutorials on Vimeo: www.sandramcewen.com/videos. I'll also be offering a virtual beginning enamel workshop this January, so keep a lookout for that... :)

[@arkjoyeria]

Hi Janeth, I can use sucrosol alcohol, it evaporates easily and dries quickly.

[@sweetjcazalee1210]

Hi sarah, how hot must the kiln be when we put in the metal after shifting the1st base enamel in for 2 mins.

[@ismaeltorresjr.4945]

What type of glue do you recommend for paper on fine silver. Thanks❤

[@sandramcewen]

When I'm gluing the paper to the silver for sawing, I like to use plain rubber cement. Apply a thin coat on both the paper and the metal for the best results. It'll hold firm during sawing, and then peel off easily afterwards... :)

[@ismaeltorresjr.4945]

@sandramcewen Thank you! I forgot to ask about that blue fusing liquid. Did you make the mixture yourself, or can it be purchased from Rio? If so, would you be so kind as to provide the product name. Thank you so much! Your work is absolutely beautiful.

[@sandramcewen]

You can make it yourself by mixing a little cupric acetate crystals with Klyr fire, or you can buy it from my friend Lillian: www.etsy.com/shop/BluefuseStore?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=550509336&from_page=listing Good luck!@@ismaeltorresjr.4945

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

Is the wire fine silver wire or steeling. Loved the video

[@sandramcewen]

Thanks! The wires are fine silver. :)

[@ingegerdandersson6963]

@sandramcewen The Fiskars is that a sissor for metal or is that the one they made for sewing?

[@sandramcewen]

Just regular Fiskars from the craft store. Fine silver is SO soft... :)

[@brendareagan8866]

our hands cover the materials list-trying to figure out the type of fine silver bezel wire? you used? or what its called (in beween the intersections for enamel plz. Very beautiful work, in love!!

[@lindasandidge7471]

I have a product called Blue Fuse that I've never used. Is it the same thing as what you are using to fuse the pieces?

[@sandramcewen]

yes!

[@lindasandidge7471]

Thank you! Have a great Thanksgiving! @@sandramcewen

[@cristinabucur3949]

Hi Janet Beautiful work. Can you please tell me where from do you get your silver base for crafting? If possible. Thank you. I really love your work.

[@sandramcewen]

Thanks! I purchase my fine silver sheet from riogrande.com and then hand fabricate the bases. If you'd like to learn how, subscribe to my Vimeo channel here: www.sandramcewen.com/videos

[@cristinabucur3949]

@@sandramcewen Thank you. I hope they deliver in UK also. Thanks again. And I'll subscribe to your channel. I really like your work.🙂

[@sandramcewen]

@@cristinabucur3949 they probably do, but I bet you'll get it cheaper if you buy local. Looks like Cooks on Gold sells it: www.cooksongold.com/Sheet/-Alloy=0/-Thickness=0/-Type=Fine_Silver/&prdsearch=y&show=N

[@cristinabucur3949]

@@sandramcewen Thank you. Be inspired!

[@louiseearsman182]

@@sandramcewen hello from scotland! I buy my silver sheet and wire from Cookson gold.

[@paigemprice]

Does you're using liquid work on copper? The copper acetate/klyrfire?

[@sandramcewen]

I've not tried fusing copper, although I'm sure it's possible. Don't think you'd need the fusing liquid, since it's already copper. (The fusing liquid is made of copper acetate). What you would need would be some flux to prevent oxidation during the fusing...

[@gwencat]

What is the powder that you sprinkle while sawing the silver sheet?

[@sandramcewen]

It's not powder, it's just a little wax to keep the sawblade from binding up... :)

[@JJJ54321]

What kind of a cut or is that? Is it a paper cutter?

[@sandramcewen]

It's not for paper- it's a guillotine cutter made for metal. :)

[@JJJ54321]

Is there a product that fuses copper like that?

[@sandramcewen]

Not that I'm aware of.

[@nancyleunens5110]

What's the blue liquid called and where do you buy it?

[@sandramcewen]

Hi Nancy! I make it from Cupric Acetate & Klyr fire. If you want more info, check out my Vimeo Tutorials: vimeo.com/ondemand/sandramcewen/

[@jessicakoerner7168]

Sandra, what is in the blue bottle?

[@sandramcewen]

I think you are referring to my fusing liquid? It's a mix of cupric acetate and Klyr fire. :)

[@mariarosavaldebenito5336]

Genia,genia genia, super clase desde Argentina te veo lastima no hay subtitulos en castellano,saludos.

[@holly6178]

Hi! How can I take some classes with you?

[@PleochroicRainfall]

u only have 3 videos on Twitch? lol

[@noeraldinkabam]

Lol, I usually don’t give a … about money but looking at your webside makes me wish I had more disposable income! You make beauty!

[@sandramcewen]

Thanks! :)