Enameled Orchid Eye Tutorial
Created by: Mollie Valente
Make your Enamel Disk
- Use the dapping set to dome the copper blank. (See Rings & Things blog post: How to Dap and Dome Metal Jewelry.)
- Fire the concave (back side) of the copper blank with orchid enamel (counter enamel). Or you can use the enamel colors of your choice. (Follow firing and safety instructions from the Thompson Enamel Workbook or Rings & Things blog post: Torch Fired Enamels.)
- Clean the domed copper blank with Penny Brite.
- Fire the convex (front side) of the domed blank with orchid.
- Sift a layer of robin's egg blue onto the cooled orchid disk. Now use a scribe (a toothpick works great) to draw a design in the sifted enamel. This technique is called sgraffito.
- Fire the enamel design.
- Place in heated vermiculite and allow to fully cool. (The Little Dipper Pickle Pot works great for warming vermiculite.)
Finish the Necklace
- Twist open a jump ring and string on the enameled pendant.
- String 4 rondelle beads onto the jump ring and twist to close it.
- Unclasp the necklace chain and string on the pendant. Clasp the necklace chain.
Suggested Supplies
- 1 each #44-780-70 Copper Blank, 25mm Round, 24-gauge
- 1 each #81-500-500-1750-S Thompson Opaque 80-mesh Enamel for Metals - Orchid, Sample
- 1 each #81-500-1410-S Thompson Opaque 80-mesh Enamel for Metals - Robin's Egg (Blue), Sample
- 1 ounce (use 1 piece) #37-167-1 White Plated Jump Ring, Round, 8mm
- 1 dozen (use 1 piece) #40-129-18-1 White Plated Fine Filed Cable Chain Necklace, 18"
- 1 hundred (use 4 pieces) #26-155-32-1 White Plated Metal Beads, Rondelle, 3.2mm
Tools
- #69-199 Dapping Set
- #69-345 2lb Brass Hammer
- #62-229 Thompson Enamel Workbook
- #69-657-M Nitrile Gloves - Medium
- #86-221-07 Penny Brite Copper Gel
- #81-510-001 Klyr Fire, Holding Medium
- #69-650-M Medium 80-Mesh Screen Sifter
- #65-153 Torching Basket for Enameling by Eugenia Chan
- #69-354-9 EURO TOOL Tripod with Mesh Screen, 9"
- #69-613 Handy Flame II Propane Torch
- #69-615 Gas Canister Holder
- #69-429 EURO TOOL Fiber-Grip Tweezer, 8""
- #69-656 Valved Respirator
- #69-383 EURO TOOL Safety Glasses
- #69-357 Little Dipper Pickle Pot
- #69-275-58 Baby Wubbers Flat-Nose Jewelry Making Pliers
- #69-275-53 Baby Wubbers Chain-Nose Jewelry Making Pliers
Other Supplies
- Vermiculite
- MAPP gas, propane fuel or butane
- Toothpick or other scribe for sgraffito technique
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