Night Reflections Enamel Earrings Tutorial

Created by: Summer Melaas

Designer Tips

• Use the smaller end of the 2-hole metal punch to punch a 1/16" hole near the top of the blanks. Be sure to center it, so the earrings hang properly.
• Clean the blanks with Penny Brite to remove all oils.
• Optional: Spray a light, even coat of Klyr Fire on the blanks. 
• Sift a light coat of enamel in desired pattern onto blanks. 
• Use locking tweezers or enameling spatula to carefully transfer a blank to torching basket (in tripod), and torch fire. 
• Watch closely: when the enamel begins to melt, you'll see a glossy "orange peel" stage where the enamel beads up before slumping to a smooth fired sheen. Fire a bit more, but don't overheat - some colors will scorch.
• Use fiber-grip tweezers to carefully grasp fired piece by edges (don't damage the fresh enamel). Set aside and allow to cool in a warm pan of vermiculite.
• Note: Because you are enameling brass and not copper, colors may not always turn out as expected. Many turn out peach after firing. No worries, just come back over the top with with another thin layer to add some color back onto the blank!
• After cooling, scrub firescale off back with Penny Brite.
• Wire wrap a loop to the top of a cooled blank. For instructions on making wire loops, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF). Add bead, and wire wrap top loop.
• Add ear wire.

• 1 pair #34-003-12-AC TierraCast Earring Hook Findings w/ 3mm Bead, Black Niobium / Antiqued Copper Plated
• 1 each #81-500-1995-S Thompson Opaque 80-mesh Enamel for Metals - Black, Sample
• 2 each #05-045-06-24 Swarovski 5045 Rondelle Bead, 6mm - Jet
• 1 spool [use 4"] #47-405-22 Copper Jewelry Wire, 22ga, Round, 125'
• 2 each #44-720-59 24ga Brass Stamping Blank, Bar, 38x6.5mm
• or, cut your own blanks from copper strips, and file the corners rounded:
• 1 6-pack [use 1/2 of one strip] #64-981-24-25 Copper Sheet, 24 Gauge, 6x0.25"
• Note: colors will be more reliable with copper.
• 1 each #86-220-07 Penny Brite Copper Cleaner
• 1 each #81-510-001 Klyr Fire, Holding Medium

Tools

• #69-235 EURO TOOL Metal Punch, Two Hole
• #69-650-S Small 80-Mesh Screen Sifter
• #65-153 Torching Basket for Enameling by Eugenia Chan
• #69-354-9 EURO TOOL Tripod with Mesh Screen, 9"
• Fire-Resistant Work Surface: #69-182 Fire Blocks, 12"x12" Ceramic Tiles and/or Cement Tile-Backer Board
• #69-613 Handy Flame II Propane/MAPP Torch - or -#69-620 Handy Flame Butane Torch
• (Both of these torches give you a larger flame than the butane micro torches.)
• #69-428 EURO TOOL Fiber-Grip Cross-Locking Tweezer
• #69-056 EURO TOOL Side Flush Cutter
• #69-275-02 Wubbers Round-Nose Jewelry Making Pliers 
• Safety Gear: Dust Mask, Protective Eyewear and Nitrile Gloves

Additional Supplies:

• Small spray bottle (cosmetics/travel aisle or craft store) for Klyr Fire
• Fuel Tank Holder: Large can 1/3 filled with rocks (coffee can size works well to secure fuel tank)
• Vermiculite in warm bread pan or small crockpot