Enamel on Silver: The forge and fuse technique Part 1 This is part 1 of 2 of my Enamel on Silver: The forge forge and fuse technique tutorial. To access part 2 go back to the main tutorial page and click part 2.
The first step is making the rim for the enamel.
I wrap 16 gauge fine silver wire around a suitable mandrel and cut it into individual rings with shears.
http://www.enamellist.com/tutorials.php
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Lillian Jones - Enamel Jewelry
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Next I close the ring and align the ends.
The wire is fused into a solid ring, without solder.
I set my rolling mill to about 20 gauge, and roll the ring to flatten it.
http://www.enamellist.com/tutorials.php
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Lillian Jones - Enamel Jewelry
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The flattened ring is rounded out.
The two pieces are annealed, flattened again and prepared for fusing.
I apply a copper solution to the ring.
http://www.enamellist.com/tutorials.php
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Lillian Jones - Enamel Jewelry
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The ring and disk are fused together from below.
The fused base will maintain a highly reflective surface below the enamel.
I make sketches of the base and the cloisonne wires.
http://www.enamellist.com/tutorials.php
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Lillian Jones - Enamel Jewelry
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You can embellish the surface of the blank by various methods. Here, I am engraving a texture.
Now is the time to put holes, if desired.
http://www.enamellist.com/tutorials.php
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Lillian Jones - Enamel Jewelry
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It is important to dome the piece to control warpage in the firing stage.
Here are two silver bases, one engraved and the other blank.
Make several copies of your image, and cover one with doublestick tape.
http://www.enamellist.com/tutorials.php
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Lillian Jones - Enamel Jewelry
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Use the untaped copy to shape and trim the cloisonne wires.
Place the shaped wires on the taped copy for safekeeping. It helps keep all the pieces organized.
The base coat of clear enamel is sifted onto the front of the piece, and fired.
http://www.enamellist.com/tutorials.php
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Lillian Jones - Enamel Jewelry
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The wires are now adhered to the base, and ready for the foils and enamel. This concludes part one. Go back to the previous page and click part 2 to continue with this tutorial.
