METAL CLAY & Enamels » Discussions

USING ENAMELS OF METAL CLAY

• Tina Carvalho

  

  Member
   

  November 26, 2010

  Oh, and when I made my metal clay test strips I resented the cost, so I made them with a nice texture, a bit of Keum-boo gold, and hole at the top so I could wear them as mini-pendants of earrings! Now I've gotten over it and I'm glad I did them, but it hurt at the time. The texture helps to see how the enamels look over different depths.
  
  Yesterday I did the same on copper, but I cheaped out and did them on copper pennies!

  Oh, and when I made my metal clay test strips I resented the cost, so I made them with a nice texture, a bit of Keum-boo gold, and hole at the top so I could wear them as mini-pendants of earrings! Now I've gotten over it and I'm glad I did them, but it hurt at the time. The texture helps to see how the enamels look over different depths. Yesterday I did the same on copper, but I cheaped out and did them on copper pennies!
• Ann Davis

  

  Member
   

  November 26, 2010

  Boy you are right!! I hadn't thought about the fact that is does frost up again when refired....re-opening....golly, I'm sure that's right...you always are!!! That is a really good tip to do both sides at a time for that reason!! Geee Wiz I just love scientific insights!!!

  Boy you are right!! I hadn't thought about the fact that is does frost up again when refired....re-opening....golly, I'm sure that's right...you always are!!! That is a really good tip to do both sides at a time for that reason!! Geee Wiz I just love scientific insights!!!
• Melinda Johnson

  

  Member
   

  November 27, 2010

  Hi Trish,
  
  I have found that the metal clay has to be fired a very long time if you want to avoid that golden color. Maybe the binder is not completely burned off yet and that's what's causing the golden color. I made one silver PMC piece, and when I applied flux it fired to a mustard color, but I kept re-firing it at 1550 degrees and the flux eventually turned clear. I was then able to finish enameling it and the colors looked normal. I can post photos if you want to see them, but the inside of the lid to my tree frog box is one example of PMC that I was able to enamel successfully. Anyway, you could probably save your pieces by re-firing at a high temperature.

  Hi Trish, I have found that the metal clay has to be fired a very long time if you want to avoid that golden color. Maybe the binder is not completely burned off yet and that's what's causing the golden color. I made one silver PMC piece, and when I applied flux it fired to a mustard color, but I kept re-firing it at 1550 degrees and the flux eventually turned clear. I was then able to finish enameling it and the colors looked normal. I can post photos if you want to see them, but the inside of the lid to my tree frog box is one example of PMC that I was able to enamel successfully. Anyway, you could probably save your pieces by re-firing at a high temperature.
• Trish White

  

  Leader
   

  November 27, 2010

  Great thoughts,
  My next problem is getting rid of the fine silver frost - even when I tumble it
  for a long length of time, the little nicks and crannies won't clean up - I use a glass brush, brass brush, tooth brush, and still it won't polish up..

  Great thoughts, My next problem is getting rid of the fine silver frost - even when I tumble it for a long length of time, the little nicks and crannies won't clean up - I use a glass brush, brass brush, tooth brush, and still it won't polish up..
• Trish White

  

  Leader
   

  November 27, 2010

  I will check out the tree frog colors - but I am always fearful of over firing as the enamel I apply is just a thin coat. But I will take all this into my brain and try the next project with everyone's suggestions.
  
  Mucho gracias
  Trish

  I will check out the tree frog colors - but I am always fearful of over firing as the enamel I apply is just a thin coat. But I will take all this into my brain and try the next project with everyone's suggestions. Mucho gracias Trish
• Ann Davis

  

  Member
   

  November 27, 2010

  Owwwhhhh Melinda, your work is just breathtaking!!!!

  Owwwhhhh Melinda, your work is just breathtaking!!!!
• Melinda Johnson

  

  Member
   

  November 28, 2010

  Thanks Ann! It's good to see you on the site. Trish, I wonder if a dental tool would work for burnishing your PMC crannies that won't polish up. Not the kind with the very sharp point, maybe the kind that's slightly flattened. I understand your fear of over firing; everybody has their own approach. I was not afraid of it because I knew the piece was ruined anyway if I didn't try something experimental.

  Thanks Ann! It's good to see you on the site. Trish, I wonder if a dental tool would work for burnishing your PMC crannies that won't polish up. Not the kind with the very sharp point, maybe the kind that's slightly flattened. I understand your fear of over firing; everybody has their own approach. I was not afraid of it because I knew the piece was ruined anyway if I didn't try something experimental.
• Trish White

  

  Leader
   

  November 28, 2010

  Great idea,
  never thought of burnishing.. Do you have any of these problems?

  Great idea, never thought of burnishing.. Do you have any of these problems?