Thank you for the information. I had tried to ball up the wire in the manner you mentioned, but cracked the enamel. I guess I just need to practice. What size tip do you use on your smith torch?
Thank you for the information. I had tried to ball up the wire in the manner you mentioned, but cracked the enamel. I guess I just need to practice. What size tip do you use on your smith torch?
I'll give the cat whiskers a try. I don't think that is what she used, she had a name for it, but I forgot it and now can't get a reply back from her on facebook.
It is tricky and somewhat perilous to ball up the wires next to the enamel. I use a Smith Little Torch, make a very hot tight flame, and with the wire sticking straight up, come in from the side, keeping the flame above the enamel surface. Get in
It is tricky and somewhat perilous to ball up the wires next to the enamel. I use a Smith Little Torch, make a very hot tight flame, and with the wire sticking straight up, come in from the side, keeping the flame above the enamel surface. Get in close and do it fast. Then I don't touch the piece till it's cool and I can go on to the next one. It takes some practice to get the technique right.
Also, I noticed you were looking for tiny glass balls on an earlier post. You can make your own, by melting tiny pieces of enamel threads on a charcoal block. You can buy enamel threads (cat whiskers) from Thompson's, or you can make your own by melting some enamel in a very small copper bowl with a torch, on a stand. When the enamel is liquid, dip some long skinny tweezers into the enamel and pull back. You should get a long thread that cools immediately. Grab it and break it into smaller pieces. If you break tiny pieces that are the same length with pliers, you will get balls that are all the same size. The pieces will pull into balls when they melt. You can also melt seed beads if they are all glass, but many have paint and other things added to them.
Wendy -
Thank you for the information. I had tried to ball up the wire in the manner you mentioned, but cracked the enamel. I guess I just need to practice. What size tip do you use on your smith torch?
I'll give the cat whiskers a try. I don't
... moreDecember 11, 2013- -
-
Report
Tammi,
It is tricky and somewhat perilous to ball up the wires next to the enamel. I use a Smith Little Torch, make a very hot tight flame, and with the wire sticking straight up, come in from the side, keeping the flame above the enamel surface. Get in
... moreDecember 11, 2013- -
-
Report
How do you ball up the silver wire without effecting the enamel panels?
December 11, 2013- -
-
Report
Very cool bracelet!
November 21, 2013- -
-
Report