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Gisela Brill: Hi, does someone have old color lists of Schauer, Linkenheil, Soyer, Degussa, Bythe enamels? Igot a nice number of enamels and I can‘t determin clearly what they are.
Also does someone know which company produced the enamels Linkenheil used to... moreHi, does someone have old color lists of Schauer, Linkenheil, Soyer, Degussa, Bythe enamels? Igot a nice number of enamels and I can‘t determin clearly what they are.
Also does someone know which company produced the enamels Linkenheil used to sell?
Thanks a lot
Gisela
March 15, 2022
Trish White
Hi Gisela
I would suggest calling the companies - and you will probably have to make a sample of each color.
Trish White
Thanks Gabor for the info - I am so use to just ordering gold foil in general that I never knew it had a specific thickness-
Regards, Trish
Constantina Papasotiriou: Thank you that you accept me in the group. I have no questions yet. I want first to understand how this page works and learn from what you discus. I am an amateur and begginer in enameling. Sorry that my Engilish are not perfect. I am from Greece and I... moreThank you that you accept me in the group. I have no questions yet. I want first to understand how this page works and learn from what you discus. I am an amateur and begginer in enameling. Sorry that my Engilish are not perfect. I am from Greece and I am 63 years old.
September 23, 2020
Trish WhiteHi Constantina,
The "Ask the Experts" page is for posting questions that you need an expert to help you solve when you have issues with enameling or anything else on your mind. You can access the Library for Tutorials, and there is also Videos,... moreHi Constantina,
The "Ask the Experts" page is for posting questions that you need an expert to help you solve when you have issues with enameling or anything else on your mind. You can access the Library for Tutorials, and there is also Videos, Resources...
Ingrid Regula: Basse taille,
cloisonne', combination in silver wire- wrapped setting
July 17, 2020-
edited
Leasa Romphf: Do i enamel first or solder first...im never sure which comes first. I torch enamel. Any help would be appreciated.
January 28, 2020
Trish White: A glass brush comes in handy when you have to drill out an air bubble - the enamel piece is run under water and a glass brush is used to clean the hole of debris- rinse well - and should you touch the enamel with your fingers, a small amount of Dawn... moreA glass brush comes in handy when you have to drill out an air bubble - the enamel piece is run under water and a glass brush is used to clean the hole of debris- rinse well - and should you touch the enamel with your fingers, a small amount of Dawn dish detergent and a toothbrush will clean away any grease - rinse well and dry with a paper towel.
Charles Winkel: When the enamel is fired you don't have to clean the enamel. when fired the enamel turns to glass. Just apply your next coat. Don't touch the project with your bear hands. Your fingers will apply body oil.
Jelena Petrovic: Hi,what is the best method to clean enamel between coats?Fiberglass brush or Rubbing alcohol or something else?Does it need to be cleaned at all if it is not greased with fingers?Thank you
January 25, 2020
Cynthia Miller: Thompson doesn't make this exact color any more. I believe it was 2210 or 2015. Does anyone know who might make this color in lumps? Thank you.
August 10, 2019
Trish White
Have you called Scott Ellis from - e-namels.com? he still sells a lot of Thompsons old leaded enamels.
Charles Winkel: Be real careful if you get an e-mail from a friend that says view document. This is trouble. Don't open
February 2, 2019
Wendy Myers: I'm interested in finding out more about a technique that has been called "lava". It is colored like lava and has some texture when it is fired although it isn't sugar coat. Any ideas would be appreciated.
January 31, 2019
Trish White
I have not heard of this "lava" technique or the enamel that looks like lava - where did you hear of this?
Has anyone tried firing gems like cubic zirconium or synthetic ruby under enamel?
Trish White
Hi Henry,
I have checked with one of my colleagues - and you must look up the heating temp of the stone before putting it under an enamel - I rather see the stone on top!
Diahn Flair: I am new to enameling and have been looking at the work of many different enamelist to see what effects are possible. This picture is of a piece by Diane Druin and I think it looks like mother of pearl on the inside. Is this effect one type of enamel... moreI am new to enameling and have been looking at the work of many different enamelist to see what effects are possible. This picture is of a piece by Diane Druin and I think it looks like mother of pearl on the inside. Is this effect one type of enamel like a opalescent or a mix of opaque and translucent enamels? I have looked in the limited instructional material I have and cannot find a clue to it. I have no fear of experimentation but am just assembling my enamels so knowing what to buy would be helpful. Thanks for any assistance. less
Diana Wieler: A Dream Come True -- Guilloche! Dear friends, since I began enamelling 9 years ago I've been looking for someone who does guilloche work on metal. That's the name for the elaborate designs engraved into metal using something called a 'Rose Engine'. It... moreA Dream Come True -- Guilloche! Dear friends, since I began enamelling 9 years ago I've been looking for someone who does guilloche work on metal. That's the name for the elaborate designs engraved into metal using something called a 'Rose Engine'. It can be enamelled over to create an extraordinary effect. Once it was used for jewelry and many other things. (Think Faberge Eggs) It's an old technique that today is very rare -- I've only seen it on very expensive watches. But finally I've found someone who has spent the last 10 years restoring 2 'Rose Engines' and will guilloche metal. I've ordered 10 pieces that are on their way! I'll post something I've made once I have the guilloche pieces, but in the meantime, check out it out. His name is Rob and he's a gem to deal with. less
Rose engine turned or guilloche engraving on your products. Our manufacturer creates decorative metal engraved jewelry and more.
Yvonne Cupolo: Looking thru some old boxes of lead bearing enamels , I found a small bottle of " Liquid Palladium"..4 grams..with Thompson label. How is this used on vitreous enamels ?
January 1, 2019
Trish White
Liquid metals are very fine particles of gold (M-12) or palladium (M-13) mixed with organic medium. They can be applied with a brush or crow-quill pen for fine lines or...
Charles Winkel: There is no radiation with the enamel. What you have to worry about with old enamel is the toxic fumes that firing gives off. These fumes are dangerous. One of the best things that Thompson has accomplished was to eliminate these dangerous enamels.
October 6, 2018
Cathy Hazel: Thompson Forsythia... Has anyone actually tested the radioactivity of this vintage enamel? Everyone (users and Thompson enamels) are telling me it is safe, but I have only heard from folks that would be benefit or find comfort from this believe. Love to... moreThompson Forsythia... Has anyone actually tested the radioactivity of this vintage enamel? Everyone (users and Thompson enamels) are telling me it is safe, but I have only heard from folks that would be benefit or find comfort from this believe. Love to hear from a nuclear scientist , or at least someone that has put a Geiger counter up against a jar of it. I have a jar of lumps and am trying to decide how to dispose of it. less
October 3, 2018
Trish White
Its just a small amount and I have used it many times - I am not radiating any extra color hues.
Sheridan Conrad: I am rather new to enameling, however, a jeweler for four decades. My question is where do I obtain a product called lily root. I want to do vertical work and if anyone has any to sell or a direction to buy it I could sure use your help. Thanks
August 3, 2018
Trish White
Hi Sheridan,
It seems Lily root is not sold in any of the suppliers - I have a jar which I would be happy to sell you but if you are doing vertical work and 3-d cloisonne you can use BLU-STIC -sold by Thompson Enamel -
Anna Margolis: I have just ruined a piece and I want to understand what went wrong(-: I have enameled either fine silver or copper before, but this time it was a sterling silver plate I have cleaned it the way I usually clean copper- anneal, pickle, scrub and so on.... moreI have just ruined a piece and I want to understand what went wrong(-: I have enameled either fine silver or copper before, but this time it was a sterling silver plate I have cleaned it the way I usually clean copper- anneal, pickle, scrub and so on. I then enamel my piece as I usually do. But: on my first try the colors seem to be a bit dull and the foundation color seemed to pile up, creating patches of raw metal. The counter enamel also piled up in the center. on my next try everything looked well in first layers, but when I have started to fill the cloisonne cells with a second layer the enamel started shooting grains and pinging off (althought the piece was cooled down) and later after I have fired it - all of my enamel got separated from the base metall- just snapped off as one piece, together with the cloisonne wires. I have never encountered anything like that before and I want to understand whether there is one particular reason for the piling up and cracking off? could that be because I didnt do depletion guilding befor enameling silver? So sterling silver is harder to enamel than copper? Also can I Use foundation enamel thats says "for silver" for sterling silver? less
June 24, 2018
Trish WhiteHi Anna,
Are you saying that the Silver you used was "silver plated" - because you cannot enamel on plating.
You must depletion guild Sterling Silver to bring up the fine silver - the salts in the silver disrupt the enamels and that is why we use clear... moreHi Anna,
Are you saying that the Silver you used was "silver plated" - because you cannot enamel on plating.
You must depletion guild Sterling Silver to bring up the fine silver - the salts in the silver disrupt the enamels and that is why we use clear flux first -
Hope this helps,
Trish
Anna MargolisThanks, no I didnt mean it was silver plated, I meant it was a piece ("a plate") of sterling silver. I do use the clear flux first - I was just wondering whe the adhesion of the enamel to the piece was so bad - was it because I didnt do depletion... moreThanks, no I didnt mean it was silver plated, I meant it was a piece ("a plate") of sterling silver. I do use the clear flux first - I was just wondering whe the adhesion of the enamel to the piece was so bad - was it because I didnt do depletion gilding? but why then I never had any adhesion problems with copper pieces?
Trish WhiteCopper responds to a wide range of enamels - both opaque and transparents- Sterling Silver is an alloy of 925 parts fine silver and 75 parts copper. and it also contains Salts - Because Sterling silver contains copper fire scale appears when the metal is... moreCopper responds to a wide range of enamels - both opaque and transparents- Sterling Silver is an alloy of 925 parts fine silver and 75 parts copper. and it also contains Salts - Because Sterling silver contains copper fire scale appears when the metal is heated, so prior to enameling you must prepare the surface with a layer of fine silver. I would also suggest, that you ALWAYS do samples of your colors on scrap metal before applying to the Good piece. This way you will figure out all the problems before they become a disaster. Fear not, you can remove all that enamel by soaking in "Etch All" for several days and the enamel will begin to come off - brush with a glass brush under water and put back in the plastic container with the Etch All until you have removed all the enamel. I had a major piece that I messed up and was ready to restart the whole project from scratch, when I learned of EtchAll - now I have my original piece back without all the work. less
Anna MargolisDear Trish, thank you for your suggestions and advice. Especially about EtchAll ( I have another brand of glass etching cream- hope it also works)- if it will help me to get my cloissone wires back without doing bending it over and over again - its a bit... moreDear Trish, thank you for your suggestions and advice. Especially about EtchAll ( I have another brand of glass etching cream- hope it also works)- if it will help me to get my cloissone wires back without doing bending it over and over again - its a bit comforting. But! I tried to do more samples and am again totally clueless on whats going on. Sorry for long description - but I really need help on this one: So - this tiime I did everything to prepare the metall, including depletion gilding. I added my flux and fire it and it looked quite ok. (I used two different fluxes N3 and Thompson 2020 on two different pieces. But on the next firing the enamel started to crawl away from the edges and also creating empty (bare metall, no enamel) patches in the middle ( the layer of enamel was not to thick, the enamels themselves are the one I always use and know and the T not too high). Ok, i cleaned the patches and egdes and added more enamel and fired. this time the enamel pulled from the edges again, the patches appeared again, there was quite a lot of pullthrough. It was quite frustrating, but the worst was yet to come (-8 - when i startecd to apply (wetpacking) my next layer... less
Margie Foster: Thanks Trish, after thinking about it the liquid enamel my have gotten wet. After the liquid enamel was dry, I wet packed flux on the front and fired them both at the same time. I'll try it again one at a time.
November 14, 2017
Trish White: Hi Margie,
Sounds like not all the areas of your Liquid Enamel were completely dry and the moisture puffed up your enamel as it was heated. Another thought - perhaps there were areas of your copper that were not completely clean - you know when the... moreHi Margie,
Sounds like not all the areas of your Liquid Enamel were completely dry and the moisture puffed up your enamel as it was heated. Another thought - perhaps there were areas of your copper that were not completely clean - you know when the copper is completely clean when you run the metal under water and it sheets off.
November 14, 2017
Margie Foster: I'm having trouble with liquid enamel. I put it on bare copper. After firing, some areas are smooth, some areas have puffed up. I don't know what went wrong. I know the enamel was completely dry and was fired at 1450.
Diana Wieler: 831 Grisaille White -- Thompson Vintage Leaded Enamel -- does anyone have experience with this enamel and what effects does it produce and what technique? I have acquired a reasonable amount (3 pounds!) and want to know how best to put it to use. It... more831 Grisaille White -- Thompson Vintage Leaded Enamel -- does anyone have experience with this enamel and what effects does it produce and what technique? I have acquired a reasonable amount (3 pounds!) and want to know how best to put it to use. It does not work in the traditional grisaille technique. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, Diana
October 27, 2016
Charles WinkelLeaded white doesn't act any different then unleaded. The difference is temperature, it fires at a higher temperature, and a longer firing time. It is also very hazardous. It gives off lead fumes in firing and applying. It's worth your health using... moreLeaded white doesn't act any different then unleaded. The difference is temperature, it fires at a higher temperature, and a longer firing time. It is also very hazardous. It gives off lead fumes in firing and applying. It's worth your health using leaded enamels. I started my enameling using leaded enamels, when the changed to non leaded...
Jim Jordan: I recently got a gold plating pen and it works well. I'm plating a nickel layer under the 24K gold plate to keep the silver from migrating through the gold. It looks so nice that I'm wondering if I can gold plate over silver then enamel over the... moreI recently got a gold plating pen and it works well. I'm plating a nickel layer under the 24K gold plate to keep the silver from migrating through the gold. It looks so nice that I'm wondering if I can gold plate over silver then enamel over the plate. Would be nice if I can then use reds and other colors that don't work well over silver. Has anyone tried enameling over gold plate? Thanks.
July 31, 2016
Trish White
No you cannot enamel on gold plating because it is too thin and will dissolve into the glass. Thompsons offers a heavy silver plated steel that is good for only 1 firing.
Mali Portnaya: Hello everyone! I am just wondering has anyone tried to work on a white gold? Had some problems with using only 18k gold wires, and don't know what will happen if I would use white gold 18k as a plate
July 20, 2016
Trish White
What were the problems you experienced?
leslie litt
If you are interested in the US contact Tom Ellis at Thompson enamel and ask him to send you sheet he has written up on procedure if not in US send email to him he might beagle to send to you as an email attachment
Trish White: Hi Pam,
I would also suggest Linda Darty's book, "The Art of Enameling" - she covers Watercolor Painting Enamels & Acrylic-
Acrylic Enamels are standard enamel powders dispersed in an acrylic polymer resin. You can mix these colors and apply them thinly... moreHi Pam,
I would also suggest Linda Darty's book, "The Art of Enameling" - she covers Watercolor Painting Enamels & Acrylic-
Acrylic Enamels are standard enamel powders dispersed in an acrylic polymer resin. You can mix these colors and apply them thinly or use a brush or a palette knife to apply them more quickly. Acrylics are very similar to watercolor enamels and if one dries out in its tube, you can cut the tube apart and use the paint like watercolor. You must let the painted piece dry before firing it. less
May 23, 2016
Pamela Wilson
Thanks, Trish! I haven't checked Linda's book yet as half of my studio is in storage. Thanks for the tips - this will be a fun experiment! Pam
Trish White: Have you looked at Thompson's Workbook? if not, you can buy it directly from them.
May 22, 2016
Pamela Wilson
HI Trish, yes, I have and i bought an acrylic enamel set from Thompson a few years ago but have never opened it. I will be calling Tom Ellis tomorrow to see what he can tell me. Thanks!
Pamela Wilson: Hi All, Does anyone have any info on working with acrylic enamels on copper? I have searched the interwebs to no avail. Thanks for any insight you can provide.
I want to make champleve gold bracelet. How thick must be the 18K gold if I want 0,5-0,7mm depth enamel on top and don´t want to use counter enamel. Can I use 22K gold with better results? Is there any ratio/coefficient for gold/enamel, silver/ename...
I'm having a very hard time firing pink colors when I do cloisonne pieces. The pinks often turn orange. I've used Ninomiya L94 (raspberry), G703A, N14, SL5, and a Thompson leaded color called Tea rose. I can get a pink initially but in the final fir...
Please clear up for me what the difference is between eutectic and IT solders. I bought eutectic solder for soldering under enamel, but have since been told to use IT solder. I can find very little information about IT solder. I trust th...
I would suggest calling the companies - and you will probably have to make a sample of each color.