2020-05-01_Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist

(Joyce) #1
papers so that you do not get mixed
up or throw the paper away after
every sifting. This will eliminate cross
contamination. Magazine pages are
great for this purpose.

13


Place the small disc on top of
the larger disc lining up the
holes of the disc. Carefully transfer
the discs to the trivet for fi ring.

14


Begin fi ring the enamel by
torching from underneath the
metal. If you fi re from above, you
will risk blowing the enamel off the
surface and overheating the enamel.
Move the fl ame around the trivet so
that the enamel will fi re evenly. Heat
until the enamel surface is smooth
and looks like glass, then hold the
heat for another 20 seconds or so
to allow the small disc to fuse to the
enamel. You are done fi ring when
you see that the top disc has made
contact all around with the enamel.
Remove the unit from the trivet and
allow to cool completely. Place in cold
pickle until the fi re scale has been
removed; rinse and dry off.

FINISH
Mark ½" of a 3mm sterling silver
tube. Using a tube cutting plier and
jeweler’s saw, saw the tube to size.
Place a dab of extra easy solder
paste on the tube and prop the disc
on top of the tube on a tripod with
mesh.

15


Solder the tube in place by
torching from under the disc
to prevent ruining the enamel color.
Pickle again as needed.
Clean the silver surfaces with steel
wool to brighten.

KIEU PHAM GRAY has been creating jewelry for
almost 20 years. She and her husband, Andy, own
and operate http://www.TheUrbanBeader.com, where
they work to provide the industry with specialty
supplies and tools. Most recently, she co-founded
http://www.EverCrafting.com, a social media site for serial
crafters.

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covers all of the surfaces. Allow to
dry thoroughly before fi ring. Firing
wet enamel may cause bubbles on
the enamel surface.
Enamel runoff should be returned
to its container. You should use sepa-
rate papers to catch runoff to reduce
the risk of contamination. Mark your

See


More Work


THEIR TURN, PAGE 8

More Blue!


ELLENSBURG BLUE
PAGE 38

GO FLY A KITE
PAGE 42

DELICATE THRILL
PAGE 54

MAY/JUNE 2020 53


50 Gray_RadiantSilverEnamel_mayjune20.indd 53 3/16/20 3:47 PM

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