2020-05-01_Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist

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.

12

13

14

15

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