Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist – September 2019

Jewelry Project COMING UP DAISIES

FILL THE CELLS AND FIRE

6

Let’s assume you’re starting

here. Using the sable brush, fi ll

the darker colors fi rst and clean

up the surrounding surface so the

enamel grains won’t contaminate

the lighter colors. Wick away the

excess water with a dry brush.

Try to keep the enamel off the metal

surface. The cleaner you keep the

metal, the less work you will have

when you grind the pendant surface.

Tip: If you use copper, you will

have to clean the edges every time

with polish or sandpaper to remove

the fire scale and wash it well. Pieces

of fire scale can contaminate the

enamel.

Gently place the pendant on a trivet

and use the trowel or fi ring fork to

place it in the kiln. Watch the time!

This piece fi red for about 90 seconds

before I removed it from the kiln.

Every kiln is diff erent, so check your

pendant and determine the time

needed.

7

Alternate fi lling the cells from the

front and back. Repeat fi lling and

fi ring until the enamel reaches the

top or forms a very shallow curve.

You decide the look that you prefer.

FINISH

8

Once the fi lling and fi ring is

complete, I use my Foredom and

a diamond pad to grind the excess

enamel from the front and back of

the pendant. I keep the pendant wet

by washing it in a small container

of water. Never put the Foredom in

the water. You can use an alundum

stone and water or a diamond fi le

and water to clean the metal and

fl atten the enamel if you don’t have

a rotary tool.

Sand the surface with 60-400 grit

sandpaper.

FINAL FIRING

9

Once the silver is clean, wash

and dry it. Place it on the trivet

and fi re one last time to restore the

shine. Fire just to glossy.

PEGGY A. HAUPT is a hobby artist who

enjoys working with metal, wood, and glass. The

natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains is her

constant inspiration.

Safety

Always wear goggles and a face

mask. Good ventilation is a must

and an exhaust system an excellent

idea. I keep a fire extinguisher beside

my soldering/kiln area, have it

surrounded by a fire-resistant board,

have this same surface underneath

the area, and a fireproof board on

the floor.

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67

9

See

More Work

THEIR TURN, PAGE 8

Drill a hole at the top of the

pendant and add a jump ring

instead of making a bail and

soldering.

AN

EASIER

WAY

78 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST