Hi Sandra thanks for the informative video. I know it’s an old video but if your kiln is building up static electricity it would suggest it is not probably earthed and could be dangerous if anything fails.
Hello :) I am new to making jewelry/soldering and I love your videos. Is there a video tutorial of you making the base and your technique for bending the wires? Thanks 😊
Hi Louise! There are several ways to texture the silver, the easiest is just to use a scribe. If you'd like to learn more, checkout my tutorials on Vimeo: vimeo.com/ondemand/sandramcewen/. Thanks!
Sandra, may I ask what sort of sticky surface you have your wires on? I have tried several different types and have little luck getting it to stick... Please, help!
What is the cool down time? Do you have to wait for your kiln to crash for each firing, or can you pull it at a certain temp with no chance of checking?
I like to use either A1 Klyr Fire www.riogrande.com/product/klyr-fire-holding-agent-water-based/119111 or Blu Stick www.riogrande.com/product/thompson-enamel-blu-stic-cloison-adhesive/119764gp
Your videos are so nice and I greatly appreciate all that you share so thank you. Does the gold foil eliminate the reaction of red and other reactive colors on fine silver so that you get those colors? Second are you using leaded colors when a color would ordinarily be reactive on silver and does that make a difference? Have you chosen a gold foil to use since Thompson has discontinued the one you used in this video?
Hi Kelli! The gold foil does prevent the red enamel from reacting to the silver. I also like to use 24k gold wires when I'm using reds. Some reds are more reactive than others, so it's a good idea to make test strips of any reds you want to use. Any kind of high carat gold foil will work- best to get a sample of the foil and see how it works for you. Some of the gold leafs that are used for gilding are just a hair too thin and break up under the enamels- but you might be able to layer the leaf to get the best results. Good luck!
Hi Sandra, a couple of questions: Does the Klyr-fire under the gold leaf need to be dry before firing as it does need to burn off or can the layer bubble if it is not dry? Also, do the smaller pieces need to be domed slightly or are the 2 layers of counter enamel enough to prevent instability? Thanks, Your videos are a great help.
Hi Richard! You've pretty much answered the first question yourself- if you don't let the klyr fire dry, and it is under something, it could make craters in your gold leaf. As for small pieces, doming isn't really as necessary as it is for larger pieces, so you can probably skip it. But if you find your pieces are bending in ways you don't like, you may want to dome them anyway. Good luck!
I'm sorry for this question , because I assume you said it in the video, but I don't understand English very well , that's why I ask ... Do you put something in front side of the silver, before you put the wires ?
The glass is what's holding it all together- usually you'd probably end up filling in with enough glass for it not to be a problem, but you might have a situation where the wires could separate from the base.
For enamels that I'm going to be sifting, I usually pre-sift them to remove the fines. A 200 grade sieve works just fine for this. You can get them here: www.enamelworksupply.com/tools.html (#2560-2 200 Mesh Sieve )
I’m sure this is going to sound like a stupid question to you,but I’m extremely new to this. I haven’t started just yet. I like to do lots of research on anything before I actually start. But my question was that you are using a kiln right. So I have so far see it fired with a torch. What’s the difference between the two? And why do you use it instead? Also can you use a torch ??
Hi Julie! A kiln will allow you to have more control over the heat and will not discolor the enamels the way torches can. They sell very small bee-hive kilns that will do the trick without investing the big bucks in a larger kiln. But you can absolutely work with a torch- you will just get different results. Good Luck!
Love watching and learning from you❤
Thank you! Cheers!
This was an incredibly useful video. Thank you. You’re a great teacher with a great sense of humour too!
Thanks! ;)
Thank you Sandra, you are amazing!
Sra Sandra McEwen gracias por su conocimiento y paciencia es hermoso lo que hace EXCELENTE PROFESORA la felicito mi Dios la bendiga .
WOW ~ NEVER SEEN GOLD LEAF ADDED BEFORE ~ SO 😎 AND EASY ~ THANK YOU FOR SHOWING ME!!
Hi Sandra thanks for the informative video. I know it’s an old video but if your kiln is building up static electricity it would suggest it is not probably earthed and could be dangerous if anything fails.
Hello :) I am new to making jewelry/soldering and I love your videos. Is there a video tutorial of you making the base and your technique for bending the wires? Thanks 😊
You can have things laser welded right next to the enamel without any damage to the enamel. Thanks for sharing your technique.
Great video. Do you always have to have the enamel on the back
the set stone do you do that after you finish all of the enameling piece?
Hi Sandra, just to ask how you get the texture on your silver before the enamel process?
Hi Louise! There are several ways to texture the silver, the easiest is just to use a scribe. If you'd like to learn more, checkout my tutorials on Vimeo: vimeo.com/ondemand/sandramcewen/. Thanks!
Have you got a video on to make the gem holder section and is that a glass gem?
Sandra, may I ask what sort of sticky surface you have your wires on? I have tried several different types and have little luck getting it to stick... Please, help!
Wonderful lesson!!! Newbie to all of this. Do you have to sift opaques too or just transparent? Thank you!
Just the transparents! Good luck! If you'd like more tutorials, check out my Vimeo site: vimeo.com/ondemand/sandramcewen/
Hi Sandra - Thank you for all the beautiful videos, learnt a lot. I have one question please - where do buy the Eutectic Solder? Thanks a lot again.
Hi Sudha! You can buy it from Thompson Enamel: thompsonenamel.com/
:)
What is the cool down time? Do you have to wait for your kiln to crash for each firing, or can you pull it at a certain temp with no chance of checking?
I'm not sure I understand your question. Enamels can be pulled hot out of the kiln, and will cool down just fine in about 3-5 minutes. :)
@@sandramcewen You answered it. With Boro, we have to wait till the kiln gets under 200 degrees or the glass will most likely crack. Thank you.
Hi) what kind of glue do you use for silver and gold under the enamel, please write the name and brand of the glue. thanks✨🙏
I like to use either A1 Klyr Fire www.riogrande.com/product/klyr-fire-holding-agent-water-based/119111
or Blu Stick www.riogrande.com/product/thompson-enamel-blu-stic-cloison-adhesive/119764gp
Is your sifter to duft fines out an 80 or 200?
I sift to 200. :)
Your videos are so nice and I greatly appreciate all that you share so thank you. Does the gold foil eliminate the reaction of red and other reactive colors on fine silver so that you get those colors? Second are you using leaded colors when a color would ordinarily be reactive on silver and does that make a difference? Have you chosen a gold foil to use since Thompson has discontinued the one you used in this video?
Hi Kelli! The gold foil does prevent the red enamel from reacting to the silver. I also like to use 24k gold wires when I'm using reds. Some reds are more reactive than others, so it's a good idea to make test strips of any reds you want to use. Any kind of high carat gold foil will work- best to get a sample of the foil and see how it works for you. Some of the gold leafs that are used for gilding are just a hair too thin and break up under the enamels- but you might be able to layer the leaf to get the best results. Good luck!
Do you fuse the wire pattern in the kiln or with the torch before you add the enamel. Love your videos!
Neither! There's no soldering or fusing of wires at all. The enamels hold everything in place. :)
Hi Sandra, a couple of questions: Does the Klyr-fire under the gold leaf need to be dry before firing as it does need to burn off or can the layer bubble if it is not dry? Also, do the smaller pieces need to be domed slightly or are the 2 layers of counter enamel enough to prevent instability? Thanks, Your videos are a great help.
Hi Richard!
You've pretty much answered the first question yourself- if you don't let the klyr fire dry, and it is under something, it could make craters in your gold leaf.
As for small pieces, doming isn't really as necessary as it is for larger pieces, so you can probably skip it. But if you find your pieces are bending in ways you don't like, you may want to dome them anyway. Good luck!
Hi Sandra, What is the thickness of the fine silver backplate?
Your work is inspiring, by the way!
Hi Vik! I use 20 gauge fine silver. ;)
Thanks Sandra, I am just getting into enamelling after making jewellery for quite a few years. i am enjoying the process.
I'm sorry for this question , because I assume you said it in the video, but I don't understand English very well , that's why I ask ... Do you put something in front side of the silver, before you put the wires ?
Yes- I sift a fine layer of clear enamel and fire it on the front. There should always be a layer of enamel between the silver base and the wires. ;)
Thank you :) What is the reason , I mean what will happen if there is not a layer of enamel between the silver base and the wires ?
The glass is what's holding it all together- usually you'd probably end up filling in with enough glass for it not to be a problem, but you might have a situation where the wires could separate from the base.
hi what size screen do you sift with and then is it better to wash the enamel? Mark
For enamels that I'm going to be sifting, I usually pre-sift them to remove the fines. A 200 grade sieve works just fine for this.
You can get them here: www.enamelworksupply.com/tools.html (#2560-2 200 Mesh Sieve )
I’m sure this is going to sound like a stupid question to you,but I’m extremely new to this. I haven’t started just yet. I like to do lots of research on anything before I actually start. But my question was that you are using a kiln right. So I have so far see it fired with a torch. What’s the difference between the two? And why do you use it instead? Also can you use a torch ??
Hi Julie! A kiln will allow you to have more control over the heat and will not discolor the enamels the way torches can. They sell very small bee-hive kilns that will do the trick without investing the big bucks in a larger kiln. But you can absolutely work with a torch- you will just get different results. Good Luck!