A novice, looking at buying a kiln, and was originally wondering if I can use a form of this enamelling as abalone shell replacement (not substitute) for musical instrument decoration. But now having read Karen Cohen's book, I see what a wonderful process enameling can be.
Is this the right group for discussing all that kind of stuff?
cj
Never seen it discussed here but that doesn't mean it can't be, only means those familiar with it haven't let it be known publicly. Enameling is a glass glaze over copper or other metallic substance, is that correct, or am I mistaken. Subject has peaked my interest from time to time, but I've never explored it.
Anyone else?
You will find people familiar with enameling and cloisonné at rec.crafts.jewelry and at ganoksin.com (search the archives there). While they are primarily jewelry sites, the process would of course be the same.
Chunk Kiesling
I took a beginners course in enameling and now have a couple of kilns and a gob of enamels. You can enamel on copper or fine silver or even steel with the right enamels. All I have done is on a copper base. It really is a pretty interesting craft, and I've made some neat little jewelry while playing with the technique.
I started playing with enameling back in the 70s. i used to incorporate the pieces into my panels allowing for some much more intricate designs than my glass skills allowed. Oddly enough i have just recently been thinking of taking it back up. As i recall you use a medium to act as a flux or surfactant (gum arabic was what i used) and apply powdered glazes onto that. What i don't recall is if there was a coefficient of expansion issue? I don't remember worrying about it. I had been thinking of trying my batch and kugler colors mixed with some left-over thompsons enamels???? please keep us posted on your endeavors. m
Thanks Chunk, and all.
I went to the glass on metal web sites and found a whole bunch of stuff. It sounds like a relatively inexpensive passtime to become involved with, compared to mountain biking or skydiving or whatever, but every bit as thrilling, it seems. The Karen Cohen book was really good jumping off spot. That analogy just won't let go!
There are endless ways of combining hot glass and metal to construct anything you have a mind to. From light switch cover plates to goblets in art nouveau fashion, those translucent pane styles thata look like so many small tiffany creations.
But art? hmmm.
This is recreation dot crafts dot glass, so I guess I am safe here from the "Is-It-Art?" thought police. whew! I remember I had this art teacher who demanded that you absolutely avoid working to a pencil outline when you're doing a wet-on-wet water colour. What a thug!
cj
My take on whether something is art is that it depends. Blowing glass, painting, writing... none are necessarily art, but all can be. Cloisonne could be. I don't like to get too hung up on the "is it art?" aspect, myself... I prefer to have fun and let it be what it will be.
Enameling is a glass glaze over copper or other metallic substance, is that correct, or am I mistaken. Subject has peaked my interest from time to time, but I've never explored it.
Anyone else?>
correct - it is finely ground glass. I did enameling years before I got into lampworking..... an enamel panel insert in an guitar could be quite beautiful. Either a plain one -- or if you got really good -- a beautiful cloisonne design! The possibilities sound intriguing. The only thing I would wonder about - if the copper plate would change the tone of the guitar???? Abalone is quite light - enameling is fairly heavy....
Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass
I don't remember worrying about it. I had been thinking of trying my batch and kugler colors mixed with some left-over thompsons enamels???? please keep us posted on your endeavors. m>
DON'T DO IT !!!! There is a COE issue - but when you buy standardized enamels - they are all the same COE
Thompson now makes SEVERAL DIFFERENT COE enamels - and they CANNOT BE MIXED (i.e. they make standard enamel, enamel for float glass, enamel for Moretti). ENAMEL is glass - and COE is still lurking... LOL
Make sure you label carefully - and do not mix them.....
Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass
It sounds like a relatively inexpensive passtime to become involved with,>>>
LOL - oh yeah - right (she says sitting with about 1500 worth of enamels -- and knowing that really cool - big enameling kilns can run in the $1000 range.....) Not to mention that copper form prices have skyrocketed in the past few years....
oh - and if you get into cloisonne - you need polisher/grinders too... and silver wire .... and cheap? you've got to be kidding - only if you stay at the making "trinket jewelry" level.....
Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass
But art? hmmm.
Yes Enameling is an art - you've obviously never seen the good stuff.
If you want to see ART Enamel let me recommend the following
I had looked into Thompsons enamels for stainless and brass a few months ago and they were discontinued. Have they come out with replacements? Does another company make them?
-- Bill Browne
Sounds like it's "cheap" to get into the same way lampworking is "cheap" to get in to: my first lampwork setup was a $30 Hot Head, a vermiculite-filled wok, and a $30 glass assortment. With mandrels, marver, and bead release, I probably spent under $100 to start out. But that's just "becoming involved"; to "pursue it" is a whole different story!
I imagine that like lampwork and stained glass, enameling can be an art, a craft, or a pastime, depending on the user's level of involvement.
A company called Schlaifer's Enameling Supplies makes enamels for warm/hot glass with temp. and COE ranges formulated such that they should be compatible with Bullseye and Murrini. I've been studying up on it with the intention of experimenting as soon as finances allow. I wouldn't recommend trying to use enamels made for metal on glass because of the fit problems.
A company called Schlaifer's Enameling Supplies makes enamels for warm/hot glass with temp. and COE ranges formulated such that they should be compatible with Bullseye and Murrin>
they don't MAKE them - they are a Thompson distributor....
Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.