Copper enameling tutorial

[bluhealer]

Finally finished my first (and probably last) tutorial.....it covers enameling/lampworking on copper and brass in the torch.
I developed this technique in 2005, and use it to make matching pieces for my beads. I wasn't sure if the pieces would hold up, but so far they've been fine, so I'm comfortable publishing the technique.

Anyway, the tutorial is on Etsy, and I'm happy to answer questions, either here, in email, or in convo's.
I do include my sources in the tutorial. :)

[Gail Joseph]

Just bought it...Can't wait to try it out!!! Thanks!-Gail

[bluhealer]

Somehow in my muddling around with Acrobat, I managed to lose the part where I thanked Anne Ricketts for kindly previewing this and pointing out some areas that needed clarification....Thank you Anne!!

[kirrakat123]

Hi, The tutorial looks great, but I can't see anywhere in the etsy details
about the coe of the glass used in the tutorial. What is the coe of the glass
used, soft or boro? I am a boro user, do you know if it works with boro?
We can't use enamel with boro, but there are some nice boro frits available.
The copper pieces might get too hot when using boro glass because the flame & kiln is alot hotter than soft glass. Thanks, Cynthia

[bluhealer]

Hi, The tutorial looks great, but I can't see anywhere in the etsy details
about the coe of the glass used in the tutorial. What is the coe of the glass
used, soft or boro? I am a boro user, do you know if it works with boro?
We can't use enamel with boro, but there are some nice boro frits available.
The copper pieces might get too hot when using boro glass because the flame & kiln is alot hotter than soft glass. Thanks, Cynthia

Sorry, I hadn't even thought about boro....I rarely use it so it hadn't crossed my mind! This technique is for 104 glass only, at least that's all I've used.
Off to make a note on the listing!
Thanks!
Carolyn

[bluhealer]

Ok, that's fixed....if anyone purchased one thinking it would work for boro, let me know and I'll refund your purchase price.

[theglasszone]

Wow, this looks really neat! :) I'm wondering if you have any examples that will show a more close up of the work and if you'd mind posting a couple - either here or on the Etsy listing; the "cover" you've posted in the Etsy link is lovely but kinda hard to see the details.

If you'd prefer not to, I understand...

Thanks!
De

[MaryBeth]

This sounds great! I just purchased one:smile:

[bluhealer]

It appears I've forgotten how to add pictures---I was able to create an album though. If you click on my profile, there are a couple of pictures....

[bluhealer]

all the paid tutorials have been sent....I'm off to bed!

[swamper]

Must have missed me in that bunch - I ordered at about 11pm last night eastern time.

[bluhealer]

emailed you

[swamper]

emailed you

Thanks - contacting you now.

[MaryBeth]

I like it! This is something that can add so much and I never would have thought of doing it:smile:

[Torched Art]

I just got your tut. I'm excited to try something new!

Much prosperity in your tut adventure.

[Jayne]

Wow, this looks really neat! :) I'm wondering if you have any examples that will show a more close up of the work and if you'd mind posting a couple - either here or on the Etsy listing; the "cover" you've posted in the Etsy link is lovely but kinda hard to see the details.

If you'd prefer not to, I understand...

Thanks!
De

Hey De, if you click on the pic of the cover a couple times, it will enlarge really big so you can see everything really close up :grin:

[EmbellishYourself]

Jayne, thanks for the tip! I wanted to see them closer also :)

[playswithfire104]

Hey De, if you click on the pic of the cover a couple times, it will enlarge really big so you can see everything really close up :grin:



That did work - I ordered mine!

[cherie]

I dont work with enamels at all..could u still get some good/pretty results without using enamels?

[Anne Ricketts]

Carolyn you are so welcome! I hope I helped! :grin: I am looking forward to trying this myself!

[beauxartz]

This looks really interesting. Anyone know a good place to order the copper or brass from?

[midniteburner]

Ok, I must have missed something...don't worry, I usually do...ughhh

Is this using copper foil or real copper (like tubing or sheet...)? I misunderstood. I have bought tons of copper tubing, sheet, shavings, dust... I have no idea if I will use it all in this lifetime.

Sara

[playswithfire104]

Metaliforous has lots of this type of supply.

[Laura B]

Very cool. If I wanted to mention this on my blog, would you mind if I hotlinked to your listing and the photo in your listing?

[squid]

it's using sheet, shapes, etc. - not foil.

[bluhealer]

it's using sheet, shapes, etc. - not foil.
Correct, it has to stand up to enough heat to melt the enamel...

[bluhealer]

Very cool. If I wanted to mention this on my blog, would you mind if I hotlinked to your listing and the photo in your listing?

Not at all, thanks!

[bluhealer]

Ok, I must have missed something...don't worry, I usually do...ughhh

Is this using copper foil or real copper (like tubing or sheet...)? I misunderstood. I have bought tons of copper tubing, sheet, shavings, dust... I have no idea if I will use it all in this lifetime.

Sara
You can use the sheet if it's not too thin, the tubing could work, too.
I think Pinzart used to have something with enamels and tubing to make beads, but it's been a long time...

[playswithfire104]

You can use the sheet if it's not too thin, the tubing could work, too.
I think Pinzart used to have something with enamels and tubing to make beads, but it's been a long time...

Yeah Pizart did something like that. She demoed at Beadfest one year.

[Torched Art]

The tut has a great list of resources you can go to for all your supplies. And yes, the copper or meal is not foil, it is sheet or stamped.

[aarenlainey]

Copper can be found in many forms and colors, enamel coating,coating,brownish, burnished, chestnut, copper,copper-colored,metallic brown,reddish-brown,reddish-tan, russet,rust,and so on.Copper is germicidal,via the oligodynamic effect. For example, brass doorknobs disinfect themselves of many bacteria within a period of eight hours. Antimicrobial properties of copper are effective against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli,and other pathogens.In colder temperature, longer time is required to kill bacteria and has the intrinsic ability to kill a variety of potentially harmful pathogens.

[Melanie]

i love using copper, and am super excited to get this tutorial. i took a 10 week course in traditional enameling and haven't done any at home, but i LOVE the idea of being able to use lampworking techniques! Maybe i'll actually USE this info! hahaha YAY! :)

Melanie

[dla]

This looks pretty cool. Just ordered the tutorial. I'm guessing I can use copper tubing with this ?

[SuzyQ]

Great tutorial and this is going to be fun! Thanks so much for sharing what you have learned :D

[bluhealer]

This looks pretty cool. Just ordered the tutorial. I'm guessing I can use copper tubing with this ?
You could indeed....:)

[glassymom]

Finally got to order this and I can't wait to try it. I love working with copper and it just seems like the next step!!
sue

[Rose Leslie]

Do you have any tutorials left???? I so would love to get one.

[bluhealer]

I do!
Just click on the tutorial section of the shop...
Thanks!
Carolyn

[Ro]

so has anyone tried yet?
ro

[bluhealer]

I saw Ben Eagle at RMBS bazaar this weekend, & he has some awesome vintage brass stampings......had to dig a little to find the raw ones, a lot of them had a colored finish, but there were some ribbed teardrops, some elongated drops, smaller teardrops, & chandelier type filigree drops.
As far as I know Ben has never had a website, but his phone number is (719) 738-3991.

[Beadbug]

http://copperwirejewelers.ning.com/ You may want to post that this tutorial is avaiable on the new copper form. I am sure they would love to purchase it.

I got mine and can't wait to read it.

[bluhealer]

Thank you for the link! I'll go and take a look..
Meantime, here's a freebie.......I really like this source and they aren't listed in the tutorial---I had some trouble with Adobe and a couple of things got dropped that I thought were in there, including my thanks to Anne Ricketts for proofing and this link...http://www.fancifulsinc.com/index.html

[Polo]

Thanks