Enamels Storage?

[Firelilly]

I got a sample set of Thompson's Enamels...the powders came in little plastic baggies. If you order jars do they come like how Val's frits come? In little plastic jars?

How do y'all store your enamel powders? You just buy jars and tip some out onto a marver pad when you want to use it?

It seems like it likes to stick to a marver pad and takes a lot of rubbing and pressing the hot glass onto the pad to use it all up. I don't want to start sweeping away what I don't use before I change to another color...that seems wasteful. It would for sure be too much of a pain in the butt to try to sweep it back into a little baggy. Plus I don't think I want to have the stuff go airborn if I start sweeping it around.

Is there some trick I'm missing here?

Thanks!

Lil

[Lynn Larson]

I went to Kmart and bought 4 of the large twist-together stacked fishing tackle containers. Works like a charm! I just use a spoon for the enamel...roll the bead in it or sprinkle it on.

[Mr. Smiley]

Just make sure you have great ventilation to use this powder. It's not something to mess around with breathing in. :love:

[Cosmo]

I don't have a lot of enamels, but the ones I do are stored in those little snap-top plastic containers like you used to get paints in as a kid. Michael's had a bunch of them not long ago.

[Peg Medill]

I bought mine several years ago and they are still in the same box the enamels came in as I am not sure I want to mess with them because of the safety issue. I do have the ventilation masks to use, also, but still chicken. Peg M

[Firelilly]

I went to Kmart and bought 4 of the large twist-together stacked fishing tackle containers. Works like a charm! I just use a spoon for the enamel...roll the bead in it or sprinkle it on.

#-o D'oh! Can't believe I didn't think of using a spoon!

Can't seem to find anything along the lines of the fishing tackle containers you're talking about, Lynn. But I think coming up with the storage will probably be less of a problem now that I know about the fancy spoon rolling technique. ;) I guess I was wondering if there was a combination storage and good to roll the bead in too, sort of container that folks were using.

I was mostly bumming on how to use up and clean up the marver after I dumped enamel on it. I imagine the stuff will slide back off a metal spoon a lot easier.

Thanks you guys!

I'll be careful Mr. Smiley. O:)

Maybe you could trade for something you'd like more, Peg?

Lil

[Lynn Larson]

They are like the little screw together bead containers.

[Lynn Larson]

Like these! There are 4 that screw together

http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H151091PK

[Firelilly]

Ah! Ok...Thanks, Lynn! I couldn't find anything like that when I tried to google it. Thanks much!

Lil

[mtarara]

I just bought a set of 6 little jars that look like the ones Lynn showed at Michaels for $3.99. They had several different sizes.
Mary T

[Judi_B]

I haven't tried enamels yet, but these metal storage containers with clear lids looked like they would be good for storage of enamel and frits and you could also roll your bead right in them. They come in several sizes.
http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/storage-metal-container/SBB4-20box

[DesertDreamer]

I use the same containers as Judi, got mine from LeeValley.com. I use them for all my frits, as well (they come in different sizes). I use a small souvenir spoon or a tiny "coke" spoon (I found it at a swap meet!) OR the sifters from Frantz to apply the enamels, depending on the effect I want.

[Firelilly]

Geez, I've never even heard of Michael's before today. I had no idea there were a couple of them here in NH.

I love those containers, Judy and Karen, they totally look like their just the ticket I need. Short money too...which is always nice!

Thanks so much for the info!

Lil

[Judi_B]

Harbor Freight also has the larger aluminum glass top containers even cheaper(2" and 2.5" sizes, $3.99 and $4.99 for 12).
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90687
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90688

[Firelilly]

Oooh! And in purdy colors too, Judi! ;) Coolio!

[Shelley]

I saw an idea the other day that I'm going to try.... little salt/pepper shakers (glass ones so you can see the colour)... you can dispense them pretty easily this way.. just sprinkle it on... and you can always unscrew the lid & use a spoon if you need more than just a little.

Shelley
Sydney, Australia.

[Firelilly]

Oh, that's a clever idea, Shelly! You'll probably buy out the store of it's salt shakers. :-P I think I counted 40 packets in the sample kit.

I've no idea yet out of those 40 colors how many I'll really love. I think I'll make a bunch of little test beads, one for each color.

Lil

[Shelley]

Yeah, I just bought a sample pack too.... was thinking the same thing about how to store them and I saw that idea.... will go hunting throught the kitchen shops tomorrow for salt shakers....

Now that I look at some other's beads more closely, I can see where they've used the enamels.... Another learning curve I suppose! Perhaps we can post a thread asking for advice & tips on how to use them?

Shelley
Sydney, Australia.

[Tanya]

I saw an idea the other day that I'm going to try.... little salt/pepper shakers (glass ones so you can see the colour)... you can dispense them pretty easily this way.. just sprinkle it on... and you can always unscrew the lid & use a spoon if you need more than just a little.

Shelley
Sydney, Australia.

Do you worry about the dust this will kick up? I try to use a spoon to dispense and then roll the bead rather than sprinkle.

I have a sample pack too, but I'm leaving the colors in the bags until I need them for the same reason. The dust gets all over the place.

[maddog1050]

If you buy the regular size from Thompson they will come in plastic jars. I use a sifter from Thompson. It's made to sift the enamel onto the bead as you rotate it. Just remember to tap out the enamel by running your fingernail along the twisted wire handle. This will help to distribute it evenly. Place a piece of paper under the area where you are working and use it to funnel the enamel back into the jar. Use a separate sheet for each color--you don't want to mix colors in the jars. PJBeads carries some sifter/storage jars for enamels which would eliminate the need for a separate sifter. These work very well. I've used something similar in enameling classes. Hope this helps.