Favorite Enamels???

[amy trescott]

I'm dying to start using enamels, but there are so darn many to choose from. So... I was woondering if you enamel-users out there could recommend some?

I know I'm gonna be hooked.

THANKS!
Amy

[Holly]

Enamels for Moretti?
Why not get the sampler...
All the opaque colors are included and
since you use so little at a time, they last
forever (almost).
There is also a transparent sampler I believe
available from Thompson Enamel.

Hols

[amy trescott]

Great idea! :biggrin:

Thanks!

Now simply out of curiosity... What are some favorites?

Amy

[amy trescott]

Whoops!

Yes, for Moretti.

Amy

[LavenderCreek]

I have only tried Thompson's enamels but I really like them. I think I have all the colours, opaque and transparent. I wish they had a transparent red...if they do, I've never seen it.

Like Holly said, a little goes a long way. Sample packs would be a great way to give them a try.

Oh, one thing I did notice about enamels is that things you put over the top of them, like frit or melted flat stringer, tend to keep sinking until you can't see them anymore. I've learned to not over heat when I add stuff to the top, just enough to get my shape back. Enameled stringer is also pretty neat.

[amy trescott]

Okay, so I'll give the Thompson enamels (variety pack) a shot. I can't wait!

Thanks for the replies!

Amy

[cghipp]

I like the white; it's great for using under copper, for one thing. Also, the pinks are supposed to be godo for beefing up Moretti pinks, though I haven't used them for that yet. I'm an enamel beginer myself.

Courtney

[Holly]

They have a "stickiness" when melted in and form a skin of sorts too.
Makes it harder to shape a bead after they are applied.
If you cook them enough, they will begin to sink in and it creates a textured
appearance.
I've use all the brighter colors and I'm almost out of the goldenrod yellow. It just depends, I think, on your personal color preferences. They all seem to act the same, except that the reds will burn off if heated too much.
The pink and orchid colors are pretty if you like pinks. So are the purples.

Don't hold your breath for the trans. red, Teresa! From what I remember from silver enamelling, trans. red in enamels is very expensive! It seemed fairly hard to come by too. Maybe the gold content in red glass has something to do with it. The blues and greens look very pretty tho, I'd like to give them a try.

Can't wait to see what you come up with , Amy!

Hols

[Lizabeads]

Thompson's Enamels... they have a great selection... they do have a different texture or feel when working with them... also reds and oranges burn really easy so work them WAY back in the flame...

[cghipp]

I could be wrong, but I think what Amy's looking for is favorite colors, not favorite brands.

Courtney

[Moth]

White and one of the darker rosy pinks. I use the white under copper leaf to get a verdegris sort of patina.

The darker rosy pinks make awesome seashells when blended with effetre whites and ivories.

~~Mary

[*MAR*]

My favourites are pink (and I'm oddly NOT a pink person) and the peapod green. I have them in sample packs, so I don't have the technical names, but they ARE Thompson, so you could find the colour numbers there. I like the pink for a few reason, when I'm using a pale pink or purple, and I want to give it some texture, I use a tea strainer and shake it over the bead and just reheat enough to make it stick. The peapod green I have so many uses for that I need to get more. I like to use it over white and clear, VERY loosely, then etch the bead, it gets all antiqued stuck in the sand for a hundred years looking. I did some beads that I really liked with pastel grass green, a dots of transparent emerald green and then sprinkled the peapod green over the top and barely reheated, it gave the bead a sandy texture with little windows of the trans green remaining fairly shiny. I pick that bead up and put it in my pocket some days, it just FEELS cool!

[Tink]

Dark Orchid, Black, White.

[Holly]

I could be wrong, but I think what Amy's looking for is favorite colors, not favorite brands.

Courtney
Is there another brand for moretti?
I don't want to miss anything!

Hols

[elizabethburnsglass]

I bought a little sample of a thompsons pink and now I wonder what is the best way to apply it? What does everyone use when applying and are there different application techniques.

Concerning safety...I work on a porch outside...do I need to wear a mask when working with these enamel powders?

Thanks for the help...Elizabeth

[JavaGirlBT]

You should wear a mask that will protect you against particles when you use enamels. As for applying the enamels, you can sprinkle it on -- absolutely wear a mask when you do this and clean up with a wet rag -- or roll your bead in it.

[elizabethburnsglass]

Thanks so much Ellen! That helps me...Elizabeth

[ChristyPhelps]

Of all the enamels I've used, my favorites are still the browns, particularly cashmere, that are meant to be used for copper enameling. I did a lot of research on the compatability, etc, but the amount I use is miniscule compared to the glass or flying particles. It's way less expensive and I love the reactions I get with copper - all the blues, greens, turquoises I have on this bead are cashmere enamel over copper foil on light ivory: