Patrik shares with us a quick synopsis of the steps he takes to create his Torch Fired Enameled Earrings. We hope the tutorial will serve to inspire you to create! No matter if you just get out your sketch book and draw a similar project based on these challenges. It’s a place to start. It’s a way to start off your day in the right frame of mind with a creative exercise!
If you are interested in the full step-by-step tutorial please stay tuned. It will be available in July atWhole Lotta Whimsy. They will be in a handy bench format too! This tutorial looks like it will be 35 pictures with tons of detail in this #13 Tutorial!
In this tutorial you will learn:
- How to design mixed media elements together and compensate for shrinkage
- How to torch-fire opaque enamel
- How to scraffito through enamel for another design technique
- How to capture enamel with prong-settings
- How to solder on earring posts
Roll out the Art Clay Copper Clay. Using a circle template and needle pin tool, cut a circle of any size.
Next, roll out more clay. Using a tissue blade, cut a couple of long strips of clay that will be used to embellish the circle.
Lay the circles of clay on top of the lubricated doming tool. Be sure that the clay has full contact with the doming tool. Cut the strips of clay into smaller sections.
Embellish the circles with the strips of clay, adding texture if desired. Dry, refine with sandpaper, and fire according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Clean the copper pieces by using a wet-dry emery paper and water or Penny Brite. The piece may have firescale. Remove this by placing the piece in a pickling solution. Dry sift the opaque enamels on the copper shapes. Fire the piece to a full fused surface. Set aside to cool. Repeat with the other piece.
Enlarge the copper enameled circles to prepare the PMC template to accomodate shrinkage. Decide where you will place the prongs that will hold the enameled pieces. Mark these spots with a pencil. Then, using a pin tool, make holes in the paper where the prongs will be placed.
Cut 12 pieces of fine silver wire.
Roll out PMC. Using a circle template, cut out a circle the same size as the template. Using a pin tool, gently make marks into the clay by pressing the tool through the paper template at the appropriate spots where the prongs will be placed.
Insert the prongs into wet clay using tweezers.
Fire the pieces at 1650° for 10 minutes. Solder an earring back onto each of the earring bases. Position the enameled piece into the earring base. Bend over the prongs and finish the ends.
These are ready to wear! Make yourself a pair to wear out this weekend! Patrik shows us a great way to capture enamels in metal clay. The possibilities are endless. It’s a great way to use Copper Art Clay, PMC and enamels together!
We’d love to see you take the challenge as well to make these Torch Fired Enameled PMC Earrings. Enamels are easy to use and it’s fun to add color to your work! Can’t wait to see your pieces. Send them and we’ll post pictures in a future Challenge Gallery. Challenge yourself!
Don’t forget to leave a comment. We are giving away an Opaque Enamel Kit on Friday! How to win? Leave a comment on every blog (even older posts) or get two entries for tweeting, putting it on Facebook, the Metal Clay Yahoo Gallery forum, your blog etc. Just send us a copy of the link to support@wholelottawhimsy.com! Let your friends know how to make their Wednesday’s rock…. with of course, the Master Muse Tutorial launch!
Patrik Kusek has been in the design and fashion industry for over 20 years and currently teaches metal clay classes and workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as nationally. He is a senior PMC® instructor who teaches for Rio Grande and his work has appeared in numerous publications including Art Jewelry, Lapidary Journal, MJSA, and various books. He is a member of SNAG, ACC and the PMC Guild. Patrik is the 1st place Saul Bell winner of the 2007 PMC category.
Check out Patrik’s work at www.PatriksStudio.com. You can purchase his work online as well!
Photo credit: final piece Drew Davidson; step-by-step Patrik Kusek
Great project, Patrik ! Charming and original.
o:-)
Wonderful project Patrik! Can’t wait to try it!
This looks like a great project and a neat way to combine silver and copper clay.
once again very cool! excited about the color added by enameling.
and clever use of prongs too! Thanks!
Wonderful project – thanks so much
These are great! I have been wanting to take the “firey plunge” into enamels. I have been looking for a tutorial on torch firing enamels. It sounds easy! I may give this project a go..
Thanks
Love these! Can’t wait to try enamel as I haven’t yet but this makes it seem simpler than I thought.