intermediate enamel metal clay
Peacock cloisonnĂŠ Blue, aqua, and green enamel fan out in this colorful pendant. by Linda Bernstein olor accomplishes amazing things. It can alter moods, change behaviors, and cause chemical levels in the brain to shift. Certain colors have even been found to speed up human metabolism, increase respiration rate, and raise blood pressure! Color surrounds us, and artists, of course, pay especially close attention to this phenomenon.
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The colors in this cloisonné pendant closely resemble the lush collage of hues displayed by a peacock parading before a peahen. The coloration in peacock feathers is not produced by pigments, but by tiny crystal-like structures that reflect light. Serendipitously, cloisonné—a member of the enameling family—employs a similar technique. Powdered crystalline glass is placed in metal cells and fired, creating a stunning play of light on the finished piece of jewelry. Cloisonné can be done using traditional metalsmithing techniques by soldering wire to sheet metal to create cells. Metal clay makes this process time-efficient by using metal-clay syringe to “draw” cells onto a piece of clay. Glass enamel is then applied in layers and fired repeatedly for a brilliantly colored pendant.
[1] Design the pendant. Determine the shape, design, and number of cells your pendant will have and make a drawing of it to scale. Choose the colors you’ll use and assign each color a number. Write a number on each cell in the drawing for color reference. [2] Roll the clay and cut out the pendant’s shape. Roll out 16–20g of metal clay to a 6-card thickness on parchment paper. Cut out your pendant shape with a lightly oiled needle tool or craft knife. Remove the excess clay and store it in an airtight container.
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Make a hole. Use a cocktail straw to punch a hole in the top of your pendant. Make the hole large enough to accommodate a jump ring, and remember to account for shrinkage during firing. [3] Create cells. Add lines of syringe clay to the pendant shape to form the cells. Add a line of syringe clay to the perimeter of the piece if you want the cells fully enclosed, as shown in the piece on page 1; or you may leave the edges open, as shown in the process photos. Dry the piece completely. Refine and finish. Refine the edges of the bone-dry pendant using your favorite sanding techniques. The pendant shown was sanded with an emery board.
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Fire. Fire the piece according to the metal-clay manufacturer’s instructions. Polish. Once cooled, burnish the piece with a stainlesssteel or brass brush to remove the white appearance from firing. Then, polish it in a tumbler with steel shot and burnishing compound for about 30 minutes. Preheat the kiln. Remove the kiln shelf and preheat the kiln to 1550°F (843°C). [4] Prepare the enamel. Put 1 teaspoon (4.9mL) of each enamel color into small individual containers, such as plastic bottle caps or small plastic cups. Fill the containers with water (distilled, if possible) and then carefully pour out the water. The powder should stick to the bottom of the containers.
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[5] Apply the first enamel layer. The enamel colors should be damp when applied. Using a small paintbrush, apply one color in a thin layer to the appropriately numbered cells. Repeat this step for the other colors until all the cells are coated with one layer of enamel. Fire. Place the pendant on the cool kiln shelf. Use long tongs and/or heat-resistant gloves to carefully place the shelf and pendant inside the preheated kiln. Fire the first enamel layer for 1 minute. Carefully remove the shelf and pendant from the kiln and let the pendant cool completely. Leave the kiln on.
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[6] File the enamel. Hold the pendant under water and use a 150-grit alundum stone to file the enamel. Rub the enamel in each cell vigorously and then move on to the next cell. Wash the pendant with soap and water, rinse it thoroughly, and then dry it with a cloth or towel. Repeat the process. Repeat the enamel application, firing, and filing steps until your piece has the colorintensity you desire and the cells are completely filled with enamel. Remember, this must be done in thin layers or your piece may have air bubbles and will not be a success.
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Final filing. File the enamel surfaces under water for the final time using a 220-grit alundum stone. Wash, rinse, and dry the piece thoroughly. Final firing. Fire the pendant one last time for 1 minute. Let it cool. [7] Attach the pendant to a chain. Attach a jump ring to the hole in the top of your pendant. Slide a chain through the ring, and you’re finished. Z
on using bright enamels
If you would like to use red or orange enamel, you will need to apply a layer of flux or clear enamel first. Red and orange colors burn out easily, and flux or clear enamel acts as a barrier to burnout. Once you have applied, fired, and cooled the preliminary layer, follow the steps in the article to apply the color in layers.
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Metal clay, 16–20g Metal-clay syringe Glass enamel powder: colors of your choice, 1 teaspoon (4.9mL) each Jump ring Chain Flux or clear enamel (optional)
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Heavy plastic work surface Acrylic roller Parchment paper Playing cards Olive oil
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Needle tool or craft knife Cocktail straw Emery boards, various grits (or sanding materials of your choice) Kiln, kiln shelf Stainless-steel or brass brush Tumbler with steel shot and burnishing compound Distilled water Small container for each enamel color (plastic bottle caps or small cups) Small paintbrush
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Long tongs and/or heatresistant gloves Alundum stones, 150- and 220-grit
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PMC+® clay, PMC+ syringe (various suppliers, visit www.pmcguild.com) Glass enamel powders (medium temperature): transparent green, blue, and black (Thompson Enamel: 859.291.3800; www.thompson enamel.com)
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