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• 5 18-gauge copper blanks (I used 20.5mm rounded

squares and a 25x18mm oval.)

• 4 6mm round gemstone beads

• 2 5–6mm jump rings

• 8 in. (20cm) 20-gauge craft wire

• Lobster claw clasp

• Black counterenamel (I used 1020.)

• Background enamel color (I used Titanium White.)

• Enamel paints and containers

Salted Enamel Bracelet

If you’ve worked with watercolors before, you may remember the

trick of using salt to absorb and ultimately draw the watercolors to

a specific area of a painting. This technique incorporates that

concept, but when the project is fired with the salt, it leaves behind

an intriguing texture.

You’ll need

• Table salt

• Small paintbrush and water

• Penny Brite, old toothbrush, and small towel

• Kiln brick, trivet, torch, bentnose pliers, and fine-point

tweezers

• Sifter, dust mask, and magazine sheets

• 2mm hole-punching pliers

• Roundnose pliers and chainnose pliers

• Wire cutters

This project is not to be digitally reproduced and is intended only for in-store use as a participant of Kalmbach Books Reward program. This project is copyright protected and property of the author. Any misuse of this policy will result in immediate cancellation of the Rewards program benefits. Effective 2013.

9 7 8 1 6 2 7 0 0 3 2 4 7

5 2 1 9 9ISBN 978-1-62700-324-7

0 6 4 4 6 5 1 7 8 8 9 6www.JewelryandBeadingStore.com Steven James

Get Started With25 Sure-Fire Projects

Discoveryou can make at home!

TorchEnameling

Not all enameling requires a kilnand expensive materials.

In this book, Steven James shows you why his classes sell out so often. His hand-torch techniques use easy-to-find supplies and materials; he breaks techniques down to simple steps; and, his designs are gorgeous. You’ll love what you learn to do!

• A surprisingly simple way to learn enameling

• Time-saving tips for creating shapes, finishes, and color

• Easy wirework and metalworking techniques to finish your look

• Fun ways to make each design your own

“While these projects may appear to require an advanced skill set, in fact, they are incredibly simple.” Steven James

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Enamel jewelry

67889 $21.99CAN $22.99

45

Prepare the Blanks

Follow the steps to make as many

blanks as you need for the bracelet

(mine has five).

Use hole-punching pliers to punch

a hole close to the edge of a metal

blank [1]. Make another hole on the

other side of the blank.

Prepare the blank as in “Cleaning

Your Copper,” p. 16. Once dry, add

counterenamel to the back of the

blank [2]. When the blank is coated,

use fine-point tweezers to carefully

place it on a firing trivet.

Fire the MetalFire the blank and allow it to cool.

Remove the firescale with copper

cleaner. Add the background color to

the front of the component. Fire the

enamel and allow the component to

cool completely.

Add the Salt Design

Work on a cool trivet to complete

the component. Prepare a watery

solution of your enamel paint color

and apply it to the surface of the

component [3, 4]. Add more water if

it appears too dry.

1

2

3

4

This project is not to be digitally reproduced and is intended only for in-store use as a participant of Kalmbach Books Reward program. This project is copyright protected and property of the author. Any misuse of this policy will result in immediate cancellation of the Rewards program benefits. Effective 2013.

46

Next, carefully drop a small amount

of salt onto the surface of the metal

and allow the salt to absorb the

paint [5, 6]. Let the salt/enamel paint

mixture dry for about five minutes

and then begin to fire [7]. Don’t be

alarmed by some of the small bits of

salt jumping off of the project.

Continue to fire the component until

the enamel paints are fully fused and

the salt has started to settle into the

background color [8]. Allow the

component to cool before removing

from the trivet [9]. You may notice

some salt embedded into the glass,

but don’t worry. Once the component

is completely cool, simply submerse

it in water and allow the salt to

dissolve [10]. Dry it completely.

Finish the Bracelet

Cut a 2-in. (5cm) piece of wire and

make a plain loop on one end. String

a round bead and make another

plain loop. Repeat to make four bead

links (or as many as needed for your

bracelet). Connect the loops and

components in the desired pattern.

Attach a jump ring to one end of the

bracelet and attach a jump ring and

clasp to the other end.

Try Something Different

Once you understand the steps and are comfortable with this technique, try creating

faux coral using a bright red enamel background with black paint. How about faux

turquoise using a light/greenish blue with green paint?

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This project is not to be digitally reproduced and is intended only for in-store use as a participant of Kalmbach Books Reward program. This project is copyright protected and property of the author. Any misuse of this policy will result in immediate cancellation of the Rewards program benefits. Effective 2013.