Earrings with Enameled Copper Sheet and Gemstone Cabochons
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Design Idea PE34
-- Designer --
Patti, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
To learn more about Patti Miller, read her jewelry artist success story here.
: : : Materials : : :
Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design.
Please take the creative opportunity to select the products of your choice for this design, offered here at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Some materials may not be available or listed.
- Cabochon, nephrite jade (natural), 10x8mm calibrated oval, B grade, Mohs hardness 6 to 6-1/2
- Link, JBB Findings, antique copper-plated brass, 11.5x9mm oval with open back and decorative trim, 10x8mm oval bezel setting
- Jump ring, antique copper-plated brass, 5mm round, 3.1mm inside diameter, 19 gauge
- Sheet, copper, half-hard, 6x6-inch square, 22 gauge
- Ear wire, antique copper-plated copper, 22mm fishhook with 8x4mm teardrop and open loop, 18 gauge
- Enamel, Vitrearc©, opaque Daphne blue, medium fusing
- Enamel, Vitrearc©, opaque jungle green, medium fusing
- Sifter, steel and plastic, red, 5-1/4 inches with 1-1/4 x 7/8 inch 40-mesh screen
- Third hand with magnifier, steel and glass, 2x power, 2-1/2 inch diameter magnifying lens
- Torch, Micro Torch, steel and acrylic, black, 6x4 inches
- Tripod with mesh screen, steel, 9 inches tall with (2) 5x5-inch mesh screens
- Trivet, stainless steel, 2 x 2 x 1-1/2 inch, 3-point
Instructions
Step 1: Set Cabochon
Set two 10x8mm oval nephrite jade cabochons in 10x8mm oval bezel-setting links with a bezel roller.
Step 2: Prepare Disc
Punch two 22mm discs out of 22-gauge half-hard copper sheet with a disc cutter.
Punch a hole in each disc approximately 1/8 inch from the edge, using hole punch pliers.
Sand the edges of the discs and the back of the holes with a coarse sanding pad.
Clean the discs with copper cleaner and a toothbrush to remove any coatings, dirt or oil. Then rinse with clean water and pat dry with a towel.
Step 3: Counter-Enamel
Plug in and begin to warm a small crock pot dedicated to pickling metal. Use Sparex® pickling compound and water as indicated on the Sparex package.
Position a triangular enameling trivet in a third hand so it is level and firmly clipped.
Fold, crease and unfold a piece of paper and place it under the trivet.
Put on an N93 mask and safety glasses.
Use the smallest sifter to shake a layer of black enamel powder onto the back sides of the discs. Be sure the holes are clear.
Move the trivet, clamped in the third hand, to the edge of the tripod on a tripod screen.
Fold the paper and pour the remainder of the enamel powder back into the enamel container and cap it tightly. Discard the paper, taking care that all loose enamel powder is cleaned up with a wet paper towel. Discard the towel.
Use the Max Flame torch to heat the discs from underneath. Move the flame around the bottom of the discs to heat them evenly, until you get a uniform glass consistency. Let the discs cool naturally.
Pickle the discs by placing them into the crockpot for a few minutes, until the black scale has been removed. Remove with copper tongs, rinse with water and pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 4: Second Counter-Enamel Layer
Use the smallest sifter to shake a second layer of black enamel powder onto the back sides of the discs. Be sure the holes are clear.
Move the trivet, clamped in the third hand, to the edge of the tripod on a tripod screen.
Fold the paper and pour the remainder of the enamel powder back into the enamel container and cap it tightly. Discard the paper, taking care that all loose enamel powder is cleaned up with a wet paper towel. Discard the towel.
Use the Max Flame torch to heat the discs from underneath. Move the flame around the bottom of the discs to heat them evenly, until you get a uniform glass consistency. Let the discs cool naturally.
Pickle the discs by placing them into the crockpot for a few minutes, until the black scale has been removed. Remove with copper tongs, rinse with water and pat dry with a paper towel.
Sand the front of the discs to remove white film from pickling.
Step 5: Front Enamel Base Layers
Position a triangular enameling trivet in a third hand so it is level and firmly clipped.
Fold, crease and unfold a piece of paper and place it under the trivet.
Put on an N93 mask and safety glasses.
Use the sifter to shake a layer of jungle green enamel powder onto the front side of the discs. Be sure the holes are clear.
Move the trivet, clamped in the third hand, to the edge of the tripod on a tripod screen.
Fold the paper and pour the remainder of the enamel powder back into the enamel container and cap it tightly. Discard the paper, taking care that all loose enamel powder is cleaned up with a wet paper towel. Discard the towel.
Use the Max Flame torch to heat the discs from underneath. Move the flame around the bottom of the discs to heat them evenly, until you get a uniform glass consistency. Let the discs cool naturally.
Step 6: Second Front Enamel Layer
Use the sifter to shake a second layer of jungle green enamel powder onto the front side of the discs. Be sure the holes are clear.
Move the trivet, clamped in the third hand, to the edge of the tripod on a tripod screen.
Fold the paper and pour the remainder of the enamel powder back into the enamel container and cap it tightly. Discard the paper, taking care that all loose enamel powder is cleaned up with a wet paper towel. Discard the towel.
Use the Max Flame torch to heat the discs from underneath. Move the flame around the bottom of the discs to heat them evenly, until you get a uniform glass consistency. Let the discs cool naturally.
Step 7: Front Enamel Sgraffito Layer
Use the sifter to shake a slightly thicker layer of Daphne blue enamel powder on top of the jungle green enamel. Be sure the hole is clear.
Use a very fine paintbrush to gently brush away paths in the Daphne blue powder until you are happy with the design.
Move the trivet, clamped in the third hand, to the edge of the tripod on a tripod screen.
Fold the paper and pour the remainder of the enamel powder back into the enamel container and cap it tightly. Discard the paper, taking care that all loose enamel powder is cleaned up with a wet paper towel. Discard the towel.
Use the Max Flame torch to heat the discs from underneath. Move the flame around the bottom of the discs to heat them evenly, until you get a uniform glass consistency. Let the discs cool naturally.
Lightly sand the edges of the discs with a sanding pad to remove any fire scale.
Step 8: Finish Earring
Attach a disc to the bottom of a link setting with a 5mm 19-gauge antique copper-plated brass jump ring.
Attach an ear wire to the top of the link setting.
Repeat for the second earring.
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