Barbara Minor Post-Conference Workshop: ENAMELING: Seed Bead Inlay + Gold/Silver Foils + Opaque/Transparent Enamels
Learn to create vibrant enamel surface and accent enamel designs by incorporating inlay and foil techniques with opaque or transparent enamels. Working on flat or very slightly formed copper in combination with opaque (or transparent) enamels, you will be able to achieve detail, texture and pattern
Time & Location
Jul 19, 2023, 9:00 AM MDT – Jul 22, 2023, 4:00 PM MDT
Arapahoe Community College, Art & Design Center, 2400 W Alamo Ave, Littleton, CO 80120
Guests
About The Event
Workshop takes place at Arapahoe Community College, Art & Design Center, 2400 W Alamo Ave, Littleton, CO 80120 - Room AD3200
Free visitor parking will be available in LOT J, which is adjacent to the Art & Design Center.
Maps here: https://www.arapahoe.edu/about-acc/locations/campus-maps/art-and-design-center
Attendees must bring with them the following supplies:
- Copper shapes - 18-22 gauge - these can be any shape you choose, but please keep them between 1.5"-2".
Participants can cut these out themselves - or - order precut shapes from copper shape suppliers.
I recommend choosing shapes that are within 2” x 2” and are flat or slightly domed.
Purchasing or creating these shapes prior to the workshop will save time during class.
- Jeweler’s Saw Blades – 00-000
- Scotch Brite – green scrubber pads
- Copper sheet – 20 – 24 gauge (my preference is 22 gauge for a 2" circle) - you will need this only if you did not prepare plenty of shapes prior to the workshop or plan to cut additional shapes during class.
- Apron
- Kitchen towel type rag(s)
- sketchbook/notebook and pen
- Small jar with lid for klyr fire and water mixture
- Larger jar for water used to rinse brush
- 1” wide flat watercolor brush
- Graded sifter set - lid, 80, 100, 150, 200, 325 mesh screens, catch pan.*** for grade sifting transparent enamel - instead of or in addition to washing transparent enamels these will be provided for participants use during the workshop and then will be available for purchase as desired at the end of the workshop.
- Individual sifters – 80. 100, 150, 200 – 2.5” diameter x 2” high*** these will be provided for participants use during the workshop and then will be available for purchase as desired at the end of the workshop.
- Silver enameling foil
https://www.enamelartsupply.com/foils/silver-foil
https://thompsonenamel.com/product/sf-1-silver-foil/
- Gold enameling foil (optional – expensive!)
https://www.enamelartsupply.com/foils/gold-foil
https://thompsonenamel.com/product/gf-4-gold-foil/
- Tracing paper or vellum
- Hole punch and/or decorative paper punches – any shape or size
- Small sharp scissors
- Small pointed paint brush – need not be expensive – whatever you have that is small.
- Small pointed tweezers
Seed Bead Inlay Supplies and Small Tools: Individual Use
- Diamond Ball Burr - 1.9mm - 2.1mm for #11 seed beads***
Or size that matches the millimeter size of your seed beads
https://www.riogrande.com/product/diamond-ball-burs/343023gp
- Small pointed tweezers – those with a slightly blunted tip and a texture on the inside of the points work well
https://www.riogrande.com/product/locking-diamond-tweezers-medium-tip/115092
- Pointed paint brush - #1 watercolor type
https://www.riogrande.com/product/non-contaminating-flux-brush/115141
- Shallow dish with lid to prepare/use/save glue mixture
- C-Thru ruler – 6”
- #11 - #8 glass seed beads (no mylar lining) ***
Solid colors - Miyuki is a good brand
Best to start with solid opaque colors.
NO plastic beads, NO metallics and NO mylar liner.
There are many suppliers that sell seed beads in varying quantities. A Google search for “11/0 Glass Seed Beads” will give you many options.
Be aware of suppliers offering a box with lots of color choices as these can sometimes be "coated" with color. The color burns off in the kiln.
- Striped seed beads - these may be hard to find in small quantities***
- Small pointed paint brush – need not be expensive
- Sharpie Marker – fine tip
Optional Supplies
Lagniappe (something given as a bonus or extra gift) Inlay Techniques
Participants may bring any of these items to class. Some*** will be available from Barbara.
- Enamel Frit – large sizes ***
- Thompson Enamel has 6/20 bead frit in many colors.
- Schlaiffer’s Enamel Supply - https://www.enameling.com/Embellishments.html#P3
- Glass seed beads – any size – solid colors or striped ***
- Corrugated copper cloisonne wire ***
- bronze or copper screen mesh scrap ***
- Glass Threads***
- Schlaiffer’s Enamel Supply - https://www.enameling.com/Embellishments.html#P3
- Left over bits of bronze or copper screen mesh ***
- Enameling Foil - fine silver or 24kt gold – left over scrap
- Copper "scrubbie" pads
- Old enamel pieces you don’t like that you are willing to destroy
- Enamel firing racks that need “cleaning”.
- Copper tubing – 4-5mm diameter – cut into lengths that are 2-3mm high (max.)
- Mille Fiore
- Schlaiffer’s Enamel Supply - https://www.enameling.com/Embellishments.html#P3
Technical information presented includes a brief introduction to essential and fundamental information and skills for successful enameling.
Day 1 - Morning/Afternoon
work area– choices, set-up and safe procedures
metals and enamel types suitable for this technique
metal preparation
metal doming procedures for this technique
fast and effective methods of cleaning metal prior enameling
enamel preparation - opaque vs. transparent enamels
TR grade sifting vs. washing
application and firing of counter enamel and base coats on copper
sifted enamel application methods
purpose and guidelines for counter enameling
multiple firings for OP/TR smoothness and TR clarity
seed bead placement
participant working time
Day 2
seed bead inlay with opaque enamels
placement and firing of seed beads for differing pattern and textural effects
surface grinding to create flush inlay “dots” in your design
participant working time
silver/gold foils with transparent enamels
foil application - pattern or small pieces vs. larger surface areas
TR color over foils
participant working time
Day 3
combination of foils + seed bead inlay
other inlay techniques - shards, bronze screen, copper tubes (examples/discussion), conglomerate, scrap from old pieces, enameling foil spit balls(examles/discussion)
participant working time
Day 4
edge finishing
setting examples (examples/discussion)
participant working time / clean up
The objectives are for participants ...
- to understand enameling basics relative to processes taught
- to achieve exciting surfaces that exceed expected results.
- to gain confidence while exploring and experimenting with these enameling techniques and gain confidence to continue using the processes in their own studios.
Class will include...
- time for participants to work on techniques presented
- a detailed list of tools, materials and suppliers
- process order outline with images of examples - seed beads and foils
Tickets
Regular
$750.00Sale ended
Total
$0.00