(***It is VERY hard to photograph white on silver on white...sorry about the picture quality. I did the best I could.)
The pieces I am using as all old scrap pieces...that I will recycle someday...but for now...I am using them as a testing ground. So in other words...I am not working on the design of a particular piece...just the color outcome.
I am using an unfamiliar brand of enamel. I started experimenting yesterday with 3 test pieces. I fired them on 1450...which was obviously too high, because they came out YELLOW...Yuck! The below picture is with 2 coats of flux and 1 coat of trans. white. The white is an ugly color because it is touching the silver...which is a no-no!! But trust me under the white is an ugly yellow flux!!!
I am not concerned about the orangy-brown on the surface of the silver(as this will be stoned off)...just the recessed areas. Did not get the clarity I was looking for...So I decided to start over and lower the temperature. Below is a pic of what the piece looks like after before it's fired. THIN LAYERS!!!
1st coat fired at 1400 for 2.00 minutes. Result: came out clear but not all the way melted...I would say just a tad bit after the orange peel stage. Put a second coat of flux on piece. (See pic below)
2nd firing @ 1420 for 2.00 minutes. Result: came out clear but again not all the way melted...so I put in again for another minute...a little better. Not a coat of enamel this time.
3rd firing at 1425 for 3.15 minutes. Result: Came out clear and 95 % melted!!
I will put one one more coat and fire a little longer and a tad bit hotter.
4th firing at 1430 for 3.45 minutes. Result: Perfectly Beautiful!!! (see picture below)
Don't forget to wick, dry and tap your pieces BEFORE you fire them.
I really, really, really think the "secret" to clear enameling is THIN COATS. I can't stress this enough!!!!
And there ya go!! These tests are a good starting point for any enamelist!!
Good Luck on your journey!! and Happy Tax day!!! Taxes are due on Tuesday...UGH!!!:-(
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