CLOISONNÉ EARRINGS | ADVANCED
1: DRAW & TRACE Draw or print out your design onto paper and trace
around the lines with the fine Silver wire using a pair of fine tweezers to achieve the sharp bends. Keep checking the shape against the drawing and the fine Silver blanks to make sure that they fit. While wearing safety glasses, use a pair of snips to cut the wire once you have achieved your desired shape.
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4: DIP Using Blu-Stic gum adhesive, dip the wire shape in at
an angle covering just the base. Position the wires onto the pre-enamelled blanks and allow them to dry fully before firing in the kiln.
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2: PREPARE Prepare the enamels by washing them in distilled
water. I used Kingfisher (860 408), Pale Blue (860 425) & Medium White (860 523). Once washed, leave the enamels immersed in the water ready for painting onto the fine Silver blanks.
SAFETY TIP While working with powdered enamels always use
a cup mask to prevent breathing them in.
5: FIRE Fire the blanks in the kiln at 820˚C for one minute to
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allow the wire to stick to the surface as the enamel melts. Straight after removing the pieces from the kiln, gently press the wires with a pallet knife to make sure they are fully attached and have no gaps underneath. Ensure that you are properly supporting the piece on the wire mesh while doing this as it will be extremely hot.
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3: APPLY Apply a thin base layer of Silver enamel flux onto the
surface of the fine Silver blanks and fire for one minute on a steel mesh at 820˚C. Carefully remove it from the kiln using a firing fork and place on a heat resistant rest allowing the pieces to cool down fully before handling.
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