Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: A Workshop in Painting with Fire [Paperback]

Barbara Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2011

Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry combines beading and wire-working techniques with the intense beauty of torch-fired enameled beads. Metal becomes your canvas as you learn the basics of enameling with a torch, then dive into 22 exquisite pieces, ranging from quirky “cattywampus” earrings to ethereal pendants to delicate multi-stranded necklaces. Find out how easy it is to create unique and colorful enamel pieces in this innovative, comprehensive guide to the world of torch-fired enameling.

Inside you’ll find:

· A hands-on, in-depth approach to enameling beads, pendants and other metal findings using a torch instead of a kiln.

· An extensive enameling workshop, with information on equipment, materials and safety considerations.

· Tips and tricks for making truly unique pieces: learn how to modulate color, create burnt edges and manipulate the gas/oxygen ratio to achieve color flashes and smoky hazes.

· Jewelry and metal-working techniques, from wire-wrapping to etching copper sheet, that create a perfect backdrop to your stunning enamel creations.

Light the torch, gather your enamels and start painting with fire in Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Featured Project by Barbara Lewis: Harem Bracelet

I can't decide if this is a bracelet or an anklet. It can only be an anklet if you're willing to break out into dance when you wear it! Whatever you decide, this piece is fun and easy to make. It's perfect for the hodgepodge of leftovers on your worktable--a "bench collection" of sorts. Don't dwell on planning your design; if you go with the flow, it will truly reflect you and your work.

Findings

• 1⁄4" × 7" (6mm × 17.78cm) foam tube
• 1⁄4 yard (0.23m)
• woven fabric
• 19-gauge annealed steel wire
• 22-gauge
• sterling wire
• assorted manufactured beads and flower bead caps
• eight 11mm solid jump rings
• four 12mm corrugated iron beads
• one copper-plated lobster clasp
• ribbon and fiber strands
• two 17mm iron flower bead caps

Enamels

• Clover, opaque (1715)
• Lime yellow, transparent (2230)
• Pumpkin, opaque (1850)
• Turquoise, transparent (2435)
• White, opaque (1055)

Tools

• Chain-nose pliers
• Iron and ironing board or mat
• Round-nose pliers
• Scissors
• Spray adhesive
• Wire cutters

Preparing Fabric for Cutting Bias Strips

Establish the straight of grain: Use scissors to place a snip into the selvedge edge of woven fabric, about 1" (2.54cm) from the cut edge. (The selvedge edges are the two finished edges of the fabric as it comes from the factory.) Tear the fabric at the snip.

Establish the bias grain: Place the fabric on a flat surface. Pick up one corner of the fabric and bring the end diagonally across the fabric so that one torn edge of the fabric will rest on top of one selvedge edge of the fabric. Press the fold with an iron.

Instructions

1. Use the directions at left to establish the straight of grain and the bias grain for 1/4 yard (0.23m) of woven fabric. Cut through the ironed fold in the fabric.  
2. Measure and mark 1" (2.54cm) from the cut edge along the length of the fabric. Cut a 15" (38.1cm) bias strip.
3. Spray adhesive on a 1⁄4" × 7" (6mm × 17.78cm) piece of foam tubing. Starting at one end and working across, wrap the bias strip around the foam.
4. Enamel four 12mm corrugated beads: one in white with lime yellow on top, one in white with turquoise on top, one in pumpkin and one in clover. Enamel two 17mm flower bead caps in pumpkin and clover.
5. Thread a 4" (10.16cm) segment of 22-gauge sterling silver wire through a solid jump ring and make a wrapped loop. Thread a bead cap, an enamel bead and another bead cap onto the wire.
6. Make a wrapped loop flush against the bead cap, but before finishing it, attach a small rhinestone dangle link. Wrap the loop with the excess wire. Create six dangles. You can choose to add different enamel and manufactured findings to the dangles as desired. Go wild!
7. Wrap a bundle of ribbon and fiber strands around the tubing, starting 1" (2.54cm) from the end. Tie the ends in overhand knots to secure.
8. Slide a dangle onto the bracelet. Wrap another ribbon and fiber bundle after the first dangle to keep it from sliding on the bracelet. Continue sliding on dangles and wrapping bundles on the bracelet, stopping 1" (2.54cm) from the end and ending with a ribbon and fiber bundle.  
9. Pierce the end of the foam bracelet with 3" (7.62cm) of 19-gauge annealed steel wire. Fold the ends up, keeping one end longer than the other. Wrap the shorter wire end around the longer wire end.
10. Thread an enamel bead cap onto the wire. Trim the excess wire and make a simple loop flush against the bead cap. Attach an 11mm solid jump ring to the loop.
11. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 on the other side of the bracelet, but attach a lobster clasp before closing the simple loop.

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From the Author

I am so proud of the work I did for this book!  The "immersion" technique of torch-firing is groundbreaking!  Can you imagine enameling a bead in 40 seconds instead of 40 minutes?  How about enameling pendants in the same amount of time, but also embedding watch gears and millefiori wafers while the pendant is still on the mandrel.  Easy, quick, and extremely affordable! No $500 kilns required.  For about $100 you'll have the torch, the bead pulling station (the workhorse of the system), several enamels, copper pieces and metal beads, mandrels, clamps ... everything you need for a beginning enamel studio.

Besides the enameling part, you'll learn how to make a no-solder bezel and a rivet that requires no hammer!  There's some cool fold-forming and metalworking projects that use simple tools ... a pair of metal snips, a two-hole punch, and a hammer.  It doesn't get more basic than that but wait 'til you see the jewelry you can create!  Welcome to my world!  I hope you'll join me here.  If you want to check out the torch-fired enamel scene, please join me at paintingwithfire.ning.com, where it's all about torch-firing. Also, please check out the website for my book:  torchfiredenameljewelry.com.  :-)  Barbara

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (August 31, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440308861
• ISBN-13: 978-1440308864
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.4 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (237 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Pottery & Ceramics
  • #18 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Mixed-Media
  • #22 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Metal Work

More About the Author

"Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: a Workshop in Painting with Fire" named Best Craft Book of 2011 at Amazon!http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000744591

Barbara Lewis has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from The George Washington University. For over 15 years she produced functional and decorative ceramics from her home studio for exhibition and sale in the Washington, D.C. area. She applies the knowledge she gained from firing gas kilns to her torch-fired enamel pieces. Her understanding of controlled over-firing and how the atmosphere of the flame produces unique effects is a personal interest. She shares this information with her students at her popular Painting with Fire Workshops, which focus on this unique immersion process of torch-fired enamel.

In her book, Barbara shares how she not only pioneered the enameling of iron beads, but developed a nifty no-solder bezel and a timesaving "heat rivet." Her work has been published in many magazines including Belle Armoire Jewelry, Handcrafted Jewelry, Bead Trends, Bead Unique, and Stringing. She has studios in Bushwood, MD and St. Petersburg, FL.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Get the enamels out of storage! August 22, 2011

By Jennifer VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I pre-ordered this book in May and it was worth the wait!

The book is divided into 2 main sections. The first section is dedicated to technique and technical aspects of torch fired enamel jewelry. The second section is dedicated to projects, but also includes several additional techniques not included in the 1st section.

Information included in the tech section starts with a brief history of this particular enameling technique. The first technical aspect you learn about is what types of metal are appropriate for enameling, what colors to start out with (because there are SO MANY COLOR CHOICES!), how the colors interact with each other, appropriate method for using transparent vs. opaque, using the torch flame to advantage. That is just the beginning.

Barbara Lewis also covers how to set up a proper workspace and the few tools you will need (not many at ALL!) and the most important tool, the torch. This technique does not require an expensive torch or an elaborate set-up. I will give you a little hint...the Fireworks torch can be purchased at Hobby Lobby. Use a 40% coupon and get it for a GREAT price.

Included in the info about tools is a box titled Drill Bits Demystified which is incredibly helpful when trying to order bits or deciding which size you need to use for which size wire.

There are two pages of how to torch fire beads with large clear photos and step by step instructions with tips sprinkled about to help you achieve success. The two pages after that include how to torch fire pendants and charms, safety, enameling tips, and a FULL page dedicated to troubleshooting....

Following that is two pages dedicated to large clear photos and step by step instructions for torch firing head pins and twisty tendrils with great info and a warning to not skip a single step.

Barabara covers etching copper, heat riveting, terminology, then basic jewelry making techniques before jumping into the projects.

Let me just say, at this point in the book (the end of the techniques section), the book is an incredible deal. I took an enameling class with Susan Lenart Kazmer (which I LOVED and made some wonderful things) which cost me around $300 (probably more, but I don't remember for sure) and then I couldn't easily adapt the technique at home because my torch is stationary and the technique we used there required sifting enamel and being able to move the torch around. The last thing I want to do is try to move my lampwork torch around as there is not really a safe way to do that.

Anyway, even though the book is a great value with just the technique section, there is still an entire section of the book dedicated to over 20 projects! The thing is, it's not just some ideas of how to string your enameled components. There are all kinds of metal working how-to's sprinkled throughout. There are tons of LARGE, clear, beautiful photos with step-by steps. Materials lists are thorough. Plus, I just love looking at Barb's work. The book really is beautiful.

If you have any interest in enameling or using enameled components, you will love this book. I am completely fired up to try this technique. Read more ›

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ... and it's more than just enamel tips and tricks August 23, 2011

By desertyoginidakini

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I rarely write reviews, but this book impressed me so much, I just had to give it a shout out. If you are debating about purchasing this book, dither no longer, buy it. Very well written, excellent step by step instructions with clear photos. Each project includes an extensive materials list, including tools needed for the project. In addition to the enameling technique instructions, this book also contains lots of tips for working with metal, from etching to forming. I'm pleased to report that I picked up a few tricks just by flipping through it on the first read. Lots of cool jewelry to look at to. Inspired me to try my hand at enameling.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Torch Fired Enameld Jewelry August 14, 2011

By Nan

Format:Paperback

Hot and I do mean hot! A sizzling book that leaves nothing to the imagination about the immersion version of enameling .Barbara Lewis has set the pages on fire with the techniques of firing enamels with a torch. She has refined and redefined for all of us who have been afraid to pick up a torch and light it, much less make beautiful beads and pendants.
You will be entranced by the technique filled pages that are filled with steps from basic color combinations to "just where to put the cat whiskers".
The pictures are beautifully done, and her instructions are clear and easy to understand. It makes you want to run out and buy some enamels and begin right NOW, but wait! Read the book , first.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sizzling Hot Book! August 21, 2011

By Kathy Combs

Format:Paperback

I spent the entire day with Barbara Lewis's new book yesterday. I'd read a while, work on a new technique in the studio, read, work. Barbara is a master at delivering clear, concise, step-by-step instructions on the art of torch fired enameling. The projects in the book are truly inspiring and easy to follow even for beginners. Every page is packed with technique and tips that not only teach but also inspire your own creative energies. Barbara is truly a master artist and teacher. I hope to one day be able to take a class from her, but until then, this book is the next best thing. A must have for all jewelry artists!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Making enameled jewelry without a kiln January 31, 2013

By Rick Cook

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

One thing that keeps many would-be jewelers from using enamel in their projects is the lack of a kiln. A decent small one costs several hundred dollars and most need a heavy-duty electrical outlet. This book shows you how to use a large jeweler's torch to enamel small pieces. The process is no more difficult than silver soldering and the results on small pieces are more than satisfactory. If you have normal jeweler's equipment and want to get started in enameling this is a good place to start.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! August 22, 2011

By sharon b.

Format:Paperback

Barabara has taken jewelry making to a new level! This book is so easy to understand, concise , and beautifully photographed. The reader is drawn right in and eager to learn Barbara's techniques and projects.
I haven't been able to put this book down. Riveting, and so inspiring!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy enameling November 23, 2011

By jojobean

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I wanted to learn to enamel beads with a torch as I didn't have an enameling kilm. I'm so glad I read the reviews and bought the book. It took the mystery out of the process and I find it a lot easier to use a torch than a kiln.
If your the least bit interested buy the book, you'll be very glad you did. Check out her website too as this will give you access to the author herself :)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry August 21, 2011

By Michelle

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm doing the happy dance. I got the book today, and I love it. Right off the bat it handled two problems for me. Barbara is so open and sharing. I love it that she puts the actual name of the color of enamel, and not just a generic "purple or green". It is a very easy book to scan through, and the pictures are really nice. I definitely will be recommending this book to anyone I know that is interested in enameling.