Several years ago I read an article by Bill Helwig on Plique a Jour using copper sheet and a backing of copper foil. Not until recently did I find the time to experiment with the art of plique a jour and remembered this article to review as I began my exploration. I could remember him saying enamels do not adhere to copper. This is why you can use copper as a backing and peel it off after you are finished.
At this time this link had here is not working. Glass on Metal is no longer being published. I will try to get hold of this publication and post it here. Stay tuned!
One of the wonderful properties of copper and enamels is the warm qualities it give the enamel! In image one he has cut out the copper sheet and in image two he has secured the copper foil to the back of his design. From here he has filled the cells and fired to the point of completion and of course there is fire scale to deal with but he has created a beautiful piece!
Plique a Jour by Bill Helwig
More plique a jour,
I have used titanium add a backing for my plique a jour on fine silver. I have stoned the back and then flash fired but still have a film on the enamels where they were in contact with the titanium. It looks like titanium and refuses to budge. Next port of call is the dremel and grinder under water.
Hi Vivien, after you stoned the enamels did you rinse and clean with the glass brush? This removes the enamel dust. Then re-fire. Patsy
Vivien, if you can take a photo it would help me know better. I will be traveling the next week but will check in to see if you have posted again.
Thanks, Patsy
Hi Patsy, my apologies for the long delay getting back to you – yes, I have tried using glass brush after stoning and it doesn’t budge. No, I haven’t re-fired. I have done p-a-j on copper and fine silver. Copper was done on shelf paper, took a lot of work but shifted most of the residue, not good enough to showcase and no pictures unfortunately. The glass has started to crack so I need to re-fire. Three of the fine silver ones were done on titanium, one piece was done on copper foil. When I hold the pieces up, they all have some light come through, the titanium ones are slightly better in this respect.
Vivien, I have used backings and the best one I found is a platinum foil. It can be rolled to .002 in. But the most successful technique I have used is to float the enamels in the cells. Here is a video from my website, scroll down and watch the demo https://alohilanidesigns.com/topics/plique-a-jour/ after you wash your enamels wick out the water and add klyre-fire one part to 5 parts water and float the enamels in the cell.
Try this, Patsy
Thank you Patsy, I shall definitely try the floating technique you describe. I will let you know how I get on.
Thanks Bongo, Yes,the link is broken. GOM is not online at the moment and as soon as they are back up the will be repaired.
To answer your question the enamel in plique a jour is inside the cells and will not fall out. If you were to enamel on copper foil or try plique on copper foil, when complete you gentle peel the foil backing off.
Another solution is to use Klyre-fire solution added to your enamel, 1 part klyre-fire 5 parts distilled water. And float the enamels in the cell.
Happy Enameling! Patsy
Thanks for the links, hints and great advice. The tutorial with copper foil as a backing worked well with a copper piece as long as I was diligent in cleaning up the cutouts and used the same care with firescale cleanup between torch firings.
I tried the copper foil with .999 silver piece and managed to get it so hot that the foil fused with (alloyed with?) the silver…I broke the glass attempting (unsuccessfully) to get the foil off. I will try the titanium backing with the silver next – and maybe attempt to exercise a little more torch temp control at the same time.
Sounds interesting. I use a kiln to have more temp. control. Just bring the torch up very slowly and you will see the enamel melt.
Good luck. Patsy