Enameling Blog of Cloisonné & Many Other Enameling Techniques

Welcome to my Enameling Blog of Cloisonné Jewelry Techniques and others, Plique a Jour, Champlevé Enameling and yes Painting Enamels.

My site is a donation of everyone’s time to share and further the education of the fine art of enameling techniques. I am very happy to answer questions to help you, but please ask here and not emailing me directly. At the bottom of this page there is a comment section. Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!!

I share my life’s passion and inspiration with anyone who wishes to read. I am a self-taught enamelist and goldsmith. I did not live here in the US where there was a knowledge base and to my advantage, my knowledge came from trial and error and today I continue to build on trial and error.

Read, test, analyze, and you will surely learn.

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Lead-Free Enamel Painting Colours by W.G BALL

Review by Rebecca Di Filippo

After working for years with different Onglaze enamels with and without lead like Sunshine by Ferro, Heraeus, Schjerning, Bombino and Sebino, I am happy to have tried the lead-free enamels for enamel painting by W.G Ball. I did several tests on different bases to get a more general idea of the product.

The medium they are sold with is really easy to apply in a uniform layer, which is ideal for beginners. In the same way, it is easy to make thin lines, work with thin or thick layers. A very dense or more liquid color can be obtained by dosing the medium and the thinners, also influencing the drying times. I usually prefer ”never-dry” mediums that don’t dry even after months, but it was pleasant and easy to work with this medium. The medium is suitable for use with brush, sponge, quill pen and needle.

All the enamels are very shiny after fired. Ivory and blue seem to be harder than others. In fact, in the test madeon a pre-enamelled tile (the largest in the picture) where they have been applied quite thick (to test their expansions),and fired only once, they turn out slightly less shiny than others. In pieces fired more than once they are as shiny as the others (from the second fire). The colors are very covering, especially if used on a white base: if you want to work with thin layers and obtain soft shades, I recommend choosing the white 7312 WGB (opaque, but slightly opalescent) applied directly on copper (this enamel is very resistant and doesn’t turn green easily even if applied thin). This white makes the colors even shinier.

Reference: plate with the flower made in three firings, excluding the preparation of the base. The color palette was made in one layer and fired three times, the flower with three thin layers. The red color is surprisingly resistant even if fired several times and applied in thin layers as it can be seen from different tests. It doesn’t react well on the white Schauer 202: although it is compatible it tends to burn faster. If a layer of Soyer 101 is applied over the Schauer 202 enamel, this defect disappears.

The enamels have been tested on different bases to test their compatibility, which is very good both on lead enamels and without. Personally, I had difficulty using them on the 7582 WGB base: in some colors, there were some white ”lines” that show imperfect compatibility. These lines disappear if the enamel is applied in thinner layers. Furthermore, this base has a very cold tone. The tests were made with the original mesh. Personally, if I had to use these colors for my usual miniatures, which are very very small, I would grind them a little bit more, as I’m used to old onglaze enamel with very thin mesh.

All the colors are very beautiful and vivid. Yellow, ivory and jade are my favorites. Blue and red are compatible and you get a nice purple tone. The only thing I don’t like about these colors is blue being lilac before firing. This is common in opaque enamels, but in the case of painting enamels it makes it difficult to work, especially when you need to mix it with other colours.

The value for money is noticeable. They are very convenient. Another reason why I think they are perfect for beginners! I recommend buying the entire color palette. I used them in powder form, which I prefer because I can handle it better. A good medium is pine oil or a water base medium, also liquid paraffin.

Thank you Rebecca!

You can find these enamels at https://www.e-namels.com/category/W.G.-Ball-Lead-Free-Painting-Enamel-49

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Reid and Plique a Jour

Many of you understand this amazing technique of Plique a Jour. My amazing Grandson Reid is on his second piece of plique a jour. He has far surpassed many artist I have had the pleasure of working with even when he first joined me in the studio at 13 years. At 16, with school and activities, he does not get much time to create jewels, but when he does his patients at saw piercing is incredible.

Stay tuned as this becomes a 3d plique a jour enamel jewel.

Reid and plique a jour

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“Custom Cloisonne Jewelry and Custom Enamel Jewelry are a delight to me. Contact me if I can create a jewel of your very own inspired personal adornment! All of my creations are One of a Kind Jewelry, whether in Cloisonne Necklaces, Cloisonne Earrings or Enamel Jewels such as Plique a Jour, I am thrilled to design for you.”

Patsy Croft