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When Enamel Met Steel
Are you a skilled enamelist looking to learn a new way of approaching the process and materials, someone just getting started, or somewhere in between? This demo-focused virtual workshop is suitable for enamellist of all levels and will cover the do's, don’ts, and overall approach of enameling on steel. The ferrous metal (containing or consisting of iron) steel behaves very differently from its non-ferrous counterparts (traditionally used for the enameling process) and this technique can therefore be intimidating to approach but opens up a wide array of options for enamelists.
Meet the instructor
Ben is a jeweler and metals artist in Bloomington, IN. He graduated from Indiana University in May of 2019 with a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design. He has supplemented his education through workshops at Arrowmont Craft School and an apprenticeship in Japan. He has participated in residencies at the Baltimore Jewelry Center and Arrowmont. Ben has exhibited his work internationally, in the United States, the Netherlands, Germany and Canada.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name to be redirected to a page where you can view the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is not required - observers are welcome.
Metal/raw materials:
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4oz x steel ground coat (Thompson)
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2oz x titanium white (Thompson)
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2oz x sea green (Thompson)
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3x3 x enameled steel plates - 28g (Thompson)
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1 x silver foil (e-namels)
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1 x gold foil - 24k (e-namels)
Torch setup:
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1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
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1 x Solderite™ pad / pan with pumice (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if getting Silversmith (Rio Grande)
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1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)
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1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)
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1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)
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1 x cross lock tweezers (Rio Grande)
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1 x paste flux (Rio Grande)
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1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
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1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal
Basic enameling setup with kiln:
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1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
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1 x kiln - mini or full size (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x sifter set - 60, 100, 150 mesh (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
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1 x steel screen - for your kiln size (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
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1 x steel trivet - for your kiln size (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
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1 x firing fork / spatula (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
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1 x tongs or tweezers - for moving hot objects (Rio Grande)
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1 x basic sheet mica (Thompson)
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1 x eutectic solder (Thompson)
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sink or large tub of water - for cleaning enamel
Hand tools:
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1 x snips / flush cutters (Rio Grande)
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1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
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1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)
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1 x burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)
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1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x center punch (Rio Grande)
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1 x chasing hammer (Rio Grande)
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1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
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1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
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1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
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any other thompson enamel colors you like or want to work with
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hard work surface
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fan and open window - or ventilation system
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safety glasses (for rotary and for bright light from kiln)
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pencil, Sharpie, notebook
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rags/towels