Bead Chain

I tried using the hot dip method of torch firing on some stainless steel bead chain. My thought was the enamel would not go inside the beads and the chain would remain flexible.

For the most part it worked, but I need to get some different enamel, with the correct coefficient of expansion for stainless. As you can see in the photo, most of the enamel came off as it cooled. I think it looks cool anyway.

Torch fired

Last week I tried out some of the techniques described in Barbara Lewis' book torch-fired enamel jewelry. I had a rocky start because did not pay close enough attention to what she said about the type of gas and torch to use.

While I like the funky, somewhat, unpredictable results of the technique; which consists of dipping or rolling hot steel findings in enamel...I found the process tedious and lacking creative challenge. Once I fired a bunch of the store bought components and some home made head pins, I found assembly to be an equally unrewarding task in which you almost can't go wrong.

For me, the fun part was in the final product. Here is what I made...