Craft of Copper Enamelling

Art of Painting on Metal

Dec 30, 2008 Aileen McLeod

Like many crafts there are certain essential materials and equipment in copper enamelling. Craft suppliers and technical colleges can supply many of these.

Enamelling on copper is a craft that opens doors to the hobbyist and the experienced craftsperson alike. It is a most exciting craft and this article is intended to assist the beginner embarking on copper enamelling. The variations in enamelling allow plenty of scope for experimenting with the craftsperson’s own ideas and designs.

Enamel powders are specially prepared glass components. Flux is transparent enamel. Metal oxides are colour. When these powders are applied to metal by way of the heating process the two are fused together; thus a plain copper shape becomes a brilliant myriad of colour. Design "mistakes" often end up producing a beautiful result.

A most important rule is that the metal piece must be perfectly clean from grease before the enamel powder is applied. Although a working area does not need to be elaborate, a certain amount of space is necessary so neatness and cleanliness can be controlled. It is essential to work in a well ventilated room.

Equipment and materials required:

Flat spatula.
Metal mesh grid
Tweezer
Copper shapes.
Steel Wool
Soft cloth.
Gum Tragacanth.
Enamel powders + enamel threads
Sieve tops or nylon stocking.
Swirling stick.(crow quill pen)
Asbestos slabs 6”x8".
Paper towel.
Small file.
A blow torch
A small kiln is ideal for small copper shapes.

Enamelled jewellery can be enticing.

The pieces are cleaned with steel wool, keeping fingers off the surface. Gum Tragacanth is painted over the surface, acting as a binder and holds the enamel powder in place.

The kiln is pre-heated to 1200-1600 degrees F

Check the firing stage by opening the kiln door a fraction and observe the maturing stage of the piece.

The enamel turns black after approximately 2 minutes and will have a glow and a granular appearance.
Almost immediately the surface smooths and has a soft red glow. It has now matured; remove it from the kiln with a spatula and place on an asbestos slab to cool.

Further enamel is placed onto the piece either by painting a design or placing enamel colours, fire 1470 degrees F for 75 seconds.

If over fired it can be repainted and re-fired, with a lower heat.

Heating with the blow torch.

The metal mesh grid is set up on a stand with asbestos slab underneath.
A prepared copper shape is placed onto the grid, the powder is then filtered on for the first heating with the blow torch. Follow heating instructions on the blow torch and begin the method with slow, precise, back and forth movement under the mesh grid.
When the shape changes colour to a soft red glow, remove it with a spatula and place on the asbestos slab.
Heating time: approximately 60-70 seconds.

A more intricate design.

Using tweezers, place some enamel threads on the shape and once again heat with the blow torch
The swirling stick is used to mix these threads, as the piece glows and the threads blend a design forms.
When the shape becomes a red glow remove with a spatula, place on the asbestos slab to cool, the intricate design becomes obvious.
Heating time: approximately 60-70 seconds.

No two pieces are ever the same.

Copper enamelling is an artistic expression of individualism; every piece is a one off and this craft really stimulates the imagination.

The copyright of the article Craft of Copper Enamelling in Crafts is owned by Aileen McLeod. Permission to republish Craft of Copper Enamelling in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

enamelled flowers