3D Enameling
Wednesdays, October 30, 2024 - December 4, 2024; 10:00AM - 1:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Take your enameling to another dimension! This class focuses on how to enamel three dimensional forms as well as some methods for creating 3D forms suitable for enameling. We will be covering not only how you can use forms you already have- cast, dieformed, electroformed, anticlastic, foldformed, or other non- soldered formed pieces, but also how to construct forms for enameling with dapping, forming, mesh, and fabrication techniques.
Learn to enamel in the round, balance the surface tension of the enamel with the form of the piece, and how to adapt your enamel techniques onto three-dimensional surfaces. Finishing and clean-up will also be covered.
Techniques covered include:
- Dapping and synclastic forming
- Sifting and wet packing on curved surfaces
- Eutectic/IT soldering in fabrication
- Forming with mesh
- Stoning and finishing surfaces that are hard to reach
- Enameling on vertical and inverted surfaces
- Supporting 3D forms for firing
- Considerations and skills for enameling on a variety of 3D forms including castings, anticlastic and synclastic forms, die formed pieces, electroformed pieces, and fold formed pieces.
A kit of materials is included with this class and will be mailed to you.
Tools
Classes at our school include use of tools, with each student having their own bench to use during class. Online students will need to have their own tools (see the list below). Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Tools for this Class
This is a list of tools online students need to practice the techniques shown in class. A list of tools with recommended suppliers for the best prices will be sent to you after registration. If you have questions about the tool list, please contact us.
- Decent quality round synthetic bristle paint brushes- varied sizes, including a couple small ones
- Old magazines or glossy pages that can be destroyed
- Paper towels
- Plastic spoons
- Scotchbrite (green scrub pad from grocery store)
- Two Jars for water
- Jar for enamel run off from washing
- Klyrfire
- Trivets
- Sifters- 40 mesh, 80 mesh
- Face mask
- Torch- large butane or acetylene/air or propane/oxygen
- Extra butane canisters if using butane torch
- Soldering set-up- soldering board, pick, flux, pickle
- If Torch firing the enamels:
- Tripod and mesh screen or Fire brick
- If Kiln firing the enamels:
- Kiln such as a Paragon SC2
- Mesh firing rack
- Firing fork
- Bench pin
- 1mm drill bit
- Flexshaft or Dremel
- Saw frame
- 2/0 or 3/0 or 4/0 saw blades
- Needle file set of 6
- Sandpaper- 320,400,600 grits
- Mallet- plastic or rawhide
- Half round/flat forming pliers
- Diamond pad files
- Diamond bur assortment
- Dapping set
- Ring mandrel
- Pro shears
- Assortment of enamel colors that you like- 80 grit opaque and transparents, including 1030 and either 2040 or 2030
- Cast, dieformed, electroformed, fold formed, or other 3D non soldered pieces to enamel.
A computer, phone or tablet to use the free Zoom app for class
Prerequisites:
Basic enameling skills (sifting, firing) and basic jewelry skills (soldering, sawing, drilling, finishing), and prior use of a flexshaft or dremel are required.
Instructor:
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
There are no requirements regarding COVID at this time.
As always, we clean and disinfect shared tools and benches after each class.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.