Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant, Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies. Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry. In this tutorial I will layer opaque and transparent enamels.
Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant
by Karen Meador, Ph.D.
  • Category: Enamel
  • Technique(s): Enamel
  • Skill Level: Beginner
In this tutorial I will layer opaque and transparent enamels. Learn how to use both crackle and sgraffito techniques in one pretty pendant.

Materials

Copper Circle, 24 Gauge, 1-1/2 Inch, Pack of 6
MET-500.05
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.93
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opaque counter enamel
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Opaque Mistletoe Green 1380 Enamel
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Transparent Egg Yellow 2215 Enamel
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Klyr-Fire Holding Agent for Enamel
G11-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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pencil
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

Blazer Big Shot Torch
TRCH-8000
  • TRCH-8000
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $89.95
  • Gold Club Price: $67.46
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Fire Brick
SOL-485.00
  • SOL-485.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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6 Inch Precision Diamond Hobby Tweezers
G10-25
  • G10-25
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.57
  • Gold Club Price: $3.43
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Thompson 40 Mesh Sifter Small - Pack of 3
G11-4
  • G11-4
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $15.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.96
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24 Piece Dapping Punch Set
DAP-705.00
  • DAP-705.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $85.97
  • Gold Club Price: $64.48
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Euro Tool Metal Hole Punch Pliers, 1.8 Millimeters
PLR-133.50
  • PLR-133.50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Safety Glasses
G21-1
  • G21-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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apron
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Thompson 1.25 Inch Trivet - Pack of 3
G11-2
  • G11-2
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $11.25
  • Gold Club Price: $8.44
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Instructions
Step 1
Safety: Please work responsibly for your own safety in your enameling studio. At a minimum, this includes the wearing dark safety glasses when using the torch and a dust mask. A fire extinguisher should also be close at hand.

I torch enamel with a trivet atop a fire brick on a fire-proof surface using an oxygen/propane torch. Please use the enamel set up and torch that works best for you. If you have interest, you can see my set up at https://www.wirejewelry.com/jewelry_making_patterns_tutorials/Torch-Enameling-with-Opaque-Enamels_300.html
Step 2
Cut out and shape the metal. I like my enameled pieces to have a slight curve which strengthens them and use the dapping block and punch for this. Be sure to put holes in the pieces if needed for the way you plan to hang them.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, dapping block
Step 3
Sift and fire two coats of counter enamel on the back of the piece.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, counter enamel 2 coats
Step 4
Rinse the oxides off the top of the piece. Then sift and fire the base coat of opaque repeating this step if needed to cover the metal. (Opaque Mistletoe Green 1380)
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, opaque on front side
Step 5
Spray the piece with Klyrfire and immediately sift on White Crackle Base 1006. (DO NOT fire yet.)
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, sift on white crackle
Step 6
If you sgraffito while the work is wet, you will remove more of the Crackle Base than you want. For thinner lines, let the piece(s) dry a bit and then sgraffito with a tool of your choice. I used a pencil for this project. It's a bit difficult to get the piece on the trivet without moving the enamel. At times, you may want to correct this shifting after the trivet is in place.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, sgraffito
Step 7
Torch fire the crackle base.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, sgraffito
Step 8
Sift and fire transparent enamel as the final coat. (Transparent Egg Yellow 2215 for the pendant ) Fire this coat until you see the appearance of cracks in the transparent color.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, torch fire
Step 9
Complete the pendant with a jump ring or set it in the manner of your choice. The photo shows the green pendant with a tab setting.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Crackle Enamel and Sgraffito Pendant - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel necklace