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Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace, Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies. Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry. There are lots of fun things you can use as a stencil for overlay on already stenciled pieces.
Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace
by Karen Meador, Ph.D.
  • Category: Enamel
  • Technique(s): Enamel
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
There are lots of fun things you can use as a stencil for overlay on already stenciled pieces. In this necklace, I used nylon mesh.

Materials

Paper patterns of your choice. https://www.wirejewelry.com/jewelry_making_tips_techniques/Graph-Paper-Patterns-for-Jewelry_232.html
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
rubber cement
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Decorative Craft Mesh (type used to make wreaths, etc.)
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Opaque Counter Enamel C3 or other Opaque
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Opaque Enamels of your choice
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
22 Gauge 0.025 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x12 Inch
MET-705.22M
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.77
  • Gold Club Price: $8.07
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Gold Filled Jump Rings Open (.030) 20ga. (OD) 6mm (ID) 4.34mm - Pack of 10
J11-192
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.20
  • Gold Club Price: $4.65
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Gold Filled Chain Cable Knurled 1.8x2mm - 10 Feet
C4-128U
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $53.87
  • Gold Club Price: $40.40
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Gold Filled Lobster w/ Ring 14x5mm - Pack of 1
J3-78
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.34
  • Gold Club Price: $4.76
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Tools

Klyr-Fire Holding Agent for Enamel
G11-7
  • G11-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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NATURES TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR
CLN-163.00
  • CLN-163.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Pickle Pot, 16 Ounces
CLN-584.00
  • CLN-584.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $30.97
  • Gold Club Price: $23.23
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140 Grit (Medium-Fine) Diamond Sawblade - Pack of 1
G18-9
  • G18-9
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
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4 Saw Frame with Tension Screw
SAW-334.00
  • SAW-334.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.97
  • Gold Club Price: $16.48
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Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black
TRCH-8010
  • TRCH-8010
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $40.00
  • Gold Club Price: $30.00
Out of Stock
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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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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Straight Copper Tongs
TWZ-958.00
  • TWZ-958.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.57
  • Gold Club Price: $7.93
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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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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 at least when sifting. 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
Create a paper pattern for each piece and rubber cement it to 24g copper sheet. I've worked with squares, rectangles and circles for different necklaces. Saw out each pattern. I have used my disk cutter for some of the shapes.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, mesh stenciled enamel
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, mesh stenciled enamel
Step 3
Punch holes on each side of the pieces positioning them slightly above the middle.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Mesh stenciled enamel
Step 4
Take the patterns off the metal and be sure to remove all the rubber cement from the pieces. Use pliers to give each one a gentle curve towards the back to strengthen them.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, mesh stenciled enamel
Step 5
Sift and torch fire two coats of Opaque Counter Enamel on each piece. It seems to me that when there is a cut out in the interior of a piece, it takes a longer firing time; so be patient and make sure you fire to maturity.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Step 6
Allow the enamel to cool a bit and then quench and pickle each piece. (I don't normally pickle the counter enameled pieces, however, since these have cut outs in the interior, I need to in order to avoid getting any fire scale on the piece.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Step 7
After sifting and firing two coats of your chosen base coat on each piece, pickle them again. (Note: You will likely see new fire scale on the cut-out areas of the pieces and need to remove it.)
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Step 8
Use a swatch of craft mesh to create a stencil for the pieces. I like the mesh with wider lines, shown in green here, as opposed to the mesh with narrow lines.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Step 9
Working with one necklace piece at a time, spray the piece with Klyrfire before putting the mesh atop it. (If you put the mesh on first and spray, the enamel will gum up on the mesh.)
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Step 10
You need to hold the mesh down as tightly as possible with your fingers. Sift the contrasting opaque atop the mesh. I usually give the Klyrfire at least 30 seconds to dry before removing the mesh and then pull the mesh off in one motion.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Step 11
After the Klyrfire is completely dry, torch fire the piece.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Step 12
Note: You can add more than one mesh stencil if you want. For example, the piece below has Flame Red sifted and fired first and then I sifted and fired a small area with Sky Blue.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Step 13
Rinse the enamel off the mesh in the quench water and be sure it is completely dry before reusing it so the enamel doesn't gum up on it.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel
Step 14
Repeat this process for each piece using colors of your choice. Put the pieces together with jump rings and finish the necklace with chain and a clasp. I used Liver of Sulfur to patina one of the necklace chains and rings below.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, enamel

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