MAKING SAMPLES

Opaque enamels cover the metal (and other enamels) completely.
Transparent enamels allow the metal (and previous enamel layers) to show through.
 
Each enamel has its own fusion and expansion rates:
Fusion is the rate at which the tiny granules of enamel come together.
Expansion is the rate at which they flow.
 
Fusion also refers to the molecular bond of the enamel to the metal (which only happens when both reach the same temperature at the same time- around 1300 F) Fusion must be reached in the first firing. If it is not – the enamel will not adhere, and a layer of firescale will prevent fusion from happening in subsequent firings.

With transparent enamels we need to be concerned not only with fusion, but also with transparency (the temperature at which the enamel goes clear – usually 1450F and up depending on the colour)

Wash or sift all TRANSPARENT enamels before use to increase clarity. There is NO NEED to wash opaque enamels

Try  making these samples to gain experience.

1) Opaque  
   a) counter-enamel
   b) fire the colour of your choice to orange peel and  
   b) add a second coat of the same colour and fire to maturity

2) Transparent colour directly on copper
   a) counter-enamel
   b) fire 1st transparent colour to transparency (very high)

Now we come to layers. Layers are much more challenging. If you fire to high - the first layer will bubble through, or the top layer will sink. Your goal is to have the layers floating on one another. This will take practice to acheive.

Sometimes the effect when a base layer bubbles through is ver attractive, and you can try to repeat it for a particular design - but the control of floating layers is a skill that must be practiced. It will be invaluable in creating cloisonne pieces later.

The final firing of a layered piece is the trickiest: you want to get a smooth surface, but not have the layers sink into one another (which will cause cloudiness) Trty pitting the piece in a hot kiln - and then turning the kiln off. As the piece heats up the kiln is cooling down and sinking layers is less likely.

3) Flux
   a) counter-enamel
   b) fire flux to transparency (high)
   c) cover half lengthwise with 1st transparent colour (sugar fire)
   d) cover half widthwise with 2nd transparent colour (sugar fire)

   e) fire to maturity

4) White
   a) counter-enamel
   b) fire white to just past orange peel (almost mature) - may need a second     

   coat of white
   c) cover half  with 1st transparent colour (sugar fire)
   d) cover half of that with 2nd transparent colour (sugar fire)

   e) fire to maturity