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: $15.02
Gold Club Price: $11.27

Out of Stock

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: $11.09
Gold Club Price: $8.32

Add to Bag

Gold Filled Chain Cable Knurled 1.8x2mm - 10 Feet

C4-128U

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $76.60
Gold Club Price: $57.45

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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: $12.46
Gold Club Price: $9.34

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Add All Items to Cart

Tools

Klyr-Fire Holding Agent for Enamel

G11-7

G11-7
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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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: $31.95
Gold Club Price: $23.96

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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: $8.95
Gold Club Price: $6.71

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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

Out of Stock

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: $15.95
Gold Club Price: $11.96

Out of Stock

Thompson 1.25 Inch Trivet - Pack of 3

G11-2

G11-2
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $21.85
Gold Club Price: $16.39

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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: $21.85
Gold Club Price: $16.39

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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 Click Here

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, Create a paper pattern for each piece

Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Saw out each pattern.

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, Use pliers to give each one a gentle curve

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, Sift and torch fire two coats

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, Allow the enamel to cool a bit

Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, then quench and pickle each piece.

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, pickle them again.

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, Use a swatch of craft mesh

Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, create a stencil for the pieces.

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, spray the piece with Klyrfire before putting the mesh atop it

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, You need to hold the mesh down

Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, Sift the contrasting opaque atop the mesh.

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, You can add more than one mesh stencil if you want.

Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Mesh Stenciled Enamel Necklace - , Enameling, Enamel Jewelry Supplies, Enamel, Enameling, Enameled Jewelry, fired a small area with Sky Blue.

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, Rinse the enamel off the mesh

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.

Reviews

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Karen Meador, Ph.D.

Karen Meador, PhD, is a retired professor, educational consultant and musician whose research endeavors focused on creative thinking and gifted education. Her numerous books and articles for teachers addressed these topics. Dr. Meador currently pursues art through wire work, enameling and metalsmithing.