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Di Sandland
18-08-2009, 08:57 AM
Okay, I can't afford to get enamels at the moment but some of the designs I have in mind require that I add colour to my pmc. I've seen it done with polymer clay but are there any other methods?

bustagasket
18-08-2009, 09:10 AM
ooo watches this one with interest

Solunar Silver Studio
18-08-2009, 09:13 AM
Mmmmm...so will I!!:agree: I've just been wire wrapping hundreds of beads onto some of my chains in a bid to make them look less silver!! (By the way...have a peek in your inbox...:Y:)

cezerpringle
18-08-2009, 10:12 AM
Have you thought of cold enamel or resin? I don't have either but have been told you can easily colour resin with glass paint.
HTH
Ceri :)

Di Sandland
18-08-2009, 10:15 AM
LOL - just googling exactly that as you speak, Ceri

cezerpringle
18-08-2009, 10:21 AM
Really want to get resin, but then, really want to get so much stuff! But on the sick it's virtually impossible to find the money.
I think Nic's thor pendant used one of the two, looked really effective, I think it's called mixed media in the show off your work section.
HTH

MuranoSilver
18-08-2009, 10:40 AM
**Clambers on to tall soap box**
I wish people would stop calling resin Cold Enamel it's soooo confusing to everyone! :(|
Resin is soooo much easier than Enamel and it's quite unfair on Enamel artisans to call resin work cold enamel.
**Clambers off tall soap box**

Adding Colour to PMC
1) Add polymer clay
2) Add resins
3) Use prisma colour pencils over pale polymer clay and seal
4) Embed CZ's or other stones
5) Embed crystalline CZ fragments
6) Coloured Concrete
7) Enamel
8) Mixed metals e.g copper, bronze
9) use cold connections (eg. rivets) and add fabrics etc
10) Ceramic Decals

What do you want to cover first ;)
Nic x

Di Sandland
18-08-2009, 10:44 AM
As I have a cupboard full of polymer clay, that's probably where I'll start. My idea is very simple but to work it must be coloured, something which has exercised the brain all night and left me totally knackered. Ain't that always the way.

I was just looking at resins and how to colour them - that looks doable too.

oooh _ coloured concrete?!

bustagasket
18-08-2009, 10:46 AM
(By the way...have a peek in your inbox...:Y:)

Me? Inbox where? or did you mean that for moonie?

AlexandraBuckle
18-08-2009, 10:47 AM
**Clambers on to tall soap box**
I wish people would stop calling resin Cold Enamel it's soooo confusing to everyone! :(|
Resin is soooo much easier than Enamel and it's quite unfair on Enamel artisans to call resin work cold enamel.
**Clambers off tall soap box**



When I went to Art in Action this year, there was a lady who had made gorgeous enamal work.
After reading so much about 'cold enamels' on this forum, I asked her if she had ever used them. She looked almost offended! Ooops! #-o

I could tell that none of the work she had on show was done with cold enamels but I was just trying to get her opinion on them!

She made it quite clear to me by her reaction that there is a BIG difference.

I agree, calling it resin is MUCH less confusing :)

cezerpringle
18-08-2009, 10:54 AM
I appologise, I had always thought of it all as resin myself, however, I'm awaree they tend to be marketed as cold enamels (I don't see it's anywhere near the same thing) so wanted to use the 'correct term', that backfired.
Is there any actual difference between what is known as cold enamel and normal casting resin?
Thanks
Ceri :)

cezerpringle
18-08-2009, 10:57 AM
My spelling is messed up, sorry :p

MuranoSilver
18-08-2009, 11:02 AM
They tend to be marketed as cold enamels as it links it with a more expensive time consuming process....
I believe casting resin has a different chemical make up which gives it slightly different properties. I currently use colores resin (which has very vibrant colours) but the resins Cooksons sell look really good too. If they ever want anyone to do an independant review I'd gladly volunteer :Y:

The Thoth pendant is done using the colores transparent range but I add in Pearl Ex pigments as it gives the resin a more enamel like look.

Nic x

Di Sandland
18-08-2009, 11:03 AM
Thanks Nic - you're a pal []

MuranoSilver
18-08-2009, 11:04 AM
Here's a link to Debbie Carltons Gallery (http://www.debbiecarltonjewellery.co.uk/galleryb1.html)Pages -
She specialises in Silver Clay with Polymer clay insets :Y:
Nic x

Di Sandland
18-08-2009, 11:07 AM
Oh. My. Word. Stunning.

bustagasket
18-08-2009, 11:11 AM
yeah i just a look too - love the tendril as the bail i think you call it too. (slowly learning the lingo i think

Solunar Silver Studio
18-08-2009, 11:19 AM
Me? Inbox where? or did you mean that for moonie?

I'm sorry Su' ...I had a juicy little titbit for Di and just wanted to poke her in the right direction! I thought if I 'hid' it in the text no one else would notice!! Trust you!! ...tut...:rolleyes:

And Nic.....I'm going to hold my breath until you tell us all about coloured concrete....now that sounds messy and FUN!! :D

bustagasket
18-08-2009, 11:21 AM
I'm sorry Su' ...I had a juicy little titbit for Di and just wanted to poke her in the right direction! I thought if I 'hid' it in the text no one else would notice!! Trust you!! ...tut...:rolleyes:

And Nic.....I'm going to hold my breath until you tell us all about coloured concrete....now that sounds messy and FUN!! :D

lol no probs i was just a bit confused as it was kinda in the same sentence as the reference to my comment lol.

MuranoSilver
18-08-2009, 11:32 AM
Oh My
Barbara - breathe OK, Ok I'll tell you about coloured concrete :D
Here's a link to Lulubug jewellery (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5868807)on Etsy she's taken the use of coloured concrete to an absolute artform!
Most of the designs could also use polymer clay though, so for folks who have a ready supply of Fimo,Sculpey etc her shop will also serve as a fabulous source of inspiration...
I bought one of Lulubugs pendants and it's a really unusual texture :)

If you want to get some then WholeLottaWhimsey in the USA sell it HERE (http://www.wholelottawhimsy.com/wo/p/context/shopping/Product?c=4804582&p=4472627)

Nicx

Di Sandland
18-08-2009, 11:44 AM
Now, see Barbara, I googled and found Lulubug :X

Di Sandland
18-08-2009, 11:46 AM
Off to play with me pasta roller and make some skinner blends :~:

Solunar Silver Studio
18-08-2009, 11:49 AM
NO. :'(. NO. :'(. NO. :'(. Not America AGAIN!!!!!! Must start thinking how to brew my own

....cauldron - check...pigment colours used in cake decorating - check...PVA glue - check... HMMM...seem to remember something about cold porcelain used to make indestructable sugarpaste flowers.....mmmmmMMMmmmmm......a litle research in order....da di da da da......:D

MuranoSilver
18-08-2009, 12:27 PM
Ahhhh I feel a new "tasty" jewellery range coming on!
nicx

cezerpringle
18-08-2009, 03:35 PM
How would you affix the polymer to the fired pmc? I can't see how you'd manage to do that... apart from maybe appoxy...
Any ideas?
Ceri :)

MuranoSilver
18-08-2009, 03:39 PM
I attach little silver balls at the back of the piece :D The polymer is pushed overthe balls and as it shrinks in the oven it makes a mechanical bond....(you can also glue it)

Nic x

Di Sandland
18-08-2009, 03:40 PM
I was thinking in terms of rivets - I quite like the look of those and they would suit the idea I have in mind

Ominicci
18-08-2009, 06:11 PM
Mechanical bond ooo Nic get you! :cool:

Ok Di, looking forward to your results....:camera:

MuranoSilver
18-08-2009, 09:05 PM
Ahhh maybe I should've said "chemical bond" instaed of glue ;) :-D
nic x

caroleallen
19-08-2009, 06:39 AM
If you do PMC you ought to try real enamel as it works so well and transparent enamels are really clear and bright. I think some people are nervous of enamel but there's no need to be, particularly on PMC. You don't even need a kiln as torch firing is just as good. I think it's much easier to use than resin which runs all over the place.

Solunar Silver Studio
19-08-2009, 07:36 AM
Hi Di - It might be worth having another look at the thread I started a couple of weeks ago about the problems I was having http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180&highlight=enamel. I am obviously a few days ahead of you down this particular rocky road!!:-D

I really think there is a lot of scope for using it but some of my results were rather disappointing colour wise. The transparent blues and greens seem to work best for me and things were a lot better when I used a transparent flux before the transparent colour.

I hope you have a lot of 'scrap' pieces of silver though...this sort of experimentation can be expensive!!:'(

Di Sandland
19-08-2009, 07:54 AM
Have not closed my eyes all night designing this 'trinket' in my head. I turned up one of my few copies of Art Jewellery (November 2008) and found some beautiful pmc work with prismacolour pencils - so now there's another variable added to the equation.

Lots of experimentation coming up - will post the results, no matter how poorly or how well I've done. Given up waiting for OH and his posh camera - if he hasn't got his finger out by weekend will use my lowly compact digital just to prove to you guys that I do really make stuff.

Now I'm off to bed
I-)

Di Sandland
19-08-2009, 08:01 AM
If you do PMC you ought to try real enamel as it works so well and transparent enamels are really clear and bright. I think some people are nervous of enamel but there's no need to be, particularly on PMC. You don't even need a kiln as torch firing is just as good. I think it's much easier to use than resin which runs all over the place.

I didn't know that! Thought a kiln was essential for enamel - do tell me more.

MuranoSilver
19-08-2009, 11:41 AM
Not essential but it helps :)
Here's a Ganoksin article on Torch Firing Enamel (http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/torch-firing-enameling.htm)
nic x

ps_bond
19-08-2009, 02:06 PM
Not essential but it helps :)


You can also build a "sort of" kiln out of firebricks, ceramic fibre or similar, heat the interior of that and get a more indirect heat than hitting it with a torch flame will give you.

Di Sandland
19-08-2009, 02:15 PM
Peter, you really are a marvel. I think of you as 'Mr Boys Own.'

:ta:

ps_bond
19-08-2009, 02:19 PM
"Hazard to life, limb and sanity" might be more accurate...

I think the Guild of Enamellers DVD has something similar.