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Jewellery Making - The Basics of Enamelling Enamelling can sometimes be a very difficult hobby to get into, especially if you have never done any type of metalwork in the past (or have limited drawing skills!). However, with the right amount of guidance, anyone can learn the tricks of enamelling and begin making beautiful enamel jewellery with some patience and practice. One of the best ways to find out all you need to know about the art of enamelling is to pick up several books on the subject. How-to books are the best forms of information and training. You can usually find old vintage books on enamelling that will be full of helpful information for a low, discounted price at bookstores or second-hand stores. The basics of enamelling have not changed much over the past few decades so any book, no matter how old, should be able to give you much of the information that you need to know in order to get started. You can also find many helpful resources online as well if you are having difficulty locating a book on the subject. It is important that you brush up on your drawing skills in order to do well with your enamelling projects. Get a sketch book and practice drawing on a daily basis. You do not have to create the most amazing designs at first, start off with simple shapes and work your way up. You may even want to take a drawing course in order to improve your skills so that you will be able to create all types of jewellery pieces that you can be proud of. Taking a drawing course will definitely improve your craft, and while you are at it you may also be able to take a course in metalwork, silversmithing or enamelling if there is one available near you. Finding an available course nearby is the best way to learn all you need to know about enamel jewellery making and it will allow you to get some hands-on experience before you try it on your own. Be sure to take plenty of notes during your classes so that you will be able to refer back to them later on in the future. The best type of metal to start out with is copper because it is the cheapest material source out there. You can even use recycled copper which may be much easier to get hold of than other types of material. Once you have completed all of your classes and read several books on the subject of enamelling, the next thing you will need to do is purchase a kiln. These items can be very expensive if bought at craft supply store or purchased online. Visit second-hand stores, car boot sales and other locations where you may find this type of equipment at a much lower price. Many people wonder about which colours they should purchase for their first project. It really doesn't matter which you choose, pick your favourite colour or one that will go with your design the best. Keep in mind that there are two types of enamel that you can use, opaque and transparent. If you are having difficulty locating the right shade for your enamelling project, you can always put transparent enamel over opaque to create brand new colours. Enamelling is quite an advanced technique, but is popular with amateur jewellery makers. Many people choose to start with a smaller project such as an enamelled necklace, finished off with a snake chain so that it can be worn around the neck.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_A_Fletcher
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