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Susan Lenart Kazmer shows cold surface work to mimic enameling on metal.






Crackle technique using Plique-A-Jour or negative space
Susan Lenart Kazmer

1. Using a jeweler’s saw, you can cut out negative space from sheet metal, (see QR code for instructions on using the jewelers saw) or use just plain sheet metal.
2. For the cold enamel crackle technique I use a quick-drying enamel. Make sure to have clean metal. (Clean metal is sanded metal). Put your first layer of colored enamel down, when that dries put your second coat of crackle enamel on as quickly and efficiently as possible. This will give you a beautiful crackle. Part 2 is resin; an important element so it looks exactly like crackle enamel, If you want a matte finish sand over top of the surface.
3. For Plique a jour; put a piece of tape onto the back of the negative space, add words or objects, and fill with ICE Resin but do not overfill.

 Plique a jour is a cut-out of negative space and filled in with enamel- in this case cold enamel. This technique I loved using with hot enamels to create an aged or ruined look in my metal work. There are many upcycled metal objects with negative space that you can use as a bezel.

Exerpt from: Resin Alchemy Innovative Techniques for Mixed-Media Jewelry Artists by Susan Lenart Kazmer, Interweave 2013
Crackle technique using Plique-A-Jour or negative space

 ICED Enamels® Instructions

  1. Lightly Sand your metal bezel or Silhouette with sandpaper.
  2. Apply thin coat of ICED Enamels® Medium to surface.
  3. Sprinkle Iced Enamels® Powder onto surface.
  4. Gently shake-off excess.
  5. Melt Iced Enamels® Powders with craft heat gun, warming the metal from the underside at first, as much as possible.
  6. Build up additional layers of ICED Enamels® as you like.
  7. Let completely cool.
  8. To seal, mix ICE Resin® per to manufacturer directions and apply a thin coat with disposable paint brush.
  9. Let dry 6 to 12 hours.

www.iceresin.com

Katie Hacker & Susan Lenart Kazmer

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