~brooches and i love torching beer bottle caps!

crusty torch enameled beer bottle cap in greens with a petra ceramic drop

i am so digging the beer bottle cap torching with enamels. last night i thought maybe i could show the process as i've grown so much in my enthusiasm & abilities & knowledge. different glass powders & frits melt differently, torch can't be too high or too low, how long to hold the flame, getting flare glasses, which caps are easier to get the plastic off of (which means more beer of that sort), burning off the paint & sanding it before enameling...but i ain't got the time. but i just told you how! kim turned me on to thompson enamel samples & i figured out the rest from trial & error, watching lots of videos (saw the set up, bought the supplies) & reading tutorials. i already had a torch since i used to be a silversmith in another life. just needed mesh pads from the jewelry supply (i use the ones to go in a kiln), a third hand & a metal protective sheet for my bench. i use paper to catch & reuse the frit... 

i've only found one other person doing this so far. where is everyone? anywho, new stock & a new look to my booth is in order when the shows start. xoxo

torch enameled beer bottle cap with a black striped glass bead & ojos!