hi again
I'm finally back from the wilds.
let's see here...propane torch does work for enameling. Since it's open flame, and you're melting glass over it, it can be pretty dangerous...so be careful with it.
I've no idea if Hobby lobby has enameling stuff. Offhand, I'd say probably not. But you could look in the "stained glass" section.
If you look at, say,
http://www.enameling.com/ , you'll see all the things that you can eventually get into. the prices there are pretty realistic.
It can be expensive to startup, simply because you'll want at least a FEW colors of enamel and they can be pricey (reds are most expensive). A simple enamel kiln will run maybe $140.00 new. check on ebay for them, too. The kiln will fire at 1500F for copper enameling.
You'll need something to fire the piece in/on. A firebrick(or similar heatproof thing). Enamels. Copper shapes. sifter for enamels. (much smaller mesh than regular sifter, btw). something to hold the enameled piece when it's hot (usually a "fork"...you want something that's kinda long handled so you don't get burned by the heat)
Basically, you'll need a metal shape as your base. (copper is usual, altho you CAN use the bowl of a silverplate spoon, for example...the copper shapes are real inexpensive tho.)
Clean the copper shape REAL well (using kitchen cleanser like ajax). You don't want any soap or grease or anything on the copper. The copper will look pinkish. The first thing I have students do,is simply sprinkle the enamel (ground glass) onto the shape, covering it kinda thickly. that piece is transferred to the kiln, and in 2 minutes (you can see the glass melting...when it's glossy, remove from kiln/fire) and that's it. well, transfer to a firebrick or something similar to cool down. That's your first enameling experience.
the above is just so the studen can see what will happen to the powdered glass. it's pretty magic, actually. anyway....my beginners start off using a stencil, or just moving the enamels around on the copper with a sifter, or a small knifeblade...sprinkling one color in spots over another...maybe firing one color and then putting more enamel on a section and firing again....
then they move into cloisonne, or champleve.
My suggestion is to check out some of the enameling books at your library, or buy one or two on Amazon or bookstore. There are some excellent ones for beginning enameling. Enameling.com has a really nice "how to enamel" booklet, too.
after i settle in a bit, I'll put up a few pictures of one of my "beginning enameling" classes so you can see a couple of "first projects" they did.
