Welcome to BluBey, where we specialize in creating coastal themed exquisite hand-painted enamel pendants and jewelry tailored to your unique images. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the entire process of enamel painting, from start to finish, using modern techniques and technology. Whether you're a curious customer or an aspiring enamel artist, this guide will give you an inside look at the craftsmanship behind our beautiful pieces.
Step 1: Designing Your Custom Piece
The journey of creating a bespoke enamel jewelry piece begins with the design phase. At BluBey, we work closely with our customers to transform their images and ideas into stunning designs. Here’s how it works:
- Customer Consultation: Share your ideas, images, or inspirations with us via our email or contact form! We discuss your vision, preferred colors, and any specific details you want to include. If you already know what you want, go ahead a purchase your custom blank piece and attach your image (following the Image Guidelines), leave comments in the order specifications box in your cart, then checkout, and we will contact you about your piece shortly after!
- Sketching: Our artists create digital mock-ups of the proposed design. This stage allows for adjustments and ensures that the final piece will meet your expectations. We always make sure you approve of any and all designs before going into production.
Step 2: Preparing the Metal Base
Once the design is finalized, we move on to preparing the metal base, which serves as the canvas for the enamel.
- Choosing the Metal: We typically use fine silver or gold as the base for our enamel pieces. Each metal offers unique properties and aesthetics.
- Cleaning: The metal is meticulously cleaned to remove any oils, dirt, or impurities. This ensures the enamel adheres properly.
- Forming: The metal is shaped into the desired form of the jewelry piece. This could involve cutting, hammering, or shaping the metal into pendants, earrings, or other jewelry items.
Step 3: Applying the Enamel
Enamel is essentially powdered glass that is fused to the metal at high temperatures. Here’s how we apply it:
- Enamel Preparation: We mix enamel powders to create the desired colors. The powders can be transparent, opaque, or opalescent, depending on the design requirements.
- First Layer Application: A base layer of enamel is applied to the metal surface. This can be done by sifting dry enamel powder or painting a wet enamel slurry onto the metal. We typically enamel both sides of the metal for a stronger bond and superior durability. The base can have 2-4 layers each side!
- Firing: The piece is placed in a kiln for each layer, and fired at temperatures ranging from 1385°F to 1500°F (760°C to 870°C). This process fuses the enamel to the metal, creating a durable and glossy surface.
Step 4: Painting the Enamel Design
With the base layer set, we now add the intricate details of the design through enamel painting.
- Color Application: Using fine brushes, we carefully paint the detailed design onto the enamel base. This step may involve multiple layers and firings to achieve the desired depth and color intensity.
- Layering and Firing: Each layer of enamel paint is fired in the kiln to set the colors. This can involve several rounds of painting and firing, depending on the complexity of the design. Each design can take from 5-10 firings for a completed color image.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
After the enamel painting is complete, the piece undergoes several finishing processes to ensure it’s ready to wear.
- Polishing: The piece is polished to bring out the shine and smooth any rough edges.
- Setting Stones: If the design includes gemstones, they are carefully set into the jewelry at this stage.
- Assembly: Finally, the piece is assembled into its final form, whether that’s a pendant, ring, or pair of earrings.
Step 6: Quality Control and Packaging
Before we send your custom piece to you, it undergoes a thorough quality control check.
- Inspection: We inspect each piece for any imperfections or defects. Our goal is to ensure that every piece meets our high standards of craftsmanship.
- Packaging: The finished jewelry is carefully packaged in our signature BluBey Jewelry boxes, ready to be delivered to your doorstep.
Conclusion
Creating custom hand-painted enamel jewelry is a meticulous and rewarding process that combines artistic skill with contemporary technology. At BluBey Jewelry, we take pride in transforming your visions into beautiful, wearable art.
Would you like your own piece of enameled art? See our Custom/Personalized collection to browse our options and start designing your custom piece today!