Efcolor Low Heat/Cold enameling - Let Leonie Loose

I had a wonderful day yesterday with my wonderful Efcolor cold enameling show.  It's so addictive, and FUN.  And the results feel and look so professional.

The wonderful thing about it is the small little oven you need to melt the enamel powder.  This isn't the high melt enamel powder made from glass, this is low melt and made from resin - so is harder than embossing powder, which is why it's perfect for jewellery pieces, and it looks really good!

And look, enamel paper flowers!  How cool are these.  Simply cover both sides with the enamel powder, and melt.  Adding different colours in layers, and melting each time.  The enamel powder holds the micro beads, and it will also hold swarovski crystals.  Make sure you use the right crystals, as you don't want anything melting in the oven.

This next piece is stunning, and easy.  Melt a layer of black and let cool.  Add a little versamark ink to the piece and stick gold leaf in place.  Now cover with transparent powder, this will encase the gold leaf and protect it.

This next one is great for a book cover, or for framing.  I melted a layer of pink in the centre and silver glitter at the top and bottom.  Let this cool, and then use a mask and sprinkle over white enamel powder - dusting it lighter as you move out to the edge

Use your die cuts to create patterns!

When the powder is hot, you can manipulate it, and swirl it.  How pretty is this!

Mine are only pieces I've played with - but you need to check out the incredible work created by Fiona, she is fantastic.  Have a look at her web site:

projects4crafters.com

to see loads of wonderful idea's....such as the following

Spellbinding jewellery

Now, I can't remember if I've already posted photo's of my spellbinders jewellery - so I'll start by saying sorry if I have.  I did have a look back over some posts, but couldn't find it - so fingers crossed it'll be new and different.

It goes without saying I love the bezels spellbinders brought out recently.  Team these up with the clear drying resin and you have an amazing jewellery making kit (the resin is made easy to handle in the way it's been brought to us - a double barrel syringe with the two part resin in separate tubes, but applied at the same time in the correct quantity).  The resin is known as Ice Resin.

Saying that, when I did my necklaces I didn't have the resin at the time - so used my melt pot. With the flower chain, I made my flower from one of my spellbinders dies and dipped it into my melting pot with clear UTEE.  I placed paper into the bezel, using the matching spellbinders die to cut the exact circle so it fits perfectly.  I used embellishments, and also an chain which were all held into place with the UTEE when I filled the bezel.  

The face was made in the same way, but I made the face first using one of the wonderful silicone moulds.  I added mica flakes and strips of mica sheet which looks brilliant when encased in the UTEE, as it catches the light.  Again, everything is encased with UTEE and held in place.  The UTEE cools solid and makes a really substantial piece.  

All the above is available on my web site, which unfortunately I have had to close at the moment.  I am really hoping to be able to get it up and running again in the near future, but please keep checking.

In the meantime - have a go at making your own jewellery pieces, it's fantastic fun.