Glass Enamel Tie Clips

[Bob in SF]

Fun little request for glass enamel tie clips from a sharp dresser who wishes to keep his ties out of his soup.
He also requested matching cuff links; steps:
Shapes cut from copper sheet, discs domed on a steel dapping block, cleaned with acetone.
Clear Thompson glass enamel fired onto the faces in a clam shell kiln at 1535 degrees (F) x 1.5 minutes, while viewed through the top window (I wear welders goggles).
Underglaze painted with Coyote underglazes.
Then 4 sequential firings of colored Thompson glass enamel.
Cooled.
Backs abraded with carbide burs, cleaned with acetone.
Clip findings torch-soldered onto the back with low-melt solder.
Matching cuff links similarly made:

Wish I could find copper pen tubes to do some cloisonne pens...

Happy Tuesday - Bob

 

[Bob in SF]

Light bulb moment: Maybe I'll copper electroplate some brass pen tubes - hoping that a relatively thin plating will suffice for glass cloisonne enameling - stay tuned (fun ahead).

 

[Sappheiros]

Such vibrant colors! They look fantastic!

As for copper pens, Home Depot sells copper tubing that's 3/4" I believe. Perhaps that might work for you? I got a few myself thinking I'd experiment with it at some later point.

 

[1080Wayne]

You are the most likely person to make that work . Will look forward to seeing the results .

 

[Bob in SF]

Thanks Avi and Wayne.

Avi - good idea on the copper tubing - should work well as the anode - could start simply with distilled H2O, muriatic acid, 12volt battery...(fun ahead)...

 

[Rounder]

You could possibly find some 1/4" or 3/8" copper pipe to make pen tubes out of. Depends on the inside diameter of the pipe.

 

[eharri446]

Bob,

I found the following company which carries copper tubing: Alloy 101 OFE OFHC Copper Tube

They have tubing starting at 1/8 going up to 1 1/2 inch outer diameter. The 3/8 is a common size used in pens.

They sell these is 6 foot lengths.

The only catch may be in the wall thickness of the tubing which is .032 inch.

Maybe this will help you search along.

 

[rholiday]

You can also check Grainger for various sizes of copper tubing.

 

[mredburn]

Great Job BOb, Onlinemetals.com has copper tube in std and metric sizes but im not sure it will allow you to sub them for kit tubes. K&S engineering also makes copper tubing in short lengths but again diameters dont match. The tubes available would work with turners that make kitless pens and can make parts to fit what ever you produce.

Good luck with it you have a great talent.

 

[Bob in SF]

Heartfelt thanks to all for great ideas (and kind words) - will check them out.

 

[magpens]

Those tie clips are fabulous, Bob !!!!

 

[Bob in SF]

Sincere thanks, Mal!

 

[Sataro]

Great looking tie clips!

 

[Bob in SF]

Thanks, Billy!

I like the brilliance and permanence of glass enamel.

He liked the first set of tie clips and cuff links, and requested more - I didn't argue - this morning's brood:

Hoping I can electroplate a thin layer of copper onto a brass pen tube, then start with simplified enameling, then graduate to using fine silver flat wire for cloisonne.

I think I'll try this simple flash plating set for starters:
Plug N' Plate® Flash Copper Kit - Caswell Inc

Best regards, Bob

 

[TattooedTurner]

In my short time on this forum I have seen some beautiful and creative work from you. Truly an inspiration for us new folks.

 

[Bob in SF]

Many thanks for your kind words, TattooedTurner!

Every day is packed with little adventures at the intersection of art, craft, stumbles, and striving - always glad to share.