In this digital workshop I will show you how I shape metal bases with very simple hand tools, and how to clean them in preparation for enamelling. I also explain the technical aspects which make a domed base interesting in your work.
This is a downloadable three hour HD video class (7.1 GB)
+ Handout (1.4 MB)
This class is very useful. It’s the kind of lesson that changes the way you work. It shows how a well prepared base makes the difference! And no more pieces stick on the trivets!!!
I must say, this has been one of the best online workshops I have taken. Mer explains everything and shows you everything step by step. I am in love with the way she forms her shapes with such simple tools. Thank you so much Mer for all the time and effort you have put to make this workshop 🙏🙏🙏
Mer Almagro offers wonderful tools and supplies to aid you in your enameling endeavors, something that was so needed in Europe!. Her educational contribution to the enameling community is so valuable to all of us. She researches her material and has a great understanding of the technical difficulties facing enamelists. Thanks to her, we now have an English translation of the wonderful Andreu Vilasís book. Go to her classes on Patreon!
I watch the videos I have with great joy. Each step is so clear, it’s as if I am watching over your shoulder in real time. Each time I watch one, I see something new as the information seeps into my brain. You are a magician, and an inspiration!
Thank you for creating your amazing online classes! It’s truly inspiring and well explained!
what you need to know
Complete beginners can follow this class, and more seasoned enamellers might also find content of interest (see below).
If you're a beginner, I recommend that you watch and read my video and article Introduction to Vitreous Enamel. Once you have shaped and prepared metal bases, you can begin enamelling. I focus on kiln firing, so you need access to an enamelling kiln in order to get started, or follow instruction on torch firing elsewhere.
You can follow up with my Wet packing & gradations class and my free video How I make colour palettes.
You can buy my classes with a 20% discount if you join the Intermediate or Producer tier in my Patreon. This is a good deal, you get to view all of my Patreon content and get the class for less. Once you’re logged in to Patreon, visit this page to purchase.
CONTENT
You can view the contents of the class in the chart below. This is also a handy navigation tool to follow the class at your pace, using the timestamps (and is also available as a PDF when you download the class). Click on the screenshots to enlarge. In part 2, tools, you can see the tools necessary to follow this class. In addition you need a pickle pot and a kiln or torch for annealing. I have strived to keep it simple so you don't need a big investment to get started.
| timestamp | screenshot | chapter / subchapter |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 |  | intro |
| 00:02:22 |  | tools |
| 00:03:22 |  | why dome? technical aspects |
| 00:07:28 |  | thickness and size |
| 00:08:35 |  | selecting shapes: sketch browsing & selection geometric shapes cutting out templates |
| 00:12:48 |  | transferring shapes onto copper sheet |
| 00:14:09 |  | cutting shapes off the copper sheet |
| 00:49:27 |  | making wooden shapers |
| 01:01:48 |  | shaping thin bases with hand tools |
| 01:02:43 |  small circles |
|
| 01:06:11 |  large circle |
|
| 01:11:08 |  ovals |
|
| 01:27:27 |  trillion triangles |
|
| 01:38:44 |  rounded corner triangles |
|
| 01:47:20 |  ovoid with two corners |
|
| 01:50:26 |  shield and beak shapes |
|
| 01:59:42 |  pentagon |
|
| 02:05:34 |  freeform shape |
|
| 02:08:56 |  rectangle |
|
| 02:13:29 |  | shaping thicker panels with hammer and anvil (traditional enamel panel) |
| 02:36:14 |  | shaping a silver blank with two hammers |
| 02:43:24 |  | annealing |
| 02:47:45 |  | cleaning |
| 02:50:48 | greeting | |
| 02:50:57 |  | bonus content: versatility experiment |
| 02:56:00 |  | end credits |
Versatility experiment
During filming of this class, I conducted an experiment to test the versatility of hand shaping methods. I cut 5 extras of the pentagon blank, and shaped them in different ways to achieve varied results. I then enamelled them all the same way and compared them. I added this as bonus content to the class, and you can view the results below. With hand tools, the possibilities are endless, since you don't have the limitations of a machine. The only limit is your creativity.