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Author: Laura_Brito, Contributing Editor
| Ways that people use Enamels
I make my bead; then, while it is still hot and sticky, I roll the bead into the Enamel of choice. Sometimes I do this a few times and in a few different colors depending on the effect I want. Once I am done and I am sure the container isn't hot anymore, I put the lid on it and store it back in the box that I keep them in. Other people use other types of containers. I have heard of some using babyfood jars, little 1/8 measuring cups, spoons, or salt shakers. Some just pour it out onto their Marving Pad! All of these methods can be done safely, but it needs to be done carefully and with forethought. |
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| Above you see the red little sifters. Most of the Glass Houses sell these. I have two sets, but I have never used them because they are messy and without care you can put yourself in a dangerous situation (contamination). To use these sifters, you would have an open container large enough for you to scoop out the Enamel with the Sifter, and then sprinkle it on your bead. This requires more coordination than some of us have! It will take some practice not to let the bead get too cool so it won't crack if you use this method. |
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| Clean-up
You need to use wet rags to clean your workstation, never dust dry unless it is only pieces of glass. If you use enamels make sure to use wet wipes, wet rags, or wet paper towels - disposable is always better with this stuff. A Thompson Enamels representative suggests that it is like being a heavy smoker, you will eventually have breathing problems if you do not do it right. This stuff travels and it is too bad we all don't have some kind of infra red light that we could turn on to show us everywhere it settles...in every little crack and crannie, just everywhere! Be careful! I would hate to see a big group of us 5 or 10 years from now on oxygen (that was a bad pun). In fact you might want to mist your work area first just to keep the updraft down some. You can always wear your respirator when cleaning (highly recommended). Caution! No one really thinks much of this, but it is sooooo important. The "at this moment" effect might be minimal but it is the "LONG TERM EFFECT" that you have to worry about. Believe me, this has hit home with me in the last month - My stepfather just passed away due to oxygen insufficency. I watched my stepdad struggle with doing just normal things; he could not live life to the fullest, much less go for a walk out in the desert which he would have liked to do, or run around cleaning the yard. He was NOT able to do that, and it is nothing else but the same thing - his lungs got all scarred up from small particles (asbestos).......he didn't live very long (67). No amount of money would ever make us happy with the situation, especially now that he passed away. The US Government didn't know at the time the danger he was in, and they couldn't protect him. We have a responsibility to ourselves to be our own watchdog. We need to use good sense, think things over carefully and at least try to bone up on topics that may be related so we can make educated choices about handling potentially dangerous materials. |
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