You have just finished your ceramic painting session, proud of your creation? But do you know that the most fascinating step is yet to come?
Enameling!
This magical step transforms your painted piece into a shiny and smooth artwork , ready to brighten up your everyday life.🎨
Ready to find out what happens after you put down your brush? Here’s everything you need to know about glazing, the final step in your ceramic adventure!
What is enameling? 🌟
Glazing is like the protective covering for your ceramic. Once you've painted your piece, a special coating, called enamel, is applied. This enamel, a crystalline powder that looks a bit like glass, is what will give your ceramic that smooth, shiny, and ultra-resistant appearance.
But don't be fooled by its appearance before firing: enamel, before being put in the oven, is often dull and matte. The magic happens during firing, where it melts and transforms to reveal its final shine. This is when your colors come to life and the piece becomes shock-resistant, waterproof, and ready to be used.
But how does it work? 🔥
After your painting session at Céramicafé Geneviève, here is what happens to your masterpiece:
- Enamel Application: Your piece is dipped by our team in a bath of transparent liquid enamel. The idea is to cover the entire surface to protect the paint and give that finished, shiny look.
- Drying: The glaze needs to dry for several hours before moving on to the firing stage. Not very glamorous, but it's an essential step to avoid air bubbles!
- Kiln Firing: Now, this is where the magic happens! Your piece is placed in a special kiln, capable of reaching 1000°C. It is during this firing that the enamel melts, seeps into the piece, and reveals its brilliant shine.
- Cooling: Once the firing is complete, the ceramic must be allowed to cool slowly to avoid cracking. Only after all these steps can you admire the final result!
Why is it so magical? ✨
What makes enameling so fascinating is the complete transformation of your piece. You've painted it, but before firing, the colors are a little dull. After enameling, it's an explosion of bright colors and shiny highlights. In fact, enameling works a bit like a photo developer, transforming something beautiful into something sublime .
The little surprises of enameling 🎁
Enameling can also hold some surprises! As it is a process subject to extreme temperatures, it sometimes happens that the colors react differently to firing. Sometimes more vivid, sometimes slightly nuanced, each piece comes out of the oven with its own personality, making your creation even more unique!
Protect and enhance your creations 💎
Glazing doesn't just make your ceramics beautiful to look at. It also protects them! Once glazed, your piece becomes water-resistant, scratch-resistant and can even be put in the dishwasher. You can use your creation every day without fear of damaging it.
The final magical touch to your ceramic adventure ✨
Glazing is the final step, but also one of the most exciting of your experience at Céramicafé Geneviève. This is where your piece really comes to life, ready to beautify your home or be offered. Did you think everything was over after painting? Think again! Wait until you see your creation come out of the kiln after glazing... You won't believe your eyes!
So, are you ready to experience this magical glazing experience? Come visit us and dive into the fascinating world of ceramics! 🎨
