Torch Firing on Fine Silver

I just finished my first completely torch fired fine silver piece.  I encountered some problems along the way.  First, I tried to use fine silver wire to create a frame and had trouble getting the sheet and wire to fuse.  I got some copper solution form Lillian Jones to reduce the melting temperature round the seam but to no avail.  I think this problem can be remedied by using a hotter torch than the ones I have in my studio.  I am going to try an acetylene torch next time.  The second problem I ran into was with the counter enamel.  I tried to use two layers of counter enamel, like you're supposed to, but my second layer kept flaking off as it was cooling.  I decided the enamel was trying to tell me something and just went with the one layer of counter enamel.  Also, I used a piece of 24 gauge fine silver that had been textured with a rolling mill.  I feel that the texturing is a vital part of enameling on silver, otherwise I would just use copper.  I feel some of my problems might have come from the lack of bulk in the silver.  I plan to use 24 gauge but not as thinned by the rolling mill.  I will keep the bloggosphere posted as to my next conquest in the world of torch firing.  Keep Creating