Jewelry
&
Decorations Studio
Cloisonné Jewelry
Enamel Decorations
More Jewelry
To
see the work in person
please visit
The
Mountain
Living Studios
In
Manitou Springs, CO.
or
Stop by one of the art fests listed on the
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In its simplest terms, enameling is the fusing of colored glass powders to metal under high temperature. The diversity and beauty of the art form are only limited by the imagination of the artist. Typically the pieces I create are fired between 4 and 15 times to achieve the beautiful color and depth I desire. Some pieces have glass fused to sterling silver others use copper as the base metal. To create texture and highlights some pieces are layered with fine silver or 24K gold foils. The completed enamel "Gems" are either ready to use, placed in settings for jewelry or are framed for display. There are several techniques for applying the glass. Following are descriptions of the ones I most often use.
Basse Taille: French for “low cut”, is a technique in which a pattern is
created in the base metal before enameling. Using transparent colors the
design shows through the glass as dark shading.
Champleve’: French for “raised fields” or “raised plains” In this technique
the enamel is placed into the depressions in the metal leaving the raised
metal exposed. The depressions can be made by etching chemically or
engraving.
Cloisonné: French for “Cell” or “to be cut off”. I get different info from
different books. This is my favorite technique. Basically you form thin flat
wire into the design and fill the cells with the colored glass.
Limoges: This is a technique of “painting" with the enamels with out the use
of wires or metal to separate the colors.
I
also use a technique where I engrave into the fired enamel or foil to reveal
the colors below.
This was just a quick glance at enameling there is a lot more to be learned. Enameling has been an art form for centuries. Today it is a rare art form that I hope you will enjoy.
Sources
The Art of Fine Enameling, by Karen L. Cohen,
The Art of Enameling Techniques, Projects, Inspiration, by Linda Darty
