Hot Glass Happenings....

 

So fifteen months ago I took delivery of an enameling to go on my Paragon Caldera kiln. I was off my feet with a broken ankle at the time so it got dumped in a corner in its box and ignored for an eternity. It's been out of the box for a while but still hasn't been used so this week I decided it was time to christen it. Since all kilns behave differently and because it I haven't done any enameling for well over two year a little test session seemed in order.

So I made myself some copper blanks and gave them a good scrub with an abrasive cleaner to make sure there were no traces of dirt or grease.

 

Then I counter enameled the backs of all the pieces - counter enameling balances out the stress on the enamel to stop it cracking or flaking and makes it stronger.

 

When I apply the enamel I raise the blanks off the bench using skewers which allows me to slip a palette knife underneath and transfer them to a firing trivet without having to touch them.

With curved or domed pieces I apply a holding agent (very dilute wallpaper paste) to stop the enamel sliding off and leave it to dry on top of the kiln.

These could have done with a slightly thicker application but that's what testing is all about,

With that done I moved onto the fun bit and started adding some colour to my pieces...lapiz blue for the bird and a blended red/orange.

Unfortunately, at this point I got engrossed and forgot to keep taking photo's at each stage - oops, sorry! After I fired the blue bird I added a layer of green enamel and used a sgraffito tool to create a wing pattern in the powdered enamel which shows up when the second layer melts,

I really like the abstract effect that came from laying multiple colours and firing together.

To add an  extra dimension I played with some other elements such as frit (crush mixed glass), stringer and pieces of cut glass.

With this piece a darker blue enamel was sieved lightly over the paler base coat and glass squares sat on top. The glass pieces melt more slowly than the enamel and slumps but leaves an interesting raised finish.

Here I used a transparent cinnamon enamel over a hammered blank and added frit and like th eglass pieces, the frit doesn't melt fully leaving a nice texture. I think perhaps the colours I chose were a bit too subtle and a stronger contrast between enamel and frit would have been better.

This last technique takes a bit of practice since it involves melting the glass stringers into the enamel and dragging a sgraffito tool across them while it's still molten and without cooking you hand! Since the door on the enameling collar is quite small I found this harder than in my old kiln with a full size door but a bit of practice will help that.

You can also see from the thick dark edges and the black flecks that this piece has been over-fired a bit. This is not necessarily a problem as it can produce interesting effects and as with ceramic glazes red and orange enamels are more prone to this.

So now I know how the new kiln performs and I've got may hand back in again I'm looking forward to developing this skill more. There are lots of other techniques for using enamel that I'd like to try and I will of course share them with you when I do.

Sharpening the Saw

I've made no secret of my love for both metal and enamels, and I am especially enamored of what happens when the two come together. I recently came across some work that exemplifies the potential of these two mediums, and they've inspired me to pursue additional training to beef up my ability to translate what I sometimes see in my head to reality in metal and glass.

Annie Grimes Williams

Ed Lay

Katie Schutte

Kim Lucci Elbualy

Sarah Perkins

The level of skill and expertise evident in these works just blows my mind - sometimes, I'll be doing something mundane (dishes, laundry, etc.) and realize that I've been attempting to take these works apart in my head and decipher the processes. I'm starting to plan for 2015 (it's unreal that 2014 has gone so quickly - wow) and trying to set aside time to take part in a few in-depth workshops. Some of the folks I'd love to study with include Linda Darty, who wrote the definitive book on the art of enameling; Ruth Ball, a British enamelist and one of my first enameling "loves" who recently branched out into larger scale enameling installations; and Charles Lewton-Brain, the "father" of fold forming. I'm going to have the opportunity to host a workshop with the amazing Barbara Minor this December, which I am eagerly looking forward to, and I am stalking the Arrowmont, Center for Metal Arts, Campbell Folk School, and Thompson Enamel websites for workshops I'd like to take. I'm even daydreaming about a trip to the UK to study with Ruth - wouldn't that be a kick??

So what about you? As you're planning for 2015, how will you build in time to "sharpen the saw" in your skill set?

Until next time -
Francesca

February 2014 Component of the Month...Fluttering Hearts!

Hi dear readers!  I jumped in and signed up to host the February Component of the Month challenge, here at AJE!  I decided to go with hearts!  Yes, I know hearts are a bit cliche for February, but I promise, my hearts are anything but cliche!

Here are a few I created for this challenge!  All hand-fabricated copper, with enamel and glass frit....

All  hearts are just over an inch in diameter and are organically formed of copper, enameled and embellished with glass frit.  Connector holes are varied...3 for a y-shaped connector, 2 vertical holes, 2 horizontal holes, 1 hole for straight top hanging, and 1 hole for a skewed hanging.

Would you like a chance to create a design with one of my hearts?  I will be giving away 3 hearts to random designers.  Please leave a comment below if you would like a chance...I will choose a heart for you, similar to the pictured ones above. You must have a blog, commit to creating a jewelry design with the offered component, and blog about your design during the designated blog hop date which will be on the last day of the month, or thereabouts (subject to change via the AJE blog).  I will choose the winners and announce them on Wed, 1/29/14!! Good luck!

Melissa Meman
Melismatic Art Jewelry
Art. Life. Love.

Learning To Play in 2013 And Beyond

When you are reading this post on Saturday, my husband and I will be busy taking down the Christmas tree and returning our living room to its normal, everyday appearance.  And while packing away the ornaments and the Christmas stockings, it seems appropriate to reflect upon the past year and to think about where my life journey might lead in 2014.

Preparing to write this post was a good exercise for me.  It made me realize how much exploration I did this past year.  I kind of surprised myself!  I started 2013 with Kerry Bogart's month-long  "Aspire To Wire" e-course.  I learned a lot from Kerry and it boosted my wire working confidence.  Since then, I have been making more of my own clasps, earwires, bails etc. and I plan to do even more in that direction in 2014.  Lately, I have been pushing my wire work skills even further, while working with Cindy Wimmer's new book, "The Missing Link".

Chris, (a local friend), and I started playing with enamels this year.  She has an awesome studio set up and she helped me get started and gave me pointers on how improve my technique.  I discovered that it is fun and inspiring to have some shared studio time with a friend!

I also got together with fellow AJE member, Kristi Bowman, several times this past year.  Kristi lives about 1.5 hours north of me.  We shared a booth at a couple of shows.  We work well together when vending and we have fun joking and talking shop.  We are planning some shared studio time in the upcoming year, also!

Kristi & I in the center, with lampwork artists Lara Lutrick (left) and Lori Bergaman (right).

  

Kristi and I also attended a metal retreat together, hosted by AJE member Francesca Watson and Melissa Muir.  I had a pinched nerve in my back and missed about half of the week-long retreat, but I am grateful for the time I could be there.  I became more confidant with the torch, and experimented with pewter casting, the use of a hydraulic press and a rolling mill.  I also made a bunch of wonderful new friends.  Kristi and I are already looking forward to the 2014 metal retreat!

Recently I've become intrigued with polymer clay.  I'm not much interested in "traditional" cane work, but rather in textures and surface decoration.  Kristi gave me an old pasta machine of hers and some 2 part mold.  I purchased a toaster oven and am anxious to give it a go in 2014.  I even collected and pressed ginkgo leaves (see below) when I was in Germany this past October.  Won't they make cool impressions for a polymer clay pendant?

The last 2 months of 2013 saw me experimenting with WoolyWire.  I love the texture and rich colors this hand-dyed wool brings to jewelry.  I know I'll be incorporating it in my work in 2014, as well.

The most recent development has me completely baffled.  I've begun doodling.  My mother sketched and painted and my brother has done illustrations in magazines and newspapers.  He has had his cartoons published in the New Yorker, and has illustrated 3 children's books.  I could never draw worth beans and just assumed that my brother got the total allotment of painterly DNA available for my parent's offspring.

Suddenly I've wanted to draw.  I was scared at 1st, because there's a strong line of perfectionism in my family and that trait can be both a blessing and a curse.  It is a curse, if you feel you have to somehow measure up to some imagined standard set by your mother and brother's gifts.  So I doodled secretly....don't laugh!  Then a couple of weeks ago, I just decided to h*** with feeling like I had to  excel at everything I do.  Its more than okay to just play and have fun for the sheer joy of it.  I'm not even drawing bead designs.  Just playing with shapes, colors and shading.  I have no training in art and no clue about techniques.  I don't know if this will be incorporated somehow into coloring polymer clay or if it is just an amusing diversion. And wonder of wonders, I no longer feel the need for this to be leading to a "productive" end-point.  Its is not a competition.  Its healthy to play and explore. My mind and heart are open and I'll see where 2014 takes me.

Linda
Linda Landig Jewelry – ArtFire 
Linda Landig Jewelry – Etsy

Looking Ahead

I really hate New Year's resolutions. For me, they just amount to one more reason to feel like a loser in February, when I've only made it to the gym twice instead of daily. (I know you know what I'm talking about!)

Photo from the I Hate Cigarettes page on Facebook - but I don't recommend the page. Gross, crude humor. This was funny, though.

Instead, I choose a single word every year that represents some aspect of my character I want to develop, and then I make plans and decisions based on how each applies to my one word. I'm still praying about what my word should be for 2014, but I think a similar approach to my creative work makes sense. There are a lot of skills I need to keep current, but what is the one technique I want to focus on developing and improving in the next year?

Easy.

I have fallen hard for enamels. And I mean hard. Last Christmas, my best friend gave me Linda Darty's book on enamels and I never looked back. Torch-fired enamels have been my primary focus this year (my Component of the Month contribution this year were enameled pieces) but I have been itching to do more with kiln-firing and some of the more advanced techniques.

I've written before about artists who are inspiring to me, but I recently discovered another artist whose work with liquid enamels is mind-blowing.

Ken Bova has been experimenting with liquid enamels for several years now - and he has limited himself to using primarily white liquid enamel. Yet he gets an amazing range of colors out of that single element, by overfiring, direct firing, and scratching back to bare metal so he can use its oxidation as a design element. It's an intriguing approach: pick one color and test that color to its limits.

I'm also really interested in what happens with the addition of foils under transparent colors. Barbara Minor is an artist and teacher who's doing a lot of work with foils and decorative elements - I'd like to find a way to take a workshop with her this year!

So in addition to keeping my foundational metal skills current, I'm going to be doing a lot more with enamels this year. What's your focus going to be? What technique are you dying to explore or expand?

On behalf of the entire AJE team, I wish you all a very safe and happy new year's celebration. We'll see you in 2014!

Until next time -

A New Color Adventure: Enameled Beads

I spent an afternoon at a friend's studio last week, learning how to torch fire enamels.  I've been wanting to learn for a few years now.  I love playing with color, so this seemed to be right up my alley.

I was so excited when my friend, Christine, offered to show me the basics.  Unfortunately I was so focused on playing with the enamel, that I forgot to take any pictures in Christine's studio. :(  But here is what I came home with.

This is very obviously a beginner's attempt.  The top left bead doesn't even appear to have color on it, although it is shiny.  But here's what I love about enamel:  I can just fire this black bead up again, add enamel, and it will look fine. It is a very forgiving medium.  Next to the black bead is one that is ivory color.  It looks a bit darker in the photo than it actually is.  Next to it is one that was supposed to be ivory with an overlay of green, which is just barely noticeable.  On the bottom right is a blue bead, that could probably benefit from an additional layer of enamel.  The green speckled one was my last bead.  I started with 2 coats of blue and then I scattered green frit on it and got the speckles.  The 2 headpins have a nice layer of color, but some of it chipped off the ends.  I've since read that headpins can be a bit tricky.

Before the day was out, I'd ordered enamel supplies from Barbara Lewis's website and I ordered her book from a local independent bookstore.  I was so giddily happy that night. Enameling was like color heaven for me.

A few days later, my goodies arrived.

I tore open the box! Oh!  Wow!  I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning!

I have my biggest show of the summer in a few days and I'm currently in full panic mode.  So I haven't really had time to play with my new "toys" yet.  As soon as the show is over, this will be my next focus and I'm raring to go!

In the meantime, I've have an extensive enameling Pinterest board, which has tons of inspiration and tutorials, in case you'd like to check it out. I've also gathered up some wonderful samples of torch fired enameled jewelry to share with you here.  Enjoy!

AJE team member, Melissa Meman, sells both finished jewelry and enamel components. I hope my enamels will look this pretty someday!   Here are some examples.

Sue Kennedy, also creates enamel components.  Wouldn't these be pretty in some autumn jewelry?  Fall is coming up faster than you think.

Or, if you don't want to let go of summer yet, you can try these pretty lilac beads.

Ellianne's shop focuses exclusively on torched fired enamel jewelry and components.

And here's the shop that originally started my love affair with enamel, Teka and Zoe.  I am the happy owner of two pairs of earrings from this shop, (these are actually, probably kiln fired, not torch fired, but I find her work very inspiring and I want everything in her shop!!!).

So stay tuned for "The Further Adventures of Linda's Enamels".  I'll keep you posted.  What is something that has fired up your creative enthusiasm recently?

Linda

Linda Landig Jewelry - ArtFire 

Linda Landig Jewelry - Etsy