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

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 

In love with enamels...

Last year, I learned to torch-fire copper pieces with Thompson un-leaded enamels, and I was instantly smitten. For someone who loves every process related to metal - banging on it, heating it, folding it, piercing it - the addition of color was a heady prospect. And torch-firing is just the kind of muscular, instant-gratification process I am drawn to.

Vintage copper stampings with torch-fired enamels

Then, for Christmas, my best friend gave me this amazing book.

Amazing book - go buy it!

So, first of all, if you have any interest in enameling at all, The Art of Enameling by Linda Darty must become part of your studio library. As in "not negotiable." It is comprehensive in scope, detailed and thorough in its explanations, and filled with stunning photographs. Seriously - you need this book in your library. One of these days, I'll post a more thorough review, but the Cliff notes version is this: Awesome. Buy it. (Non-affiliate link - I just think this book rocks.)

As if I don't have enough techniques on my plate to work on perfecting, I began to long for an opportunity to try my hand at kiln-firing enamels. I adore the organic results that are possible with torch firing, but the back side of every piece is inevitably scorched from the direct contact with the flame, and I was envisioning a combination of the two techniques: torch-fired front side with kiln-fired counter-enamel on the reverse. And then a great deal on a Jen-Ken enameling kiln fell into my lap, and I jumped at it.

Mine is similar to this but also has a door in the front for accessing the firing area for enamels.

We're in the process of readying our house for sale, and I'm reluctant to take the time now to make the studio changes necessary for a kiln enameling center, so the kiln is sitting in my garage and I'm left trolling Pinterest. I can't stop thinking about it, so I thought I'd share some of the inspiring pieces I've stumbled across in the last few weeks.

Ruth Ball Enamel Design (source: Pinterest)

I love everything about these - the colors, the metal work, the movement. And I love that while each of these is similar, each is unique with its own distinct feel - and the settings are clearly handmade and designed for the piece.

Angela Gerhard (source: Pinterest)

Reds are a finicky color in enamels - quirky, hard to fire true, and prone to failing if all the elements aren't precisely right. Angela uses red a lot in her work, and always successfully. I am very fond of this trapezoidal shape and the gorgeous soft matte finish on the red is terrific. (Note also the gradation on the black and red piece - wow.)

Carly Wright (source: Daily Art Muse)

Carly Wright's website is one of those places where it's possible to wander and linger for a very long time. Her work is so unusual and beautiful, and I love both her artist's statement (which is simple and without the self-reverential tone of many I have read) and her explanation of her process. The Daily Art Muse article where I found her work described her as "painterly" and I think it fits.

Beth Novak (source: Beth Novak)

Every single thing about Beth's work sings to me. Her metalwork is gritty and organic, and the enamels she adds to each piece are crisp and specific.

So these are the things I'm drooling over these days - and, if I'm being honest, I am at once certain I will never ascend to these heights and hopeful I might make something that approaches this beauty. The kiln in my garage is impatient to get started. And, I suppose, so am I.

What about you? What new technique is calling your name??

Until next time!