Events Calendar

While silver jewelry has a magic special to that metal, there is something amazing that happens when you add color to that silver piece. In this two day class the students will begin by designing and creating a silver clay project. This will take most of the first day.

When the pieces are fired and polished, the next step will be to apply glass enamels. We will use lead free Thompson enamels in a range of colors easy to use by students beginning to learn this art. We will demonstrate several possible designs from fish pendants to masks and other items, each of which will allow the students to explore their design creativity and experiment with the enamels color palette.

Project Day 1:  Completed, fired and polished fine silver pendant using textures or syringe drawn “cloissens” to capture and outline the enamel.

Project Day 2:  A brilliantly colored fine silver pendant embellished with transparent glass enamel.

Note:  Students may register for only one of the two days.  If you only sign up for the second day, you must bring a fine silver piece that is fired, fully polished and ready for enamel.

Techniques Day 1:

• Design pendants for enamel.
• Design and outline "cloissens" using syringe.
• Use textures or sheet clay as an alternative to syringe.

Techniques Day 2:

• Learn the types of enamels and which are safest and most reliable.
• "Wet pack" enamel on the surface of the silver.
• Layer enamel in steps and fire it safely.
• Discuss problems and issues associated with trying to fix enamel mistakes.

Materials:  PMC3 clay, paste, syringe, and sheet as needed for the project.

Class Kit Fee:  The instructor will provide a set of enamels for use in class.  Colors will be those proven to give good results.  At the time of the class students may purchase Enamel Kits for use at home.