New enamels

Here are some new enamel pieces I've been working on, inspired by the dish pendant from a while back. Still trying to get that magic formula...







Also, a special piece that I did for my daughter, after we lost her fuzzy friend last weekend..

After class..

Had jewelry class tonight and it went soooo fast since I was in the kiln the whole time.
2 minutes in
remove and marvel at the results
prepare some more stuff
2 minutes in
remove and marvel at the results
...and repeat...

I am officially in the market for a kiln.
*sigh* I love enameling!

Foiled 2nd Attempt

I tried tonight to replicate the "dish" enamel piece that I posted yesterday, in different colors, but I seem to have the recipe wrong. Don't have time for pictures tonight, but I wasn't able to get this same tie-dye effect.

grr...... (frustration)

Enameled Dish Pendant

Here is the result of some playing around I did in the studio 2 weeks ago. I started with a 1-1/2" copper disc. At first it turned out yucky. I didn't like it at all. So then I went to my enamel collection and added some dots, and fired it again. I loved it! Just goes to show you how things can go wrong *happily*! : )

Then last week I made the fabulous sterling backing, and voila!

Latest Work

Here are a few photos of some recently finished pieces:

The blue & white enamel was torch-fired. I loved the enamel design, but really like the way the setting worked out too. It was a good way to use up silver scraps!

This cloisonne swirly piece was set in a more traditional way. I personalized the setting with some of my favorite techniques:




This irregularly shaped druzy was a good opportunity for trying a prong setting idea. The top is a hollow piece that I'll put a chain or neckwire through:



I bought some new stones from The Gem Shop yesterday (my favorite rock shop!). This is a Crazy Lace agate - I loved the colors, but the photo doesn't show the intensity:



One more class left in this semester, and then we're on break...

Tomorrow is studio day

Trying to figure out what to make tomorrow in class... I might see if Terri has any copper to buy, and cut shapes to use in enameling. I hope to be able to make some coooool shapes to enamel and string together in a necklace. I may already have some somewhere... in the garage I think I have some rectangles & squares. Hopefully I can get my torch going this weekend (if there's time) and do some enameling. Of all the things I've learned in class I think enameling has the most potential for me. I love the color, and the combination of working w/ metal and adding color to part/all of a piece. It is the best as far as flexibility goes. Sort of time-consuming, but it can be an efficient process if you try.

Cloisonne

Here are some recent enamel pieces from the cloisonne class I took w/ Linda Darty. She was so generous w/ technique and color blending hints, and it was a real joy to work with her.

Also, welcome to my 1st blog entry!