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Champleve (shahmp-luh-vay), meaning - raised plane - in French, is the process by which a design is cut, gouged or etched out of metal to create low areas for the enamel. After many layers of enamel have been fired, the piece is stoned and may be re-fired to restore a glossy finish. The unenameled metal areas may be waxed, polished or plated. I cut, clean and etch many pieces at one time, but I fire each piece separately. Each piece requires approximately 8 to 10 firings.... (2004) Complete Story
I have been making my cloisonne beads since 1996 in a variety of methods with fine silver and wires of fine silver or 24K gold for the designs. My method of fusing two domed halves of fine silver requires fewer metalsmithing skills than the other methods I use, which is why I have chosen to explain this one. Although I currently create my beads the way I describe here, the door is always open for experimentation....
(2004) Complete Story
Enameling on pieces made from Precious Metal Clay is a joy! The clay is malleable and will take any shape or texture: it handles like ordinary clay before it is sintered. After the sintering, the material is usable in a variety of enameling techniques. Sintering, an evaporation process, is done by firing the formed clay in a kiln at a high temperature that removes the binder and water and compresses the minute metal particles into solid metal. After sintering, the object is pure silver or gold and is enameled as such.... (2002) Complete Story
Marianne Hunter had been a painter and crafts explorer when she began enameling in 1967. She is self-taught. After 12 years of discipline in the grisaille technique, she turned to color and foils that gave her a feeling of limitlessness. Her metalsmithing techniques are her own, the necessity of concept driving the ability to execute. Everything about her work is personal - it is driven by passionate yearning. Enamel work has been her only employment since 1967....
(2004) Complete Story
Susan Demski and I have developed a cloisonne technique for our jewelry, which ranges in size from 1/4" dia. to about 4" x 5". Our pieces are enameled on fine silver with gold cloisonne wire and then set in karat gold. For the enameling, we use 22 ga for earrings and 20 ga for most other pieces. We prefer the fine silver because it is a bright, neutral color that does not oxidize. Our enamels require from 15 to 20 firings. We start with an exact color drawing. We either cut the shape from the drawing with table shears or....
(2002) Complete Story
