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My enamel jewelry includes earrings, pins, pendants, lockets and rings done in Grisaille and Limoges techniques. Within most of the pieces are miniature paintings with images of womens faces and animals. My enamel pieces, using copper, 80 mesh enamels, ceramic pigments and foils, usually require from 25 to 40 firings. I collaborate with my husband, Alex, who is a goldsmith. Each enamel piece is set in 22K or 18K gold.... (2004) Complete Story
An enamel of any size can be produced by working sectionally. I cut copper sheet into irregular shapes to enhance and strengthen a design and to give the illusion of a large single piece. The pieces are mounted on a single sheet of 3/4" marine plywood. This method requires a worktable large enough to lay out the full-scale work. I have made many panels by this method, the largest being 5" x 7", which is the size of my worktable. The large panels are hung with the tow-piece brackets used for wall cabinets.... (2003) Complete Story
In basse-taille (bahs ty), the metal has a design or a texture partially cut into its surface before being completely covered with transparent enamels, which allows the design or texture to be seen. Engraving and etching are among the many methods for cutting the metal. A resist is first painted on the areas that are not to be etched before the metal piece is placed in an acid bath.... (2003) Complete Story
The most commonly used metals for enameling are pure copper and fine silver. The fine silver is primarily used for jewelry because of its cost, color and the advantage of not producing a firescale coat like copper does when it is fired. The copper is the most used metal for enameling for many reasons.... (2003) Complete Story
For more than twenty years, I have been using overglazes as a direct painting technique. My canvas usually is a fired, flux and white base coated enameled copper piece. Although I sometimes make a rough sketch for placement, I more often paint directly in an impressionistic style. Each painting is a new and different delight. Even after all these years.... (2003) Complete Story
