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I first saw this technique in a work-shop held at West Dean College, Cich-ester, Great Britain, presented by Louise O'Neill and Bonnie Macintosh. I was immediately filled with enthusiasm by this technology, but the high cost for the press disturbed me. I only occasionally do such work. When back at home I began to experiment with less expensive tools and came up with a 'low cost' press forming technique.... (2000) Complete Story
This article describes a micro vacuum cleaner, based on an aquarium pump, for use by enamelists. The vacuum cleaner allows for cleaning up sifted or spilled enamel. It offers an alternative to wet packing when doing cloisonne, and you can use it to create lines and designs. There are probably lots more uses that I havent thought of.... (2005) Complete Story
Although enameling is a new art form for me, I came to it with many years of china painting experience. Painting on porcelain is a time consuming process. Each firing requires several hours, and three or more firings may be needed to complete one painting. A while ago, a friend showed me how to apply enamel to a small piece of domed copper. I was fascinated with the process and very impressed with the speed of the firing, and decided to try it using a propane torch. Playing with this new media was very exciting and before long I wondered if I could use the same china paint materials and techniques on enamel that I had used on porcelain. Much to my delight I found I could...What follows is a description of the simple painting process I currently use.... (2005) Complete Story
I have worked out a way to use screen printing methods so as to 'print' on metal, using dry enamels. It is based on using screens made out of material that is coarse enough to let dry enamel go through it. Designs can be masked into the screens using photo emulsion. Using this method, one can apply dry enamels, and have good spatial control over where the enamel goes.... (1993) Complete Story
The question about the differences between lead bearing and lead free enamel is the same as the questions about the difference between lead bearing and lead bearing, or between lead free and lead free. There are more differences between enamelists than there are between enamels when it comes to fiction versus fact. Assuming that both of what is being compared are of equal quality, there can be only one source for any major disparity aside from the initial manufacture of a specific vitreous enamel batch, in which case the results would be generally the same. The ability and knowledge of the person enameling becomes the central issue and source for the differences aside from the technical/chemical facts.... (1991) Complete Story
