Advanced Torch-Fire Enameling: Saw and Solder Champlevé

IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE! This virtual course is the next and final continuation of the Torch-Fire Enameling trilogy and a direct follow-up to Intermediate Torch-Fire Enameling. In this virtual workshop, students will learn how to create champlevé enamel pieces using the intricate and satisfying saw and solder, and torch-fire enameling techniques - no kiln needed! Tips and tricks on how to design for this technique will be shared. The processes of sawing, soldering, wet packing, torch-firing, stoning, finishing, and soldering on findings so to not obstruct or ruin your enameled pieces will be shown. Working with opaque and/or transparent enamels, students will work to create a wearable piece of jewelry. Inspirational work made by enamelists and metalsmiths will also be shared as a jumping off point. Some previous enameling experience will prove helpful but is not required.

For more information about virtual courses, visit our Virtual Course FAQ page. 

Please read the Materials & Tools tab!  

Meet the instructor

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Marissa Saneholtz makes narrative based jewelry and objects using humor and sarcasm to comment on gender roles in American society.  She has been published in several books, including Art Jewelry Today II edited by Jeffery Snyder, Humor in Craft by Brigitte Martin, and Narrative Jewelry: Tales from the Toolbox by Mark Fenn. Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally and can be found in multiple collections including the Racine Art Museum, the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC, the Enamel Arts Foundation in Los Angeles, CA, The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock, AR, and the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA.

 

Materials & Tools

The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name (in red) to be redirected to a page where you can find the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.

Metal/raw materials:

Enamels (can be various colors, lead bearing or lead free, opaque or transparent): ​

A fabulous beginning palette of lead free opaque colors:​

A fabulous beginning palette of lead free transparent colors:

Enameling tools:

Soldering tools:

  • 1 x Solderite™ pad / fire bricks (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x 3rd arm (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x cross lock tweezers (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x paste flux (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x brass bristle brush (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or Amazon)
  • 1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
  • 1 x small brush - for flux
  • 1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal

Hand tools:​

Other/miscellaneous items: ​

  • jewelry findings of your choice - pins, bails, ear wires, etc.
  • 2 containers - 1 for clean distilled water, 1 to rinse brush
  • rubber cement 
  • comet or pumice powder - for cleaning
  • scotch brite pads - for cleaning
  • distilled or filtered water
  • safety glasses
  • scissors
  • tweezers - for foil
  • small paint brush - 1 clean and 1 to get dirty
  • particulate dust mask - at least an N95
  • quart size ziploc bag - for dust mask
  • magazines - to sift on
  • paper towels
  • small eye dropper or pipette 
  • tin can or extra fire bricks for make a "kiln" - optional
Virtual Course
Tuition
$150.00
Instructor
Marissa Saneholtz
Level
Basic and above
Pre-requisites
Jewelry 1 and basic enamel skills
Location
Virtual - Eastern Time Zone
Length
  • 2 days
Schedule
  • July 31, 2021 - August 1, 2021
    Daily
    1:00pm – 3:00pm
Class Dates
  • July 31, 2021
  • August 1, 2021
 

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