-
Image
-
Image
Enameling Basics and Beyond
Vitreous Enameling is the process of fusing a thin layer of powdered glass to a metal surface in order to enhance its beauty through color.
In this virtual course students will start their journey at the very beginning of the enameling process and will work through several exercises to build a solid foundation for this beloved metalsmithing technique. If you have sketchbooks full of color this course will allow you to translate those into enamel. Understanding the processes and the "whys" behind techniques will be a major element of this course. Allowing you to finish feeling confident in your own abilities and knowledge.
Class demos will cover how to properly prepare the metal and enamel for the process as well as several application methodologies. This course will focus on working with powder enamels, sifting, wet packing, and using some handmade stencils. Each demonstration will offer participants new information that can then be applied to their own enameling practice.
Opaque and transparent enamels will be used together in this course so participants leave with an understanding of the differences, how to get the most out of each type of enamel, and ways to use them together to achieve color transitions and blending.
For more information about virtual courses, visit our Virtual Course FAQ page.
Please read the Materials & Tools tab!
Meet the instructor
Jennifer Wells is a studio artist and educator originally from the U.S but currently living in Italy. She holds an MFA, in Metalsmithing & Jewelry Design and has completed artist-in- residencies at: Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN, Pocosin Arts in Columbia, NC and the Jentel Foundation near Banner, WY. She has worked for several U.S based Craft Schools, in a variety of roles.
As an educator, Jennifer has taught for and been a visiting Artist at Universities throughout the U.S and for study abroad programs based in Italy. She serves on the Board of Vita Institute and teaches short workshops on various enameling and metalsmithing techniques throughout Europe and the U.S. In recent years she has curated multiple international exhibitions focused on jewelry and enameling.
Her works are in the collections of the Enamel Arts Foundation, Racine Museum, All Russian Museum of Decorative Arts, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Yale University Art Gallery, Crocker Art Museum and Private Collections.
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 material (note you will need to cut your own discs if you get sheet):
- 12"x6" x copper sheet - to cut discs (Metalliferous)
- OR
- 10 min. x pre-domed discs - 1" to 2" (Metalliferous)
Enamel (note these are some suggested colors by the instructor):
- 2oz x 1010 or 1020 Foundation White (Etsy)
- 2oz x 1996 Opaque Black (Etsy)
- 2oz x 1040 Quill White (Etsy)
- 2oz x 1605 Isle Blue (Etsy)
- 2oz x 1308 Lichen Green (Etsy)
- 2oz x 1237 Butter Yellow (Etsy)
- 2oz x 1705 Petal Pink (Etsy)
- 2oz x 2020 Clear Flux (Etsy)
- 2oz x 2830 Orange Red Ruby (Etsy)
- 2oz x 2530 Water (Etsy)
- 2oz x 2335 Peacock Green (Etsy)
Hand tools:
- 1 x wood dapping block - only if cutting your own discs (Rio)
- 1 x shears - only if cutting your own discs (Rio)
- 1 x tweezers - with clean tips (Rio)
- 1 x metal painting spatula / palette knife (Amazon)
- 1 x sable brush - #1/0
- 1 x sable brush - #5
Enameling setup:
- 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
- 1 x kiln - mini or full size (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x sifter set - 60 mesh (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x steel screen - for your kiln size (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x steel trivet - for your kiln size (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x firing fork / spatula (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x tongs or tweezers - for moving hot objects (Rio Grande)
- 1 x crockpot or lidded glass container - for pickle (Amazon)
- 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
- 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
- 1 x alundum stone - 220 grit (Etsy)
- 8oz. x Klyr-fire (Etsy)
- sink or large tub of water - for cleaning enamel
Other/miscellaneous items:
- hard work surface
- fan and open window - or ventilation system
- safety glasses
- ear protection
- pencil and notebook - note taking
- rags/towels
- distilled water - 1/2 gallon
- old magazines
- ajax / bar keeper's friend
- square / block eraser
- dust mask - N95 suggested
- 2oz jars - about 8 empty canisters