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Fancy Foils: Creative Applications for Foil on Enamel
Metal foils are mostly used in enameling to enhance transparent enamel when working on copper, but offer a variety of other opportunities for creative use! This live, virtual workshop addresses three of these unique applications for precious metal foil on enamel work. Students will first learn how to prepare and cut their foils before moving on to proper application techniques on an enameled surface. This course will also cover layering techniques to create dimensional effects and adding foils as a reflective finishing touch on the surface of finished pieces. Silver foils will be the focus of this workshop.
This course will consist of two sessions. There will be a no-class day between each session.
Class will be held live via Zoom during the designated time frames. A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent via email.
Each session will be recorded and you will receive a password protected link to the recordings that will expire after 30 days.
Please read the Materials & Tools tab!
Meet the instructor
Barbara Seidenath was born and raised in Munich, Germany. She studied Jewelry making at the State School for Glass and Jewelry in Neugablonz, Germany where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Goldsmithing, followed by a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich.
Seidenath has been on the teaching faculty of the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI for nearly three decades. She also taught at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and has been a faculty member at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She has taught many seminars and workshops in the U.S. and abroad and has had her work shown in international solo and group exhibitions.
Seidenath's work has been seen at the American Craft Museum, New York City; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Design Museum of Munich, Germany. In 2002, Marjorie Simon wrote in Metalsmith Magazine "[Seidenath's work] is as delectable as the witch's house was to Hansel and Gretel. Putting it on would be like breaking the frozen surface and seeing the sun burst through again." Click here to read the full article: Bohemian Rhapsody - Importing Barbara Seidenath by Marjorie Simon [Metalsmith Magazine - Summer 2002]
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.
Enamels will be needed to complete class objectives - check manufacturer product details as some transparent powder forms are not compatible with silver (NO red, pink, orange, or purple):
- transparent enamel powder form - sample packets are sufficient (Thompson or Thompson or Enamel Art Supply)
- counter enamel for back side - your choice (Thompson)
You will need firing tools and equipment throughout this course:
- 1 x fireproof work area - steel baking sheet(s) will work (Amazon)
- 1 x kiln and/or torch - for enameling (Rio Grande)
- 1 x set of sifters - your preferred mesh (Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x flanged screen - 6"x6" (Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x three-point trivet - 3" (Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x firing fork (Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x pliers or tweezers - for moving hot objects (Rio Grande)
- 1 x enamel holding agent - such as Klyr-Fire (Rio Grande or Thompson)
- 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
- pickle - for non-ferrous metals (Rio Grande)
- crock pot or tempered glass container with lid - for pickle (Amazon)
Hand tools and equipment that will be useful for workshop objectives:
- 1 x tweezers - sharp / clean for foil placement (Rio Grande)
- 1 x sharp scissors - for cutting foil (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pliers - your preference (Rio Grande)
- 1 x steel block - if you wish to flatten metal (Rio Grande)
- 1 x needle file or standard files - for back plate (Rio Grande)
- 1 x burnisher - bent (Rio Grande)
- 1 x jewelers saw - for sawing sheet metal (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack of sawblades (Rio Grande)
- diamond bur or diamond file - optional (Harbor Freight)
Metal materials that will be needed to complete objectives:
- 22g copper sheet - 3"x3" or as desired for work/samples (Rio Grande)
- 1-2 x Ginbari foil sheets (Enamel Art Supply or Thompson)
You will also want to provide any of your own favorite enameling supplies and the following common studio items:
- punches and cutters - for cutting foil shapes - optional
- distilled water - optional
- isopropyl alcohol - optional
- dust mask
- brass brush or tooth brush - for cleaning metal
- dish soap - for cleaning metal
- sink or bowls - for rinsing
- rubber spatula
- eye protection - for kiln / torch
- glass containers - for mixing enamels
- towels/rags and paper towels
- fan and open window - for ventilation
- clean fine brush - small
- tissue or tracing paper or baking parchment paper - 1 sheet