The Art of Enameling

Texture, form and color are why I design jewelry. The techniques, materials, shapes, colors, textures, etc., are practically endless! Any aspect of art can be incorporated, and it's just so much fun. I could never limit myself to just one technique or one material. Sooooo....

I just took a two day workshop sponsored by the Chicago Metal Arts Guild with enamel artist and educator Linda Darty and it was amazing. She wrote the book "The Art of Enameling", and it was such a privilege to be able to learn from her. I had no idea that you could do so much with enamels! Talk about texture, form and color! In two days, she was only able to briefly cover all of the techniques in her book (which is a must have, by the way, if only to look at the beautiful pictures!), but I have experience in working with ceramics, glazes, lampwork glass, painting and of course, metals, and I feel like I now have a good basis of knowing what's possible, and thanks to Linda's workshop and book, the techniques to do it, and the rest is up to me. Of course, I'll start simple, but that suits my "organic and earthy" style just fine. Again, it's color and texture that I'm after. Soft, transparent, subtle color!!! I just placed an order for bitter green, robin's egg blue, storm blue, elk brown, and more -- and cannot wait for them to arrive so that I can get started.