Enameling - the fusing of powdered glass onto metal by firing - is an ancient technique. It has been used mainly in the decorative arts and jewelry. And no wonder! The vivid colors are simply wonderful. It is arguably the best way to add color to metal. One well known type of enamel work is
cloisonné where thin wires form barriers to the colored enamel.
I recently received
Jeweler's Enameling Workshop: Techniques and Projects for Making Enameled Jewelry
from Interweave/F+W Media for review. The book is by Pauline Warg, a metal smith with 38 years of experience.
This artist started on her enameling journey when she was just 7 years old. She had received a Trinket Enameling Kit which included a small kiln (similar to
this Ultralite Kiln
) and was allowed to set up a small studio!! She said,
" I read and experimented with all the techniques described in the pamphlet that came with the kit. I was quite productive, making gifts of bowls, pins, pendants and earrings for family members. That kiln gave me hours of enjoyment for many years, and I taught myself the basics of sifted enamels using it."
That early experience cemented her interest. Her book thus distills decades of practical know how. The
Enameling Basics section of the book is particularly text heavy but essential reading for enameling newbies. What is different about this enameling resource is the coverage for both torch fired and kiln fired projects. The author covers all the different kiln options.
The projects include ways of dry sifting enamel powder using stencils, glass threads and foil. She also covers wet packing where the enamels are kept wet.
The projects start with the easiest and progressively gets more challenging. Although the Jewelry Making Tips and Tricks at the end covers some basic wire and metal work, this book does not have a specific section on how to use a jewelry saw, file, drill, solder and form metal. The author does however demonstrate some techniques like fold forming ( the green earrings below) in individual projects
The author has a beautiful project for a cloisonné ring (see below).
She also includes a project using the Champlevé (French for "raised field") method where holes are cut out of a metal layer which is then silver soldered onto a backing metal layer. The enamel is added to the holes or pits. Pauline says this is her favorite method although she cautions that it's for those with some experience of enameling. I can see why. Her Champlevé bead pendant was also my favorite design from the book.
What she doesn't cover is the
Plique-à-jour (French for "letting in daylight") technique. It is an advanced and challenging one and beyond the scope of the book. It is a bit similar to cloisonne but there is no backing metal. The stained glass effect is stunning! (Rene Lalique was one Art Nouveau artist who excelled at this -
see example)
Enameling is definitely the next skill to consider once one has embarked on a metal smithing journey. This book is an invaluable resource to have on hand to learn this art. Best suited for those with some metal work experience.
GiveawayIf you'd like to win a copy of
Jeweler's Enameling Workshop, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
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This giveaway is international. If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book. Otherwise it will be an eBook.Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at
6 pm EST Monday, June 6 , 2016 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
DisclosureI receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
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