Equipment
Traditionally enamel is fired in a kiln, and although I have one, I prefer to use a gas torch. Using a gas torch allows flexibility and spontaneity: there is no need to wait for a kiln to heat up. It uses a fraction of the energy which is both more economical and better for the environment. And if you have a hopping easily distracted mind (like me) it is a great technique as the process is happening in front of you making it extremely difficult to forget you are firing something - or that the kiln is even on.
Wet packing enamel around the cloisonne wires using a brush
Enamel Powders
Some of my favourite enamels are WG Ball enamels which are made in Stoke-on-Trent. Their factory is just around the corner from where my grandparents used to live. My mum used to pick up my orders and reminisce in the office about my great great grandfather doing his coal rounds in the area with his horse and cart in the 40’s. These connections are more important to me than I realised.
lead free enamel powders and fine silver casting grain
There as so many beautiful and subtle enamel colours available that choosing is a bit like being a child in a sweet shop. For years I concentrated on a pallette of12 colours and got to know them very well. These days I love to mix enamels, different colours, different suppliers and also lead bearing and lead free and this often results in exciting and unpredictable effects, my favourite being an iridescent shimmering green as seen below in my bad tempered frogs.
Irridescent cloisonne frogs enamelled on copper and silver
Metals
The metal I use to enamel on is either copper or silver. I collect copper offcuts from the recycling bin of a local metal supplier, these are too small for him to use and just right for me. Upcycling the copper offcuts reduces waste and aditional refining, it is also cheaper than buying it in larger sheets. Any waste copper I have which is too small or gnarly to use I take to the recycling centre where it is sent off for refining, nothing is throw away.
I like using both copper and silver, copper makes experimentation possible and silver really enhances the beauty of enamels. With the silver there is no waste, I use every last bit and melt down my offcuts into balls and then turn them into the organically shaped disc earrings.
My enamels are set in sterling silver, which I usually patinate to a dark matt grey.