North Carolina Society of Goldsmiths
The Forge and Fuse Method for Jewelry Scale Enameling
Taught by Lillian Jones
Aug 4-5, 2007 from 10am - 4pm at The ArtCenter in Carrboro.
Cost: $150 for members (you must be a member to participate). Add $20 to your fee to join NCSG.
Jewelry scale enameling: The Forge and Fuse technique - In this class we will create a small pendant or a pair of earrings using fine silver and transparent Ninomya Leaded enamels. We will explore the use of the beehive kiln (ultralite kiln), to both fuse fine silver to form a base and rim, and melt the enamel onto the silver. We will texture the fine silver with roller printing, chasing and engraving, and create a forged and fused rim for the piece that takes the place of a bezel. Although this enamel technique is limited to elements no larger than 1.5 inches in diameter, it combines cloisonné, champleve and basse taille to create brilliant sparkly confections. This scale is great for jewelry, and the small kiln is an easy and portable tool. You can carry your whole enameling workshop in a toolbox. We will also make our own tiny tool to apply the glass.
What to bring: I will provide both the tools and the materials. However, if you already have these things, bring yours:
Eyesight. If you don't have it, get it. Not optional.
Silver: I use FINE silver. I'll have disks and wire to buy, (about $5, depending on market) but if you want to get your own, I suggest Hauser & Miller. I use 22 ga. sheet and 16 ga. round wire, mostly. 24 ga. round for making cloisonné wire.
Kilns: I'll bring two ultralites which is plenty. If you want to bring your own, bring an extension cord too. They have really short cords.
Enamels: NCSG has the enamels, so you do not need to buy any. Optionally, you can order samples from Coral Schaffer at Enamelwork Supply in Seattle for a $1 each. One sample goes a long way. Color charts are online at Enamel Emporium's site. They are nice too. We will use Thompson unleaded for the sifted parts, and use the leaded only in solution. Make sure you get TRANSPARENT ENAMELS, and don't get too many pinks or reds, as they fire yellow over silver.
Metalsmithing tools: (All optional, as I will provide them) Small polished steel blocks and hammers for forging, butane torch for fusing, tiny tweezers for wirework, stamps, texture tools, engraving tools, sunshine cloth, a couple of earwires or a necklace to hang your finished pieces on. Bigger tweezers to use in the kiln (I like harbor freight's cheap diamond tweezers)
Miscellaneous: We will need little plastic cups. I use 2 oz. clear cups I get from the party shop, for 'shooters' or from the party store. I should have these on hand, but you may want your own.
Biography
Lillian Jones received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, followed by a two year scholarship in metals at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA. She also earned a Masters Degree in Industrial Design at North Carolina State University.
She worked as a Product Designer for Cooper Tools and also has worked as a jewelry fabricator for talented metalsmiths and designers Mary Ann Scherr and Ben Dyer. Since 1990 she has worked on her own, winning numerous awards in shows and exhibitions.
Today she teaches and enamels at home, and is an active board member of the Carolina Designer Craftsmen.
Enamel earrings by Lillian Jones