Now that I have a kiln, I am exploring ways that I can use it. Enameling is a craft I have long admired, but not really considered to be something I could do myself. I am fortunate to have access to some great classes through the Adult Ed program in Santa Barbara, and this term I decided to give enameling a try.
My kiln is optimized for glass fusing, but with a little ingenuity on Don's part we have been able to make it very workable for enameling as well. Good thing; I'd have a hard time justifying a second kiln.
I'm a little over halfway through the session of 8 classes. These are the projects I've made so far.
Technique: Swirling
For our first project, we fired the enamel with torches, so we could see what happened as it went through the different stages of fusing. After getting two coats of the base layer on, we laid lumps and strings of enamel on top, heated them, and swirled them with a metal probe. I think it takes practice to create attractive designs this way. Mine is hardly lovely, but it was good as a learning piece.
Technique: Stenciling
For the second assignment, we went through the full process of applying counterenamel on the back (2 coats) then two layers of the base color on the front. The stencil technique itself is surprisingly simple. You cut the stencils out of plain paper, and dip them in water to adhere them to the base. Then, sift your colored enamel over the stencil, then fire for a slightly short cycle. Repeat for your next color(s), then when you are done put it in for a standard 2 minutes to fuse fully.
This is my own design, derived from a photo I took of a dogwood, much like the design I used for my glass fusing experiment.
Technique: Cloisonne
Now this is the good stuff - what many people think of when they hear enameling mentioned. You get to bend fine wires into intricate shapes, meticulously place them on the base, and then painstakingly fill the cells with color. Right up my alley. Here's my piece after last week's class. There's silver foil over the base, and the wires are fused into a clear layer of enamel on top of that. Next to the piece is the pattern I used, colored in to test out an idea for a color scheme.
And here's where this piece is at after last night's class. This is with three layers of each color applied. I'll have to do at least a couple more to get the cells completely full. I'm really enjoying this technique! Looking forward to working more with this and the stenciling in my own kiln.
Oh, and is anyone surprised that I used a paisley as my first design?
