Special Workshop held March 2010

Cloisonne Enameling on Silver

The class was full and a good time was had by all. We plan to hold this class next season, too. And, if you are interested, we could do another workshop on copper enameling. The class description was...

Learn the ancient art of Cloisonné enameling where grains of glass are wet packed into cells created with delicate silver wires and then fused in a kiln. Add a different texture to your bead work or wear alone. A wonderful technique for those who love color.

Students will be able to make one pendant or one "jewel" that can be beaded using a peyote bezel. In additon, if you take Val's etching class before the enameling class, you can bring your piece in to be enameled (the technique is called Basse Taille enameling). And if you take Val's PMC class first, you can make a PMC piece that can be enameled instead of the normal one done by the other workshop students. Young or old, crafty or not, you can produce a wonderful piece in these 2 days.

Here are photos from the class. We worked in classroom 2 and classroom 3 where the kilns are located.

Seasonal Instructor Karen L. Cohen - Enamelist and Beader Karen has written a book, The Art of Fine Enameling, and has been enameling for over 30 years, and specializes in Cloisonne on silver. Karen teaches 11-16 year olds at an art camp (Camp Med-O-Lark) during the summer so feel comfortable that you can do it, too. Here are samples of what you can make:
Small Cloisonne set with beads Normal Class "jewel"
Cloisonne inside a PMC heart Can make instead of normal "jewel" after taking Val's PMC Class	Basse Taille Enameling Addition to normal "jewel" after taking Val's Etching Class