This past week I made enamel rings from copper pipe. I started with an ordinary pipe cutter to cut different widths for the rings, and then formed the rings, making some concave and some convex. After that, I applied the first coat of transparent enamel.
After the first coat is fired and the edges sanded down, I apply more enamel colors.
I was quite happy with the results this time and I’ll have more to come soon.
The rings were well received at the Waterfront Invitational Art Fair in Saugatuck, Michigan last Saturday.
It’s been a week since the Covington Art Fair and I just want to express my deep appreciation for the people of Fort Wayne who came out to support the artists exhibiting in the heat.
The first day of the show was the last day of an intense heat wave. I set up early Saturday morning and it was already warm.
I was at the end of the aisle, making it easy to find my booth and get to work. I don’t usually take time to snap progress shots while I’m setting up, but this time I did.
The shoppers came early and the show was crowded by 10am sharp. People made quick decisions, bought their favorite pieces, and by noon, just a trickle of people remained. I was so relieved and so happy, despite the heat.
Rain moved in overnight and a cool breeze continued all day Sunday, with an occasional gust that worried me, but I came through it just fine. Some artists suffered damage, which is always a shame.
I am so grateful for the sales I made at Covington, and to all the nice people who stopped at my booth to shop. I’m looking forward to my next trip to Fort Wayne when I exhibit at Jefferson Pointe in September.
This is a whirlwind week where I have a chance to reflect on my booth at 3 Rivers and make new pieces for Columbia.
The highlight of 3 Rivers was receiving an award for the best use of recycled materials. Considering the caliber of talent displayed in the Artist Market, I feel honored. I use recycled materials because of the challenge it presents to my creativity, and to be recognized for this warms my heart.
My new copper enamel light switch plates received plenty of attention, and I will be posting many of them for sale in my store soon. People had many different requests, so I’ll be working on the best ways to take custom orders.
I also got to see Randy Land, which was a short walk from where I was staying during the festival. What fun colors and installations!
As I direct my attention to the Columbia Festival of the Arts starting this Friday, I’m making new wrap rings in sterling and copper.
Earrings in sterling silver, copper enamel, and freshwater pearl
These new earrings have been a long time coming, and I have them ready for Three Rivers in Pittsburgh. They’ll be available from Wednesday til Sunday this week.
My creative process for these earrings began by cutting copper sheet metal with a flower punch and die.
I hand stamped the copper flowers to make them more life-like.More of the stamping processI applied liquid form enamel followed by transparent colors and fired them multiple times.The earrings after firing and before adding the sterling earrings wires and freshwater pearls.The finished earrings, front and side view.
With the first 2 shows complete, I’m now preparing for Three Rivers Art Fair in Pittsburgh. Last weekend at Chautauqua Wawasee was lovely. Perfect weather, talented neighbors, and a friendly crowd all made for a splendid day.
My new display continues to evolve as I add new work
I’m loving the mesh panels as I get better at setting them up. They give me more versatility and space to display. I’ll have even more work to show at Three Rivers June 5-9!
Summer is just around the corner, so I’ve set up a small kiln outdoors. I was a little nervous about it at first, but then, I hit my stride and enjoyed the view.
The outlet cover on the left was flattened with a weight while still soft after firing. The one on the left cooled without weighing it down.
To my delight, the new weight I had made for me flattened all my new pieces easily. With some practice, I got the timing just right without cracking the glass.
Far left: 2222 Flax Yellow, 2 center: 2610 Sky Blue, Far right: 2110 Ivory
My latest improvisations in enamel were successful. I fired pale trans parents onto bare fire scaled copper and got some great effects. I fired them to 1500 degrees F. About 3 minutes total firing time.
Here are the finished pieces with more colors fired on top.These switch plates had a more extensive fire scale pattern, and the green has an iridescent shimmer when light hits it at certain angles.
I’ll be making more of these and trying some new colors as well.
Today, I refined my technique is the first firing of clear enamel over copper. This is a cool part of making lots of switch plates. The repetition shows me quickly what works and what doesn’t.
Switch Plates ready for firing
Yesterday, after firing counterenamel on the backs, I started the first high firing of transparent flux using the same kiln temperature. To my surprise, the result was a bit cloudy.
The outlet plate on the left was fired longer at 1500 and the one on the right was fired at 1700 for a shorter time. Both pieces were cleaned in pickle and wet sanded before sifting the flux.
I got the clearest, brightest results when I fired pieces up to 1500 degrees and then held for 30 seconds.
1500 degrees after about 30 seconds of firing time
After removing the plate from the kiln, I flatten it with a antique iron. This step is necessary because the glass warps the copper.
The switch plate is underneath the iron and the trivet that held it in the kiln is on the right
The next step for these pieces is adding an open color! It’s going to be fun 😊
My latest adventure in copper enameling, sgraffito light switch covers. I begin with a layer of clear and the follow with a layer of opaque color. I incise away the top color to reveal the luminous clear underneath.
The kiln and fired pieces cooling
Here is the opaque color before firing:
3 light switch covers after firingBefore firing, an opaque red switch cover before firingAnd after firing
To make these rings, I start out with copper pipe. I cut out cross-sections and formed the pipe to shape, convex or concave. I stamp designs into some of them.
After forming the rings, I cleaned them carefully and applied the powdered enamel to the rings.After firing in the kiln, the glass melts and fuses to the copper. After firing, the edges need to be sanded down before the next layer of glass is applied and fired.The rings look so much more beautiful after the second layer of color is applied. I gave the bands a final sanding to remove any sharp edges to finish them.
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