Author: Kristin

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Summerfair in Cincinnati

clocks on display in my booth at Summerfair

Just as I started to load up for this show, I noticed an ugly bulge in my tire side wall. Ugh. Then, the weather forecast shifted, and the first day was going to be very wet. Though I was able to arrange for alternate transportation, I missed the Thursday setup with fair weather. I was stuck setting up Friday morning in the rain. At least it wasn’t windy. The rain was steady, and I got thoroughly soaked. However, the rest of the weekend was beautiful. The patrons gave me and my work a warm welcome, and that made everything worthwhile.

Saturday was too busy to take photos, but I did snap a few on Sunday. I’ve just started making enamel clocks, and they did get quite a bit of attention.

And a few more switch plates sold over the weekend.

copper switch plate with kiln fired glass enamel color

I’m glad to be back in my studio and garden, working on new lines of jewelry and artwork!

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The Wyoming Art Show

A side view of my booth at the Wyoming Art Show

This was a great way to kick off the 2025 Art Fair season. The Wyoming Art Show is held in a beautiful neighborhood of Victorian homes in Cincinnati, the perfect setting for an art fair, and it’s organized by community volunteers. It’s a long-running annual event and well-supported by local residents. The crowd was great.

The Wyoming Art Show street view

I was apprehensive in preparing. With all the uncertainty, I didn’t know what to make for people. I made switch plates, ornaments, and earrings. Some of these will show up in my shop here next month after my next show, again in Cincinnati, Summerfair. It’s only 11 days away. After Wyoming, I feel much better about setting up my booth and not forgetting anything important, such as price tags and extra ratchet straps. I will definitely have those next time!

a view of my booth a the Wyoming Art Show

The crowd was upbeat and pleasant. I can’t remember a nicer group of shoppers. I am grateful for all the sales I made! I’ve included pictures of a few pieces that sold to help me remember what to make for next year, if the lovely people of Wyoming choose to have me back!

copper enamel dimmer switch
copper enamel ornament
copper ring with kiln fired glass enamel color
hammered copper enamel bangle, blue, with sterling silver
hammered copper enamel bangle bracelet

I’m going to try to keep up with this exercise for my artistic growth. I feel so lucky to have exhibited with many talented artists and talked to so many patrons. I appreciate every person who bought from me! Thank you all!

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Copper Enamel Ornaments: How I Make Them

I began the ornaments by cutting them out of my stash of reclaimed roofing copper. I like to create freeform oval shapes. For some, I drilled holes, and for others, I used a punch and die to cut the holes for hanging the ornaments.

The shape was refined later, since the edges need to be sanded after each firing. After cutting, I annealed them in the kiln to remove grease, oil and residue before cleaning them in a corrosive salt solution.

After the copper is clean, I fired layers of transparent enamel on the front and back. I followed that with a layer of opaque enamel to provide a contrast to the reflective metal shining through the first layer of transparent glass. I often scratch through the enamel before firing. In the image below, the ornament on the right is before firing, the one on the right is after firing. Both pieces are mounted on kiln furniture that allows the glass to melt freely on both sides of the ornaments.

After the opaque layer, I’ll add another layer of transparent color. And on top of that, I use separation enamel that causes the colors to mix during the final firing.

You can see some of the finished ornaments on this page:

https://kristinellis.com/product-category/copper-enamel-objets-dart

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Making enamel rings for Waterfront Invitational

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.

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Covington Art Fair in Fort Wayne, Indiana

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.

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Home from Lakefest

Hammered sterling silver dangle earrings

Lakefest was beautiful. The staff and volunteers were very supportive and made the show a pleasure to do.

I took a stroll around Sunday morning before opening my booth. It was the perfect place for an art fair. Ample parking in a garage, a bottle filling station for water, and plenty of shade trees made the experience for shoppers and exhibitors alike.

I had lots of interest in my work and talked with so many interesting people. I’m happy I exhibited, but that drive was just too long to do again.

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From an Award in Pittsburgh to Columbia Festival of the Arts in Maryland

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.

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New enamel flower earrings for Three Rivers Art Fair

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 process
I 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.

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Between Lake Wawasee and Three Rivers

A moment to catch a photo at Wawasee

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!