I had the opportunity to try out some new enamelling techniques today working at the Bristol School of Art on Queens Road with the help of Matt Benton. I started by producing a couple of 4cm x 2.5cm samples. The first one, pictured below, layered clear flux with blue-white powder sifted through a stencil before adding a layer of clear powder. I under-fired the blue-white which created a cracked effect when re-fired. A final oval of clear powder was added and under-fired to create a contrast of mat and shiny textures to the surface. My friend and jeweller, Maggie Duncan, later cut the shape out using a jewellery saw (thank you!).
I then got my hands on a heavy duty hole punch which could cut through the copper plate (with some added force). I found it satisfying to create such a clean cut having explored etching through copper plate a few months back and finding it less precise. I placed the cut discs onto the original plate and re-heated the enamel to attach them.
A further experiment with under-firing the enamel created the texture below.
I played with threading ribbon through the series of holes and found the softness of the material against the hard surface of the enamel a satisfying quality of textures. This mixed with the cut out and relief discs make for a very tactile piece and would lend itself to jewellery.
