From Laser Cutting to Enamel

First I came across this shape from playing around with some broken laser cut pieces....

......and then I pierced it in copper and popped a bit of enamel on it.

With the first layer of flux, I completely forgot I had it in the kiln and so it got a little over cooked. Luckily I loved the green red that occurred as a result. It's a shame that I couldn't leave it like this because it was too fragile.

However, if it wasn't for the overcooking I wouldn't have gotten this lovely translucent pink and green surface with further layers. I love happy accidents!! 

Folded Laser Cut Thingy

Mock up to be pierced in metal and enamelled. I didn't mean for it to look like a Christmas decoration, but it's sort of pretty anyway...

Enamelling

Just some sifted stencil work I did this afternoon.      

A Couple More Enamelled Bits .....

My Favourite Enamelled Sample

It's only a humble little copper sample but its MY copper sample and I'm going to keep it forever and ever!!

Wire was wrapped around a blank and manipulated with pliers to get the tension right before putting it through the roller. I could then treat it like a cloisonné piece and put enamel within the walls that the wire created. After firing it was then ground back to reveal the copper wire again. I could have fired and pickled it once more to get the gloss back but I prefer it matt. The combination of trapped air and over firing give little rusty coloured bubbles around the wire, and discolours the white opaque enamel to give green edging. to a professional enameller I would assume that these characteristics would be considered mistakes, but to me they are what makes the piece beautiful.  

Sketchbook

These books are the work towards the Necklace final samples that I posted up not so long ago.

http://steffiglaves.blogspot.com/2012/03/necklace-marquettes-and-samples.html

laser cut cover with veneer inlay, acetate was glues to the back to give a bit more strength. this one is larger than A3

artist research book, 21cm square

For this project I went to Bradgate Park, Leicester, nicked a few pieces of wood and took LOADS of pictures of barks and knots in trees. These images became the basis of my drawings and final idea.

ENAMELLED COPPERY THINGS!!!!!!

I managed the enamel my copper pieces and some of them look OK!!!!

I was too scared to do anything colourful to the largest piece so it just has flux on it for now. I might do more to it later...

Necklace Marquettes and Samples

 Laser cut wood veneer each colour represents a different material, enamelled copper, wood veneer and silver.

 Etched nickel, wood veneer and enamelled copper

These are the final samples for the project just gone. Although I have learned a lot about enamelling, which is possibly one of my favourite processes, it hasn't exactly been one of my favourite assignments. I thought that I was going to do jewellery as part of the final exhibition but one thing that I have found out about myself is that I'm too commercially inclined when it comes to body adornment, and I would find it difficult to get beyond that for my final project.  I think I will keep it as a hobby from now on.....

Copper pieces for Enamelling

First steps towards final exhibition piece. I don't know if an enamelled surface would suit these pieces so thought I'd better take pictures before it potentially goes horribly wrong. I can't work out whether I prefer the samples or the shadows they make.

FUNDRAISING BEGINS!!! Valentines Day

Thank You to everyone who gave in to our pestering and bought cakes for the 2nd year Design Crafts Exhibition. Expect more posts to do with fundraising antics soon.