Book Review: The Art of Enameling by Linda Darty

I received "The Art of Enameling: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration" by Linda Darty last year and pulled it out last night in preparation for firing up my new kiln. My husband is also interested in working on a couple of projects, but has no experience with enameling, so we looked it over together. It seemed every time he asked a question, Darty had it answered in the next section.

The Art of Enameling is chock full of images: instructional, historical, and inspirational. The top of many pages include pictures of contemporary works that supplement the instructional text nicely and the "Historical Highlights" are welcome interruptions. Instructions for beginners are clear, concise and accompanied with helpful pictures that cover topics such as types of enamels, preparing a kiln, selecting metal, applying enamel, firing enamel and more.

In addition to the more well known enameling techniques such as sifting, Cloisonne and Champleve, Darty also includes several methods for experimentation including Raku, Sgraffito, foldforming, and Plique-a-jour. For those enamelists that might need a more structured layout or a review on fabrication/setting enamels, the book also includes several start to finish projects in the back.

I can't wait to get the kiln going today and the experimentation started!

Featured Artists: 2Roses

I met John and Corliss of 2Roses when I was lucky enough to become a member of Etsy Metal earlier this year. 2Roses is constantly producing stunning jewelry that often incorporates surprising materials, experimentation, and humor. Not only do they know their stuff when it comes to creating art objects, they always seem to make the time to offer up a little perspective when it comes to business in the art world, which is great because sometimes I take things a bit too seriously. Here are some of my favorites from their Etsy Metal featured member Q&A:

What pieces are you most proud of?

We don’t think of our work in that way. Each piece is an expression, an idea, which takes on a life of its own. Some are humorous, others serious, or political, or deeply personal. Even so, the pieces are imbued with different meanings by the people who own them. We recognize that we are not in control of how our pieces evolve once they arrive in the bigger world. We also recognize that ideas have consequences, and that is the power of art.

What direction do you see your work going in next? 

We continue to explore and experiment within the framework of functional ornament. The real medium that we work with is the intangible space between the wearer and observer of our work.  

Do you collect anything? If so, do you display your collections?

We collect everything. We are a big one-way sieve passing through the universe. 

What is your most prized possession?

Each other.

 Read the complete interview at the Etsy Metal blog.

EM Project Runway Challenge: Can't We All Just Get Along

 This week for the Etsy Metal Project Runway Challenge we were asked to incorporate pattern and texture in our pieces. I've always been interested in using repetition of form to create texture and depth, so this week was a lot of fun.

Copper Necklace

The Project Runway Challenge:
The designers were divided into two groups of five. They were given the opportunity to create their own unique textiles and asked to create a cohesive collection.

For Our Etsy Metal Translation:
Since this challenge was about pattern and textile, our challenge is to incorporate those into a piece. Do it however you like, etching, roller printing, drawing, or just fabricate a piece that forms a pattern or texture. Make it work!

Copper Necklace