We’ll be taking a break from these frigid Winter days this weekend to heat it up with a Torch Fire Enamel workshop.

Enamel is a form of powdered glass that fuses to another material, sometimes metal at around 1600 F. The ancient Egyptians used enamels to stone objects, pottery and jewelry. In jewelry and other artworks they used enamels vibrant colors to represent a less expensive form of precious gemstones.

This weekend we will be fusing enamel to copper using the heat of acetylene torches. The most common method of fusing enamel is in a kiln (like an oven) which evenly heats your piece the the desired temperature. While using a torch, it’s a great way to see the different stages of enamel fusing to the metal – sugar coating, orange peel, fully fused, and over fire. The different pigments add a great effect to jewelry pieces by adding color and representing moods. Playing around with firing times and using the enamel as a surface pattern can also achieve wonderful textures and depth to your piece.

Sugar coat enemaled pendant by artist Emilie Shapiro, instructor

Sugar coat pendant by artists Emilie Shapiro, instructor

orange peel enameled rings by artists Emilie Shapiro, instructor

overfired enameled cuff by artists Emilie Shapiro, instructor

Join us this weekend for the Torch Fire Enamel Workshop | Feb 25 + 26 | 11am – 5:30pm | $225 materials included