Enamelling in the Evenings

Ever wanted to learn more about enamelling? 

I'll be teaching an enamelling evening course starting next term at NMIT, and enrolments are now open. This is a new course, which will run for nine weeks on Monday evenings from 6-9pm. Classes start Monday 14 October and run until 9 December. Fees for the course are $445 (incl. $40 GST). To enroll, or for more information, contact 9269 8615 or 9269 8620 or email engineering@nmit.vic.edu.au. 

The class is open to all skill levels. No prior jewellrey or enamelling experience is needed; however basic jewellery skills such as sawing, filing and soldering will be valuable. Students with more jewellery experience will have the opportunity to incorporate more advanced metalworking skills into their enamelled designs.  

The class will be run as a series of self-paced projects. You may finish one, two, or three projects during the nine weeks, depending on your pace, your previous experience, and the level of complexity of your work. This class will be run again in term 1 of 2014, so if you want to continue working your way through additional projects, you can always come back! 

Projects are designed to be worked through in order, from introductory to more advanced projects. Project topics include: 

Project 1- Introduction to Enamelling: Enamelled Pendant

Introduction to enamelling: learning to apply enamel, wet packing/sifting, counter enamelling, firing times & temperatures.

Project 2- Cloissonne Brooch with Optional Frame

This project will require either saw piercing of a design in copper sheet or a copper disk or the use of fine silver wire-work that will be clear base coated and counter enamelled prior to final enamelling.

Project 3- Enamelling over Textures: Basse Taille Earrings

Creation of an enamelled pair of earrings with textured metal using the roller printing technique. 

Project 4- Sgraffito Pendant

Creation of a pendant using the enamelling technique sgraffito. In this project the student will saw pierce a design, or use a copper disk to make the base for the enamelled surface. This technique involves firing base coats of enamel that will then have a design scratched into its surface. The piece is then re-fired for completion with a final coat of clear flux to create a flat surface. 

Project 5- Patterns on Enamel: Stencilled / Stamped Patterns on Enamelled Buttons

Creation of enamelled buttons using a range of stencilling techniques. In this project the student will be required to saw pierce button shapes out of metal or use a pre-cut copper disk. A wire loop may then be soldered onto the back of each item prior to the enamelling process. 

Project 6- Pencil Drawing on an Enamelled Ring

In this project the students will be required to create a ring blank that will then have a white base coat of enamel fired upon it. The surface of the enamel will then be ground to a flat consistency and a graphite pencil design applied to its exterior and re-fired. 

Project 7- Miniatures: Watercolour Enamel Panel or Miniature Book

This project will explore the technique of enamelling with watercolour enamels to create a miniature images on metal. This could result in a panel that can be framed to hang, or two panels to create a miniature book. 

Project 8- Champlevé Earrings or Pendant

In this project the student will saw pierce a design out of metal and solder this metal onto a solid backing sheet of metal. The work-piece will then be enamelled into the pierced recesses.

Project 9- Press Formed Enamelled Pendant or Brooch

In this project the students will create an enamelled piece using the press forming technique. This technique enables the student to make a more 3 dimensional piece in metal prior to enamelling. 

At the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Safely use the Jewellery kiln to fire enamel onto metal surfaces.
• Understand the correct techniques in handling enamelling materials.
• Apply the O.H.&S. requirements for the use of the facilities and the enamelling materials.
• Apply a range of enamelling techniques to metal.

Hope to see you Monday nights in term 4!