During this workshop you will be introduced to several enameling techniques including dry sift, liquid painting and wet pack and will create several colourful pieces of jewellery by the end of class!

This workshop is suitable for beginners. No experience necessary. If you have some familiarity with handling and filing metal or jewellery making, that would be useful but not essential.

In this 2-day workshop, you will:

Be introduced to enameling for jewellery
Discover simple techniques to get started
Learn about the equipment and set up options including kiln and torch-firing
Learn how to prepare your base metal, including annealing and doming
Learn how to apply enamel powders and the 3 critical stages of firing
Apply design and finishing techniques to achieve a range of luscious effects
Discover specialty enamel techniques including crackle and liquid enamels and the effects you can achieve
Learn how to finish your jewellery pieces so they are ready to wear.

A materials cost of $30 to cover your personal kit of metal and use of a wide range of enamels is payable on Saturday morning directly to Michelle.

Student numbers are limited to 6.

Program Outline:

Saturday 28 August 2021

10am start
Intro to basic enameling concepts and equipment we will be using, including kiln and torch-firing set up
Morning: Demonstration of dry sift techniques, surface design applications e.g. glass beads, thread, chunks as well as sgraffito and stencilling for effects
Design your first jewellery piece
Prepare your base metal - cut, anneal and dome
Select enamel colours and apply to your piece using dry sifters
Fire counter enamels and front design layers
Afternoon: Demonstrations of torch-firing techniques, use of specialty enamels e.g. crackle and liquid enamels
Complete the enameling your first jewellery piece and finish with jumprings/hoops/necklace attachment so it's ready to wear home!
3pm finish

Sunday 29 August 2021

10am start
Design your next jewellery ideas - pendants, earrings - from concepts and techniques presented
Making time - preparing base metals, enameling, exploring the addition of different design features
Discussion of enameling and troubleshooting firing problems
Complete your Day 2 jewellery pieces and finish with jumprings/hoops/necklace attachment so they're ready to wear home!
3pm finish

You can expect to make 3 or 4 pieces of jewellery to finished stage, depending on your level of experience and confidence.

What Michelle will provide:

Demonstrations and tuition in the range of enameling techniques for jewellery - what it is, how you can do it at home simply and at low cost
A comprehensive handout with the key information that will be covered (you’re also encouraged to take your own notes and document the making of your designs for future reference)
All metalworking and firing equipment you will need to undertake the class
Instruction on the tools and materials required to start enameling in a home studio.

What to bring:

note pad and pen and smart phone for photographing and documenting the process
your lunch (local deli also available for hot and cold meals only 5 mins walk away from the studio)
a coffee mug
closed in shoes and hair tie for long hair
your $30 cash for workshop metals, findings (e.g. sterling silver jumprings and hoops for earrings, leather necklaces for pendants) and consumable materials (e.g. enamel powders, beads, threads).

Your tutor:

Michelle Walker is a visual artist, creativity coach and author. Michelle graduated from her Fine Art degree and has been making jewellery for 18 years. A local to the Nimbin area, Michelle converted the milking bales on her farm into her studio 13 years ago and has been silversmithing, enameling and painting there since.

Venue:

We are being hosted by Kylie Gartside (https://www.instagram.com/kyli...) at The Outpost in Lismore. It is a beautiful space with all the jewellery making equipment we might need.

Parking:

Plenty of free parking is available outside our workshop venue along Wyrallah Road.