Here are my first four little buildings. I am calling them places for dreams. These four are made using traditional silver smithing techniques – texturing the silver sheet, cutting out shapes and soldering them together before altering textures and polishing them. I have had a lot of pleasure constructing these little silver charms and will continue to make more work in this collection through the summer. If you would like to learn to make your own piece of jewellery, using traditional methods or metal clay, then please contact me. I will be taking part in North Yorkshire Open Studios from the 9th June 2012, when these pieces and other work will be for sale. Let me know if you would like a leaflet or more information.
Category Archives: introduction to enamelling
Guild of Enamellers annual conference
I have just turned home from an exciting weekend at the Guild of Enamellers annual conference which this year was held at Reaseheath College near Nantwich in Cheshire. This is always a fantastic event but this year was particularly enjoyable. There were quite a few members attending for the first time and it is encouraging to see new faces and share their enthusiasm. The venue was great and staff very helpful and there was a huge range of very skilfully made work. I wish I had remembered to photograph the display earlier, as by the time I thought about it some of the work had been packed away!
Saturday was taken up by workshops and as one of the scheduled tutors had been taken I’ll shortly before conference I acted as stand in for a small group who did some cells and textures in art clay silver. Although we didn’t get to enamel I hope they were pleased and interested enough to try metal clay again.
Here are their pieces in the end of day display. I am still a bit sorry to have missed Dale Devereux Barkers class but thanks to my group for their enthusiasm, I was honoured to share some of my techniques with you all.
One of my personal highlights was when David Bainbridge of Milton Bridge Ceramic Colours Ltd was awarded Honorary Membership of the Guild, recognising his hard work in the EU consultation process relating to the restriction of lead in jewellery. He was completely surprised! As always we had wonderful speakers; inspiring workshops and shared loads of ideas and it is great to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. Good luck to the new Chair, Jane Ball and I am already looking forward to the next event.
Enamelling classes
I have been busy teaching for the past couple of days and doing little bits of work on my own pendant in between.
Yesterday Stephi was working in a corner of the studio, busy enamelling intricately cut out copper shapes and happy to be able to get on with her own work. While she was doing that I had Moira making her first little pieces of cloisonné enamel on silver.
Here they are both working away. Moira had done a little bit of enamelling on copper before but yesterday she did very intricate shapes in fine silver wire before learning to wet lay enamel into them, firing each layer before finally stoning the piece smooth and re-firing it.
This was very successful for a first attempt at cloisonné. To see Stephi’s work you need to pop over to her blog and follow her creative adventures.
Today June has been here doing experiments with enamel on steel and copper. I introduced her to the technique of using wet process enamel to coat both sides of her metal in one firing.
Here she is dipping and tilting her piece to make the liquid enamel settle evenly over the surface of the cleaned metal. She has had a very busy day and hopefully learned a few different techniques for developing her patterns and textures and I look forward to seeing her finished work later in the summer.
I have had a lovely couple of days. It is very rewarding teaching and exploring ideas with other creative people. Tomorrow I will be packing ready to set off to the Guild of Enamellers annual conference, always a highlight of year. I need to finish off my pendant and makes a couple of samples, then sort out and pack my tools and equipment, ready to set off bright and early on Friday morning.
Posted in Art clay silver, cloisonne enamel, courses, Design, enamel, Enamel jewellery, enamel on silver, Enamel silver jewellery, introduction to enamelling, Metal clay, Metal clay classes, Silver and enamel jewellery, workshops, Yorkshire
Tagged art clay silver classes, enamel Jewellery, enamelled leaf pendant, enamelled silver jewellery, jewellery making, Tree frog
Bright enamel colours
I have fired and prepared the silver for the pendant I have been working on today. I then polished it and applied a few fine silver wires to create cells to enamel into. The piece was then refired to attach the wires and polished again. It is now sitting on the bench waiting to be enamelled.
The vitreous enamels have all been ground and washed ready to use and I have done a small test of all of the colours I intend to use
I love the vivid possibilities of enamel on silver jewellery.
I will be teaching enamelling later this week and also have classes scheduled for May. Full details can be found in an earlier post or on the website
Please email to book your place or for further information.
Posted in Art clay silver, cloisonne enamel, Design, enamel, Enamel jewellery, enamel on silver, Enamel silver jewellery, introduction to enamelling, Metal clay, Metal clay classes, Silver and enamel jewellery, workshops, Yorkshire
Tagged enamel Jewellery, enamel on metal clay, enamelled silver, silver enamel jewellery, vitreous enamel
A tiny frog
I am making it as part of a larger pendant in Art Clay silver. Here are some of the tiny pieces at an early stage, before I began to assemble the frog. It will be peeping over the edge of a leaf in the final piece.
If you would like to design and make your own unique piece of jewellery I teach jewellery making in many different media here in my studio in Yorkshire. Courses include traditional silver jewellery making, silver clay, enamelling, metal clay, bead making and jewellery using plastics. For more information see my website or email
Posted in Art clay silver, courses, Design, drawing, enamel, Enamel jewellery, enamel on silver, Enamel silver jewellery, introduction to enamelling, Metal clay classes, Silver and enamel jewellery, silver jewellery, workshops, Yorkshire
Tagged art clay silver, Enamel, enamel Jewellery, Enamel on silver jewellery, metal clay, silver, silver enamel jewellery, Tree frog
Not much change there then!
I was searching the Internet for something enamel related and came across an old article from 2008. It really made me smile to read it. I think my jewellery making skills have improved substantially since then. Although I gave up working as a University tutor I didn’t really give up teaching and now run jewellery making and enamelling classes in my own studio. I still like to experiment with non-traditional materials in jewellery making from time to time too.
Included in this montage are a ring made in felted wool and a necklace of white flowers made a few years ago from the very everyday plastic milk carton.
I have all kinds of interesting classes here this year, look here for more information or to book email
Posted in Art clay silver, cloisonne enamel, courses, Design, drawing, Enamel jewellery, enamel on silver, Enamel silver jewellery, introduction to enamelling, Metal clay classes, Silver and enamel jewellery, silver jewellery, workshops, Yorkshire
Tagged aluminium jewellery, Enamel, enamel on silver, Jewellery, silver jewellery making in Yorkshire
Bright turquoise enamel
Setting up my new display cabinet in the studio has given me an opportunity to review some of my work.
This spot twist pendant is vitreous enamel on silver and in a beautiful summer shade of turquoise blue. The reverse of the pendant is textured and has gold highlights using the tradition Korean technique of Keum Boo. The piece is part of a range of jewellery with a twist and I can make this using a variety of enamel colours. The twist means that the pendant moves around while you are wearing it, sometimes giving a glimpse of the other surface. It creates quite an animated piece of jewellery, fun to wear. If you reverse it then the coloured spots are almost hidden from view.
If you are interested in learning to make your own unique piece of jewellery then email me to book a place on one of my courses. More information about enamelling, metal clay, art clay silver or PMC classes can be found here
I love the variety of effects that can be created using enamels on silver. Here are two pieces I made when I first started using Art Clay Silver and had just begun to experiment creating textured pieces to enamel onto. They date from around 2006. This type of piece is easily created in a beginners enamelling workshop and can be completed and ready to wear within a day.
The right hand pendant is made by taking a small mould from a limpet shell and then pressing the silver clay into the mould so that it picks up the wonderful textures. These raised areas of texture create cells to enamel into and offer the enamel a bit of protection while the pendant is being worn. The patterns of nature are a beautiful thing.
Posted in Art clay silver, courses, Design, enamel, Enamel jewellery, enamel on silver, Enamel silver jewellery, introduction to enamelling, Metal clay classes, PMC, Silver and enamel jewellery, silver jewellery, workshops, Yorkshire
Tagged Enamel, enamel Jewellery, mould making, sea shells, silver Jewellery, summer colours, textures for enamel, Turquoise
Jewellery making classes
I have had a lovely day ‘tweaking’ my main jewellery display in the studio. This really is the final stage of my refurbishment and the studio is looking lovely, all the tools and equipment are in place ready for classes.
For details of my class schedule go to my website and email to book a place.
I have made a few more large holed beads and am planning a series of brightly coloured beads for summer bracelets. After annealing in the kiln these will be ‘cored’ using my wonderful Mango Beadliner Press and will be part of a new collection of work for North Yorkshire Open Studios. My studio will be open for that event on 9th, 10th and 11th June and 16th and 17th June (and by appointment during the week in between) and I am excited about being part of this event once again.
The weather here has been unusually mild so I have taken my coffee breaks sitting in the garden (astonishing for March). My flowering cherry tree is just coming into leaf although it has been flowering almost continuously since last December. It is looking particularly beautiful at the moment so I think it must be time to make some flower inspired work!
Ready to go
At last the studio is ready for classes, initially just for small groups and individual workshops in art clay silver, metal clay, jewellery making and enamelling. All the building work was completed a few weeks ago and now it has been decorated and looks fantastic. I have ordered new display cabinets, another large work table and one or two other things, just to add the finishing touches but my first class is tomorrow, so today I have been tidying up and getting ready.
This is the view from just inside the door looking down the length of the room.
The studio is fully equipped with driers, kilns and a wide selection of jewellery making tools as well as a good ventilation system, a dedicated hearth for soldering and torch for lampwork glass bead making.
I am now taking bookings for the following classes -
Sunday 25th March 2012 Prong settings for beach glass £140
Friday 30th March 2012 Hollow beads in metal clay £140
Wednesday 25th April 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £125
Friday 27th April 2012 Silver clay ring making £140
Saturday 28th April 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £125
Sunday 29th April 2012 Silver clay ring making £140
Monday 30th April 2012 Hollow beads in metal clay £140
Saturday 5th May 2012 Enamelling £140
Sunday 6th May 2012 Enamelling £140
Wednesday 9th May 2012 Enamelling on art clay silver £140
Thursday 10th May 2012 Enamelling £140
Tuesday 29th May to Friday 1st June 2012 Colour and metal clay £540 (or £140 for individual days) – Four days designing and making colourful jewellery including adding patina, coloured pencil, resin and an introduction to enamel
Saturday 2nd June 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £125
Special open day Wednesday 13th June 2012 – Art Clay demonstrations (drop in session)
**Stop Press
**Saturday and Sunday 7th and 8th July 2012 Special Two Day Enamelling workshop with Guest Tutor Tilly Wilkinson Images into Enamel £150 per person for the two day class, includes some materials – see website for more details.
This class is the first weekend of the Guild of Enamellers Exhibition at the Pannett Art Gallery in Whitby – book early, there are limited places for what will be an exciting class!
**Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th August Special Two Day Enamelling workshop
details to follow or email Lynne
Saturday 8th September 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £125
(other dates by arrangement)
Art Clay Level 1 certification £580
Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th March 2012, Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st April 2012
Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th August, Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd September 2012
This is a four day course following the syllabus set by the Aida Corporation (manufacturers of Art Clay Silver)
Seven projects are made over the four day period, including rings, earrings, pendants and a brooch. The course fee includes the materials to make the seven projects and the use of tools and equipment. The projects are assessed and if completed successfully an application for the certificate will be made to the Art Clay UK Guild. If any of the projects are unsuccessful then arrangements can be made to ‘remake’ them at additional cost to the student.
Master Classes
Plique a jour enamel in art clay silver with Lynne Glazzard £300
Saturday 28th July and Sunday 29th July 2012, a two day workshop. On the first day you will design and make silver earrings, learning the basic principles of design for plique a jour enamel and firing and finishing them ready for the second day. On day two you will learn to prepare the enamel and to apply it, firing and gradually building up the cells until they are filled. You will then give the pieces a final finish and add the findings ready to wear. The course includes small amounts of three enamel colours, enough to complete the project.
Cloisonné enamel on art clay silver with Lynne Glazzard £280
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st October 2012, a two day workshop. On the first day you will design and make a silver pendant, learning about design for enamel.
On the second day you will prepare and apply wire patterns followed by thin layers of enamel, firing each layer in turn. You will then learn methods for finishing the piece to a high standard. The course includes small amounts of enamel, enough to complete the project.
Glass and art clay silver combination beads with Lynne Glazzard £280
Thursday 8th and Friday 9th November 2012 – two day workshop. On the first day you will learn to apply a variety of art clay silver products to the surface of glass beads before firing and annealing them in the kiln. On day two you will make some art clay silver beads to complement the glass beads before finishing them all to a high standard. Some glass beads are included in the course fee but not the art clay silver. A detailed materials list will be supplied in advance but you will need approximately 20g Art Clay 650; 10g Syringe type, Art Clay Silver Overlay paste
Other dates by arrangement. Booking essential
Email Lynne to book
Terms and conditions 50% deposit required to confirm a place, balance payable by cheque or cash 7 days prior to the first day of the class.
We require 7 days notice of cancellation so that we can resell the workshop place.
In the event of cancellation more than 7 days before the class the deposit can be carried over to another mutually convenient date.
Cancellation by the student less than 7 days prior to a workshop will result in forfeit of your deposit and course fee. Each class has a maximum number of places available and a minimum number before it can run. If we have to cancel a workshop we will give as much notice as possible and a place will be offered for an alternative workshop at a future date. Refunds will be given in the event of tutor illness or insufficient numbers booked for a workshop.
We reserve the rights to vary these terms and conditions at any time.
The studio is based in the beautiful village of Glaisdale approximately 12 miles from Whitby on the North Yorkshire Moors.
Studio stuff
I have spent a bit of time today sorting things into cupboards in my new studio. It is going to take me a few days to unpack all the boxes of tools and find new homes for things and hopefully everything will have its place. Some things can’t go back until it has all be painted but I will at least be able to work within a few days. I am keen to get the torch set up and get on with some lamp work beads.
My hearth and lamp work area are right down the far end with my new ventilation. Obviously the radio will have to find a proper home as at the moment it is perched on top of the kiln, fixing the two big kiln controllers is one of the jobs on the list, hopefully for tomorrow.
The electrician still has a couple of small jobs to do, including installing the outside light (no street lights here) and the ladder is his. The fire is lit and it seems really cosy with all the new insulation even though it is now heating a much bigger space. It does seem a huge space but I haven’t got the tables and chairs in yet. I am loving the space and can’t wait to get everything finished and sorted out.
Posted in Art clay silver, cloisonne enamel, courses, Design, enamel, Enamel jewellery, enamel on silver, Enamel silver jewellery, introduction to enamelling, Metal clay, Metal clay classes, Silver and enamel jewellery, silver jewellery, workshops, Yorkshire
Tagged art clay silver, enamel Jewellery, enamel silver jewellery, enamelling, jewellery making, learn to enamel, workshops, Yorkshire
