Enamelling with Jessica Turrell – day1

We have been extreamly fortunate to have a two day enamelling Master class with Jessica Turrell in the Small Metals workshop this week;
Jessica is a Bristol based enamellist who has come in to demostrate both experimental and traditional tecniques to the Level 5 Jewellery Design and CAA students.

I myself am gaining knowledge that I can pass on to future students as well as thoroughly enjoying being able to spend time experimenting with these new tecniques.

The possibilities are endless and some of the processes Jessica has demostrated turns traditional enamelling on its head!
Have a look at her work at www.jessicaturrell.co.uk

Jessica at work sifting the enamel into copper ready to be fired in the kiln.

Ready for the kiln

Demonstration of ‘adhesive mark-making’ using rubber stamps and water based pens
for starters….

Working with beautiful laser cut stencils is a lovely way of laying down pattern onto the metal.
The paper used is waxed which means it can be wiped down with a damp cloth to be reused.

An alternative to using the kiln to fire work is ‘Torch Firing’…Using a tripod and mesh the
enamel is heated from underneath until it fused to the surface of the metal. It’s very quick and
also enables you to see exactally whats happening during the process.

Keep an eye out for Day 2……