Inspired Enamels - Carly Wright Jewelry

Inspired by sedimentary rock formations and their

sometimes subtle, sometimes bold colorations

Carly Wright creates champlevé enamel jewelry

using a theme of abstract

windows and doors to serve as the

settings for the luscious colors.

Champlevé enameling can be a tedious process,

requiring painstaking attention to surface preparation

and firing times. This artist will make as many as

thirty firings of colored transparent glass

before the recessed areas hold sufficient enamel.

Only then can she complete the process by

oxidizing the sterling silver setting and

burnishing its surface.

The results are certainly eye catching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's alot more information
and photos to see at Carly Wright's website.
 

 



Enamel Flowers by Linda Darty

The rich color of transparent enamels fired over

polished metal is delicate and fascinating.

One of our favorite enamelists is

Linda Darty.   This artist, author, and teacher
does it all and does it wonderfully well.

Her current collection features a broad range

of recurring floral motifs, but they're

 not just simple flowers.

Her jaw-dropping silver settings are designed as 

flowers, leaves and branches which are

then matched with delicately

enameled blossoms.

She is a master of champlevé and cloisonné

enamel techniques and it is these particular pieces in her

collection that we love the most.

But sometimes it's difficult to decide which are

more beautiful - the settings or the enamel centerpieces.

As one examines her work in the light the viewer

notices different colors

begin to appear more pronounced.

It's mesmerizing to turn it in the light and

enjoy its richness and depth.

 The enameling medium is demanding and unforgiving.

Yet when done well the effects can be spectacular.

Her painterly approach to enameling

 produces irresistible gemlike surfaces, brilliant colors,

extraordinary depth and varied textures.

Luckily, for those who love her designs

 there will be an opportunity to see some of her

work in person this month.

Linda will be participating in the annual Signs of Life

contemporary jewelry art show being exhibited

at Facèré Art Jewelry Gallery.

One of her contributions to this event will be

a multi-dimensional brooch created with 

her trademark champlevé and cloisonné

enamel techniques.

It's called Santa Maria del Fiore.

Signs of Life 2011 showcases work by only nine jewelry

artists paired with nine writers in a unique

publication that celebrates both

literature and jewelry art.

This exhibition will run from

October 5 - October 26, 2011.

For more information about the

Signs of Life exhibition you can visit

Facere Art Jewelry Gallery.

And for more info about the artist
you can visit her website.

Melissa Huff Jewelry

Enamel is a remarkably versatile medium,

and there are so many different ways

that one can approach it.

In champlevé the metal is etched and the

enamel is inlaid into each recessed portion.

When fired, the effect is bold and direct,

 and that's what we love about the

art jewelry created by Melissa Huff.

There are many variables to take into

account when working with enamels,

such as stress factors between the

hardness of the glass and

the softness of the metal. Combine these

 variables with other stress factors in the 

layering of each color of enamels which

can often crack or otherwise refuse

to bond and one begins to understand

just how intricate and elaborate

the process can be.

We find Melissa’s explorations of color

range from subtle to intense and each piece

is strikingly beautiful.

We love the nuanced gradations of colors.

The combinations create specific palettes

of color that we find very satisfying.

It’s apparent that the time, focus and energy

devoted to each piece must be immense.

Her mandala series of brooches are

especially interesting. Based on

cross-sections of roots and stems

each features a multitudinous

riot of recessed cells

that unite as a cohesive whole.

This one is called Orchid Mandala.

 

 

Here's a piece called Core Mandala

and here's one called Flow Mandala

 

We enjoy how this artist can stretch

 the boundaries of jewelry

into pure art.

Each piece is geometric yet flowing,

meticulous yet relaxed.

We admire it all.

Enjoy!