December 2021 Class - Enamel Pendant in Madison

I had taken a class with the Wheelhouse before, and when Tracy wanted to try another one, I was up for it immediately! This time, we were going to try enameling. I had never done it before and was eager to learn what it is all about.

Since the studio is in the UW Madison Memorial Union, I decided to arrive early and have dinner in the Rathskeller. Its quite a bit different than when I want to school there – at that time, it was primarily a beer hall. Now, there is a bit more food, and a bit lighter, and a lot less smoke. The burger was great!

In class, we were given basic instructions and the materials to use. The instructor had several finished pieces to use for inspiration, but we were not tied to any particular design. Never having done enameling, I was completely unaware on how it worked.

Basically, you take a copper form, clean it appropriately and use it as a base to put the enamel on. The enamel comes in a powder form, and you sift one color at a time onto the form. Once the enamel I on the form, you stick it into the kiln for a few minutes until it is melted to your liking. Then, you put on your design in enamel powder and melt that. You keep doing that until your design is done.

Tracy did a design that was a nod to her sons’ hockey team, and it worked well! I tried to make my bird with a “starry night” background – which was just waaaaaay too detailed for this medium. I don’t particularly like how the finished product looked, but I learned a lot.

I have since bought some enamel powder, some copper forms, and a sifter. Tracy has a kiln that has yet to be used, so we are both looking forward to making some more enameled things.

A few of the key take away from the session:

1. The kiln is SUPER hot! Make SURE you are using gloves, and no one is nearby when you open the kiln and move your pieces.

2. Simplicity is good – the pendants that people made that were simple looked nice.

3. Always take the opportunity to eat at the Rathskeller and have a burger. There are tater tots as a side!