108 . . . Cloisonné Commission Done!
Big Lazy – Just Plain Scared
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After spending seven straight hours in the studio last Tuesday night, I was able to finish the art nouveau inspired cloisonné pendant! I am pretty excited that 1. nothing horrible went wrong in those seven hours (trying to stay calm and not rushing helped) and 2. I am really happy with the piece . . . so much so that I don’t really want to sell it.
To see the previous posts showing the original sketches and the first steps, check these links:
105 . . . Two Years and a Commission
107 . . . Cloisonné Commission II
Below I have compiled some photos of the process. I didn’t take photos of every single step because that would be incredibly boring (since it involves building up thin layer after thin layer after thin layer . . .), but I tried to show a variety of steps.
1. Put the thinner inside wires in place. These were a challenge and took up a good bit of time.
2. First layers of yellow and green (post firing)
3. Adding some gray to the edges (pre firing)
4. In the kiln.
(Side note: The previous week I had aluminum on the trivet in the kiln and managed to push it so it touched those red hot 1500 degree coils and I got a serious zap through my entire body. Lesson learned.)
5. I love the way enamels look right when they come out of the kiln, too bad they don’t stay that way. (post firing)
6. I made little paper patterns to protect my yellow areas from the gray enamel (pre firing)
7. After removing the paper patterns (pre firing)
8. Added in the pink/yellow for the flower. At this point I liked my colors as they were. (post firing)
9. Once I got the coloring I wanted (8), I filled in the empty spaces with N4, a clear enamel (pre firing)
10. After putting on enough N4 to build up the enamel to the top of the wires, I stoned the hell out of this piece. Here it is ready to go in for it’s last firing (pre firing)
My messy space
Holy crap that looks awesome!!
I like seeing this entire process! Very neat!
I actually love how it looks in step 6 where you have paper (and doesn’t look like paper) cut outs on top!!!! Looks like metal – perhaps an idea for future projects!
Absolutely gorgeous! Whoever gets this is one lucky girl!
Gorgeous, Ramune. Love seeing the whole process. Great work all around.
ohhhhh…it’s so beautiful!
omg…this is BEAUTIFUL. ummmm…i might want a piece now!
simply amazing work. your projects are an inspiration.
Thanks all for the nice comments!
Can I now reveal that I was the very lucky recipient of this stunning piece? I am still reeling from it. Diamond engagement ring aside (which also served as an inspiration for this commission), it’s the most beautiful piece of jewelry I’ve ever received. I’ll treasure it always. And to think, all I had to do was give birth to a baby to be worthy! I hope I can blame it on sleep deprivation (thanks, also, to the baby), but I just can find the poetry to match the beauty of the piece. All I can say is that I feel really honored to have it, and grateful to you, and of course, my doting husband. Thank you. I really, really love it.
I’m so glad you love it! Your engagement ring is so unique and fantastic, I am honored this pendant will be in it’s presence.
Enjoy!