Materials: Enamel on fine silver, s.s, 22k gold, gemstones
Dimensions: 2" x 6" x 17"
The fun aspect of creating jewelry to wear, is the individual interpretation of what would look beautiful adorning one's body. I believe what unites us is this common goal.
Photo credit: Lisa Hawthorne
Lisa Hawthorne
Coquille, OR. USA
s far back as I remember, art has always been a major influence in my life. My father was an architect and my parents collected art locally from the Detroit suburb where I grew up, and throughout their travels. It was in high school where I developed my love of metalwork, the cool feel, the malleability created with heat along with the textures, and shapes formed with a hammer.
With the desire for more color in my work and the expansiveness of color enamels offered, I began working with them. The shading that can be acquired, blending from one color to the next is incredible, I knew I had found my niche. Cloisonné is the enameling technique I use most, the term coming from the French word “cloison”, meaning an enclosed cell or area. I bend 24k gold, or fine silver ribbon and wire into designs that is then adhered on to fine silver with clear glass and fired in a kiln. Once cool, ground glass in a variety of colors is added to the piece and then re-fired at 1450 degrees for 2 minutes. Layer upon layers of glass are added with as many as 20+ firings.
I like to create pieces that follow the natural lines of the body as in my “Boa” series. enamels and gemstones are set in silver that curves around the neck and slithers down the chest in a gentle curve.
Materials: Enamel on fine silver, s.s, 22k gold, gemstones
Dimensions: 2" x 6" x 17"
The fun aspect of creating jewelry to wear, is the individual interpretation of what would look beautiful adorning one's body. I believe what unites us is this common goal.
Photo credit: Lisa Hawthorne
Lisa Hawthorne
Coquille, OR. USA
s far back as I remember, art has always been a major influence in my life. My father was an architect and my parents collected art locally from the Detroit suburb where I grew up, and throughout their travels. It was in high school where I developed my love of metalwork, the cool feel, the malleability created with heat along with the textures, and shapes formed with a hammer.
With the desire for more color in my work and the expansiveness of color enamels offered, I began working with them. The shading that can be acquired, blending from one color to the next is incredible, I knew I had found my niche. Cloisonné is the enameling technique I use most, the term coming from the French word “cloison”, meaning an enclosed cell or area. I bend 24k gold, or fine silver ribbon and wire into designs that is then adhered on to fine silver with clear glass and fired in a kiln. Once cool, ground glass in a variety of colors is added to the piece and then re-fired at 1450 degrees for 2 minutes. Layer upon layers of glass are added with as many as 20+ firings.
I like to create pieces that follow the natural lines of the body as in my “Boa” series. enamels and gemstones are set in silver that curves around the neck and slithers down the chest in a gentle curve.