Christine Pearson uses subtle textures, simple shapes and bold colours to create her individual pieces of wearable art. Based in Leicester, she works in Enamelled Silver and Copper.
Popular in my Etsy shop at the moment…..Enamelled copper studs. Bright and colourful, these little beauties have been posted all over the Uk in the last few weeks. No ones able to go out, but it’s lovely to imagine these being received as gifts.
Simple to make and easy to wear, I must admit they were not something I thought much about, until now. So I’m enjoying making the stud earrings.
I decided to make some Cloisonne silver earrings to match the pendents. The smaller scale means they are so much more intricate and fiddly to make! But the concentration means you can’t think of anything else, and is almost the perfect escape.
Preparing the silver involves adding a layer of flux - basically clear enamel. The silver wires are then arranged on top and fired in the kiln so they sink down into the flux, which fixes them in place. This is the most difficult part - especially if the wires move! And if you drop the pieces of wire - its tricky to find them as the wire is only 0.3mm thick.
Adding one layer of enamel, then firing it to around 810*C , then repeating this two more times is very satisfying. These thin layers are needed to give the.depth of colour . I was very pleased with the finished earrings and what started out as an experiment has ended up as a new range of jewellery to add to my Etsy shop.
Decided to get back to some enamelling after a little break. Cloisonné enamelling onto silver is an intricate process and it was great to take my mind off everything else that’s going on in the world. It needs lots of patience and concentration. I’d got the silver ready a while ago, but just couldn’t settle down to do anything with it. The enamels need to be cleaned and ground down and carefully added to the silver. If you put it on too thick - it cracks! So these two pendants had three very thin layers, fired in the kiln at 800* then ground down again.
As I write this, so many changes are happening day by day and many of the events we were looking forward to in 2020 have already been cancelled or postponed for a later date. Although this is disappointing it is completely necessary and he main thing is, we all keep as safe as we can and protect each other.
I gift wrapped and sent a few special orders by post for Mothers Day and must admit it felt very emotional, knowing the messages I wrote were to a Mum who would not see her family that day.
Next weekend should have been the Fargo Village Spring Market. A lovely event which is going to switch to being an on-line event instead! As soon as I know the final details of this I will share the website address. I am also keeping my Instagram and Facebook accounts up to date and love seeing the posts from other creatives, so follow me on there! Its so good to know we are not alone in this and are planning for the future.
The Online Spring market opens at 11am on the 28th March -
Website Link - www.fargovillage.co.uk/events/spring-makers-market-saturday/
Using colour in enamel is not like mixing paints on a pallet! Some colours are so difficult to fire while others can be very lively and unpredictable. They react to each other, to the metal they are fired on, the temperature of the kiln…..there are endless possibilities.
Then you can add beads, glass threads, silver foils….I do try to remember to make a note of the colours I use and the temperatures I fire at!
These photos show a few of my recent experiments, using layers of colour on copper sheet, fired at around 800’C between each layer.
When you have thought up a new idea for a piece of jewellery it is often a good idea to make a prototype - especially if you are going to use expensive materials!
Making a prototype or model can help you plan how the piece could be made as well as seeing what it would look like in 3D.
I’m working on some new designs for 2020 - so its time to plan what these will look like. The other day I had a go at some cloisonne on copper. Enamel colours can react to each other in different ways, so I did some layers of colour. If I’m organised I write down the firing temperature, colours, and anything else that happens along the way! This way I can re-produce the effects that I like another day, believe me I will not remember how I did anything if I don’t write it down!
So, my first prototypes in copper are done, but I will keep experimenting as it is such fun!
Often I am asked “where do you get your ideas from?” and I can honestly answer, “everywhere!”
I notice all sorts of interesting shapes, textures, and colour combinations all around. My iPhone is great for quickly capturing these images to look at later. When I sit down to design, just with pencil and paper, I look at these photos as a starting point...and then pick out the parts I want to make into jewellery designs.
The trouble is I’ve got so many ideas buzzing around in my head, I can’t draw them quick enough and then there’s deciding which colours to use!
A technique I learnt when I was employed as a designer was just draw...anything and everything! Don’t worry how you could make them or how good they are, just get those sketchy ideas onto paper. Then the next day go back to those drawings and pick out just the best ones. These will be the ones to make as a prototype.
Even when I’ve designed a piece, it can still be developed and adapted as I go along. All part of the design process.
Taking a look back to 2019, and one of the highlights for me was making a special pair of wedding rings, which held so much meaning for the couple. There were lots of conversations about the design along the way as the overall look of the rings and the inlaid (secret!) designs were so personal. I engraved into white gold before inlaying the rose gold design. They chose to solder each others rings together. I think that was a bit nerve wracking for them, but they did it brilliantly!
Making wedding rings over the years, I can honestly say that each pair has been different. It is such a privilege to help couples realise their ideas in metal.
Going to different places, meeting fellow craftspeople, talking about my work with customers, seeing other art and craftwork….this is why I love doing Craft Fairs! Yes it’s hard work and you never know quite what to expect, but I do get quite a buzz from being out there with my jewellery on display for all to see. A makers life can be quite isolating so its the perfect opportunity to meet people and get feedback on your latest pieces. I’ve met some fabulous artists and designers, and of course the biggest compliment is when someone buys a piece for themselves or someone they know!
Highlights for me in 2019 must be Attenborough Arts, The Makers Market under the railway arches in Leicester, and Fargo Village in Coventry. I’m already looking forward to whats to come in 2020!
In November I was able to spend two days at Goldsmith Centre in London. Learning how to add enamel to precious metals using the Cloisonne technique was absorbing and very enjoyable. Iit was fantastic to be able to stretch my technical abilities and learn new skills under the expert guidance of Joan Mackarell. We were shown how to prepare the silver, wash and grind the enamels and use fine silver wire to create our designs. Enamelling is such a complex process and the more that I do, the more I feel there is to explore. I can’t wait to try some new ideas I have in 2020! .
