Copper Enamel Jewelry 1: Exploratory Approaches and Designs

Do you want to bring your creative vision to life with basic metal manipulation and a rich palette of enamels? Copper enameling is a world of ancient techniques that meet contemporary experimental approaches of today.

In this class you'll learn:

• how to cut, file and sand basic shapes from copper sheet metal
• general metal preparation for enameling
• kiln-fired and torch-fired basic enameling approaches
• dry enameling techniques such as; sifting, lump and thread, transparent enamels over wire and hammering effects, drawing and the use of negative space over enamel, etc.
• basic jewelry finding techniques to bring your copper enamel pieces together

We'll explore cold metal manipulation as well as enamel on copper approaches using temperatures between 1300 - 1500 degrees. You'll walk away from this course with a new excitement for working with color and metal, several one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, and practical skills and tips to continue exploring these techniques on your own. No experience required. Open to ages 18 and up.  |  $250 ($200 tuition + $50 materials)  |  6 weeks

Instructor: Crystal Celeste is a mixed-race Mexican jewelry and metals artist, based in Minneapolis. Crystal has been making copper enamel and silver jewelry for 15+ years, and teaching jewelry-making workshops for 10+ years. Metal work is medicine and passion for Crystal; something she loves to share with people and learn through the process. Crystal centers her approach to teaching in relationships, growth and intuition. Follow Crystal Celeste and her creative process on Instagram @CrystalCelesteStudio.