It All Payed Off!

All the production work I've done for the past month really payed off this weekend!  I participated in three lovely shows and they all went swimmingly.  I am also dropping of inventory to two stores this coming week.  I am so excited to get back to creating in the next months.  Keep Creating :)

Production is a Killer

Tis the season. . . to crank out work! Yes, my friends it is the artists most dreaded time of year, production time.  I shouldn't complain too much, it pays the bills.  But, it's far more fun to be creative :) I am working toward my last weekend of shows and then I have a long break until spring.  I am looking forward to some quality time in my studio and playing with my kiln.  Speaking of which, I went to the Carolina Design and Craftsmen Guild show this weekend and was blown away by the brilliance of leaded enamels.  I am looking forward to using them in my cloisonne pieces.  Here's to paying the bills ;) Keep Creating

I got a Kiln!!!

It looks like it may have been built in 1976 but it works!!!! Also, it's a Paragon.  So should it ever stop working, I can easily find replacement parts.  The best part of it all, I got it for $50!!!!!!

Never fear my torch firing phenoms, this is a way for me to expand my enameling horizons.  As some of you may have discovered already, torch firing enamels has its limitations (size, dimensionality, ect.) With my kiln I can start to create some larger, 3-dimensional pieces.  Though I have this new tool I will still be torch firing a lot of my pieces.  I feel that torch firing is not only quicker, it adds character to the piece. 

Keep Creating :)

Thankful to Live in Raleigh

After today, I really appreciate living in such a FANTASTIC place! There is so much support here for emerging artists.  Today I went to a great lecture series given by the Visual Art Exchange (http://visualartexchange.org) called Business of Being an Artist.  Topics covered included; creating a cohesive series, photographing your work, applying for grants and fellowships and navigating social media.  All the topics covered were very valuable.  There wasn't a moment when I wasn't learning something. 
Back to how great Raleigh is.  There are so many patrons here that are open to buying art and supporting artists.   Galleries are very supportive and willing to work with artists to help them and the artist grow.  There are also many different studio spaces for artists to create (ie http://artspacenc.org) Independent businesses are also willing to consign or purchase art for sale or decoration.  Then there are so many organizations like the VAE and the NC Arts Council that support artists to be able to continue creating and grow their careers. 
I feel very blessed to live in such a supportive area and grateful to those who made all this possible.  Keep Creating :)

Loving my Metal Smith Roots

The more I enamel, the more I realize that this is truly a metal smithing art.  Not only are you painting with grains of glass onto metal, but the setting you put your piece in is just as important as the enameled surface.  I am starting to focus my work into the set enameled pieces.  I find this challenges me as an artist to think ahead to the setting and take it into account form the beginning.  As a metal smith I am certainly challenged to use all of my knowledge to create the piece I have envisioned.  There is a fantastic quote that embodies this. Every creator painfully experiences the chasm between his inner vision and its ultimate expression.  ~Isaac Bashevis Singer  Just some food for thought.  Keep Creating

Very Art Jewelry Project

This piece is named Stargazer after the lily it portrays.  This idea came to me while sitting at a show admiring a garden across the way.  The middle of the ring is enameled fine silver in which I drilled holes for the stamen before I started enameling.  I learned a lot with the construction of the ring.  The unconventional bezel as well as the stamens posed interesting challenges.  Keep Creating

Sending in Scraps

This week I took the plunge at $43 a troy oz. for silver and ordered some sheet and half round wire.  After cringing as they ran my credit card I decided to take an accounting of my scrap silver to turn in to be refined.  As I order my silver through riogrande.com, I am refining through them also.  If you turn in fine and cadmium free sterling, and take a credit towards future purchases, you get 75% of your weight.  Also, after drilling and sawing my silver I sweep off the shavings from my bench pin and am planning on turning in the shavings for a credit of 40%.   I think these are really good rates considering they have to refine it and roll it.  Does anyone know of any better rates?  Keep Creating :)

In the Wake

In the wake of all the disasters lately, hurricane Irene, the wildfire in Oklahoma and Texas, a lot of people are loosing all that they own.  Though it is only by chance, I feel very lucky not to have gone through something like this.  When I see all the destruction, I can't help but think we define ourselves by what we own.  I am also guilty of this.  Lately, I have tried to have a societal impact with my ongoing buying of stuff.  For example, toms.com, "with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give pair of new shoes to a child in need."  I recently bought a pair and have advertised for them to everyone I talk to.  I encourage you to make socially conscious purchases. As a crafts person who sells their wares, I am considering donating a percent of each  purchase to a charity.  Has anyone done this or have any suggestions for doing this successfully and easily? Keep Creating :)

Playing with Mica

This technique cam from my friend Susan "Boo" Reynolds.  She said she gets a neat effect if she sprinkles some flakes of mica onto unfired transparent.  I tried it yesterday on some disks I plan to hang on earrings.  I think it looks like snow.  The total process included counter enamel (Thompson Black), Base coat of white (Thompson Undercoat White), then Thompson Transparent in Sky with Mica.  When I was finished and the pieces were cool, I brushed off the excess mica and revealed this beautiful effect.  Keep Creating :)

Adding Skills to My Toolbox

It is my opinion that all the skills you learn, be it metal-smithing, sewing or beading, all help you to create your art.  Each skill allows you to communicate something with the wearer.  This week, I added a new skill to my toolbox, pearl knotting.  Taught by my friend and all around wonderful person, Ndidi, I learned to single and double knot pearls and stones in bracelet and necklace form. (http://www.ornamentea.com/classdescript/SwarovskiPearlBracelet.html)  Thank you to Ndidi, I am now hooked! There is something therapeutic about doing something repetitive.  So, I urge you to add to your toolbox, even if it doesn't look like you'll be able to use it.  Your new tool will help you as an artist, I promise! Keep Creating

Making Color Samples

This past week I made color samples of new colors I orders from Thompson Enamels.  I decided to use pennies as my base for the samples.  If you do this, you have to use pennies from 1981 or before based on copper content.  I also found that this is much more efficiently done is large batches.  And, of course, they are all torch fired.  Here are the steps I used.

 First I washed the pennies with Penny Bright, a fabulous product that I use on all the copper I enamel. 

 I covered 2/3 of the penny with Undercoat White.

 I then added a strip of silver foil.

 Then I covered the entire penny with the transparent color I need the sample for.

This way, I can see how the transparent looks on copper, silver and white.  This makes a big difference in how the color comes out.  Thompson does a pretty good job in their catalog of getting the colors accurate but it helps to see it in person.  I feel it is always helpful to have a reference when putting colors together.  Keep Creating :)

Hard to Stay Focused with Guests

I have had my parents at my house for the last week and I love to share what I do with them.  However, I find that with visitors, I have a hard time staying focused on a project and getting motivated to work.  Does anyone have the same issue? How do you combat that?  Also, if you are going on a trip, how do you enamel in a place other than your studio?

More on Eutectic Solder

Here's a picture of one of the pieces I used eutectic solder on.  In the blue area you can see where the solder discolored the enamel a little.  I'm thinking the solution is to depletion guild the joint.  However, I really like the results I'm getting using the eutectic solder and setting stones :) Keep Creating

Gallery Day

Here are some recent projects I've been working on. 

Tried My Hand at Eutectic Solder

I currently have 2 pieces that I'm working on using eutectic solder.  I have found that it is not at all hard to fire to create a joint and when you go to add the enamel, it stays solid (pretty cool!).  I am using regular liquid flux and fine silver components.  I did run into some trouble with oxidation and the solder discoloring the enamel.  Does anyone have any tips for curing this in the future? Keep Creating ;)

Some tips and tricks

~ When you sift enamel onto a piece, you only need holding agent on the bottom layer.  I find that if you use less holding agent, you get a more sincere bond between the layers of enamel. 
~ In bringing your piece down on the flame, go slow.  For two reasons; If it's fine silver, you don't want to make it go Terminator or it will ruin your pattern.  Also, if you are wet-packing or using holding agent, you want it to dry completely before the enamel cures.
~ If you are doing a cloisonne piece, go for 3 layers after you set the wires. You get a much deeper color and a little more flexibility when blending. 
~ When in doubt, counter enamel. 
~ Keep Creating ;)

Stone Set with Enamel - all torch fired!

I am very excited to have finished my first stone set with enamel completely torch fired piece.  I first put on the coat of counter enamel (Thompson Black), then attached the tube setting.  From there I wet packed the enamel in two layers then drilled the setting and set the stone!  I am very excited to incorporate this new technique into my designs. 

The Artist Exchange in Fuquay

I had a great day working at the Artist Exchange in Downtown Fuquay (118 Raleigh St.).  It's a new Artist Co-op that just formed about a month ago.  We are still working on getting off the ground and running, but I am very excited about all the great art that is being displayed.  We have such a variety of artists at a wide range of price points.  If you are in the area, I highly suggest checking it out.  Keep Creating

It's Been Busy

I've been very busy lately, but the good kind. I've been participating in a lot of shows and sharing experiences and experiments with other artists.  Some shows you may have seen me at are the Morning Times First Friday Market, and the Rebus Saturday Market.  I was delighted to speak with Lillian Jones (a local enamel artist, www.enamellist.com) about torch firing enamels at this past Saturday's market. 

I am currently looking for ideas about soldering under enamel.  I have eutectic solder on order from Thompson but was wondering if anyone out there has tried it or has an tips or tricks when using it. 

Torch Firing on Fine Silver

I just finished my first completely torch fired fine silver piece.  I encountered some problems along the way.  First, I tried to use fine silver wire to create a frame and had trouble getting the sheet and wire to fuse.  I got some copper solution form Lillian Jones to reduce the melting temperature round the seam but to no avail.  I think this problem can be remedied by using a hotter torch than the ones I have in my studio.  I am going to try an acetylene torch next time.  The second problem I ran into was with the counter enamel.  I tried to use two layers of counter enamel, like you're supposed to, but my second layer kept flaking off as it was cooling.  I decided the enamel was trying to tell me something and just went with the one layer of counter enamel.  Also, I used a piece of 24 gauge fine silver that had been textured with a rolling mill.  I feel that the texturing is a vital part of enameling on silver, otherwise I would just use copper.  I feel some of my problems might have come from the lack of bulk in the silver.  I plan to use 24 gauge but not as thinned by the rolling mill.  I will keep the bloggosphere posted as to my next conquest in the world of torch firing.  Keep Creating

Necessary Tools

Like any Art, there are tools that are necessary to accomplishing a finished piece.  Torches and fireproof surfaces are a must. 

 These are the two torches I use in my studio.  The larger is a MAP gas and the smaller a Butane.  The butane is used for soldering and smaller work as it burns cooler than the MAP.  The MAP torch is my main torch for enameling as it cures quickly and heats a large amount of space. 

 A pumice pan and charcoal block is necessary in any studio that uses fire.  These are great, versitile fireproof surfaces. 

 These are my collection of enamels.  I purchased sample sets to see which colors I use the most and then order higher amounts of those I use most.  I suggest keeping enamels in clear, sealed containers so they are protested from humidity changes yet you can still see the basic color you're using. 

Trivets and paint brushes are not necessary but the first extra purchase I would suggest.  You can fire on steel mesh but it leaves marks in the back. Trivets are a much cleaner way to fire.  Paint brushes are my preferred way to apply enamel when wet packing.  Some enamelists use a spatula or scribe, but I feel paint brushes offer a wider variety of sizes and shapes and are much more accessible. 

Please note that these are my personal preferences based on my experiences.  You may find that something else works better for you.  In that case, go with what you like.  You can view products of my torch firing on copper at www.erinbrowndesigns.net. 

Ode to Mom

Thanks Mom, for helping me to spread my wings. 

Great Day

Erin Brown Designs was at Peak fest in Apex today.  The weather was beautiful, the people were friendly, and the vendors were helpful.  Overall, it was a fabulous day.  I loved seeing all the patrons out to buy local and support their neighbors.  In this economy it is so important to support the people in our own communities.  Buying local helps the local economy and keeps people employed.  Keep buying local and keep creating.

Check out the New Pages

I just added a Bio page and an Artists Statement page.   I hope you find them useful and informative.  Never stop Creating

Brand New Blog

I am starting this blog today in response to the lack of information about torch firing enamels.  I have been torch firing enamels from the beginning and love it! I am a flame freak! I hope the information on this blog helps make enamels accessible to all.