[Looking4] Enamelist to Collaborate on Art Project

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi,

I’m not really sure I’m in the right place for this but I’d like to
find an artist/enamelist to collaborate with on an art project.

I design and sell rather intricate and somewhat expensive metal cubes
on the internet at:

Maxton’s Art Gallery @ www.maxton.com

I think adding brightly colored enameling to these metal cubes would
be quite interesting.

I realize the range of metals I use are not entirely compatible with
enameling but I was thinking I could make a metal insert out of
copper that’s removable from the face of the cube and could be sent
via mail to the Artist /Enamelist.

Anyway, it’s just an idea but I think it would be really attractive.

Hopefully, I haven’t breached any protocols here; any ideas or
otherwise, hopefully no hate mail; please email me offline.

Thanks,
GarE Maxton

2

Hi GarE;

First, let me say that those little gems are fantastic! I’d love to
own one myself. Right now, however, I’m saving up to upgrade from a
bicycle to a car… just in case I need one.

This is a perfect forum for you, not only because your project is
germaine to the interests of this forum, but because this forum
exists to address just such issues. And by the way, since you are
obviously an artist working in metal, you are most welcome to this
forum.

You are correct, there would be an issue with directly enameling on
the metals, at least with vitreous (fired glass) enamels. The melting
temperatures of those metals, if they are what I think, is too low
for most, and things like copper, that have higher melting
temperatures, will, becuase of their reactivity, limit your color
choices.

There are inexpensive colored resins, like the “Colores” line that
Rio Grande carries, but I’m not sure they are suitable for a quality
article, since they are basically a not too hard plastic. There are
new colored resins that cure with ultraviolet light that more closely
resemble fired enamels, and they are much harder. They are the same
that used in the dental field for bonding. They can be finished and
polished. They are a bit pricey, and the light to cure them is an
investment of around $1200 if I remember correctly.

Yes, you could fire inserts and epoxy them in place, or devise
mechanical means of attachment. That would allow all the
extraordinary range of fired enamels.

I’d like to throw out another idea for you. How about inlaying gem
materials? Jade, onyx, jasper and agate, there are lots of materials
that can be easily aquired in slabs, and most experienced and equiped
lapidary artists use this technique all the time on jewelry. I’d say,
forget the softer plastic resins, maybe consider the hard, light
cured ones for production runs, and experiment with creating unique
editions using a palate of gem materials, or a collaborative effort
with an accomplished artists working in vitreous enamels.

Welcome to Orchid! Expect many more compliments for your beautiful
work from those of us on the forum with an eye for the unique and
beautiful.

David L. Huffman

3

Dear GarE,

I looked at your site and the pieces are very cool! Way too cool for
plastic! One of the appealing things about them is that the
materials you use are real. Using plastic denigrates what you are
doing, especially confusing to someone buying an expensive piece. You
could easily find someone to work with you through the Enamelists
Society: www.enamelistssociety.org The society has broad membership
and links to members and institutions involved in the field. Nothing
in plastic will match the beauty and cache of enamel. Don’t settle
for fake when you can have the real thing. Good luck with your
search. I’m sure you’ll find a number of very competent enamelists
with whom you can collaborate.

Marianne Hunter
http://www.hunter-studios.com
new Board member of the Enamelists Society
www.enamelistssociety.org

4

Hey,

Thanks David. I’ve got a lot to learn here. Where can I find out more
about the ultra violet light cured enamels?

GarE

5

I am colaberating with a great enamelist in the US and coming up
with some rather innovative, usefull items and decking them with
diamonds and enamel. Remember, jewellery does not always have to be
rings, pendants or earrings.

I have been saying in the past few years…“Anything can be
jewellery”…let your mind wander, be very creative…I am now
presently working on 5 projects, and four of them are neither rings
nor pendants.

Gerry!

6

Hi Marianne,

Thanks for the info.

Unfortunately, the heating of irregular metal shapes (like mine)
causes oxidation and twisting which ruins the interlocking fit of my
sculptures. Otherwise, I’d be enameling the copper pieces in my shop
right now.

A solution has yet to be found…

I went to your website and really love your work. Beautiful colors!

GarE

7

Hello GarE;

I can’t remember who, in the jewelry supply industry, first marketed
this product and it’s technology to jewelers, but it was either
Gesswein or Contenti. These are both reputable old jewelry supply
companies, and I’m sure they can be easily located using a Google
search. If you can’t locate them, email me off forum and I’ll get
their contact I do most of my computer work at home, as
is the case here, and my catalogs are in my office downtown. Let me
know if you’re having problems. Meanwhile, I’ll look into it
tomorrow and have the for you tomorrow evening.

The product has been used by a few jewelry manufacturers, but they
were small companies, so they didn’t have the stroke to keep up
marketing to the point where they made a lasting impact, but I’m
pretty sure the product is still available.

David L. Huffman

8

Your projects sound very interesting Gerry. I’m sure I’m not alone
in wishing we could have a peek sometime, as your work is always a
joy to see.

Helen
UK

9

Hi Orchidians, I’ve given embarrassingly incorrect info on how to
reach the Enamelist Society. The website is, as my friend Judy Stone
keeps reminding me:

10

GarE -

I agree with Marianne Hunter that your cubes are too precious to use
plastic, no matter how it is hardened. The cubes are puzzle cubes,
as I understand your website and are meant to be handled. Vitrious
enamel (glass) would last a life-time just as your cubes are meant
to do and would not wear off or wear down. Contact the enamelist
society and they will notify enamelists of the opportunity and then
you can select an artist to work with.

Sheridan Reed

11

Hi GarE

There’s more than one way to do this using vitreous enamel. An
enamel panel could be set into a recess or framed by an opening in
one of the blocks. Using a heavier gauge metal for one portion and or
supporting/strengthening wire would help too. You are needing to fire
the whole piece as a unit, are you? If not, I don’t see why fire
scale would be an issue.

Good luck with it all. I love enamel, so I’m a bit prejudiced…the
design freedom is unparalleled. But, I’m sure you’ll find a way to
get what you need, one way or another,

Marianne
Marianne Hunter
http://www.hunter-studios.com

12 
Your projects sound very interesting Gerry. I'm sure I'm not alone
in wishing we could have a peek sometime, as your work is always a
joy to see.

Thanks Helen,

Sorry for the delayed response.

My work is on the web at maxton.com In the UK you can contact
puzzlethis at puzzlethis.co.uk

GarE