I have been asked by a few Orchid members about the items on my
Orchid gallery where I have used plique a-jour enamelling on insect
wings. One of the questions asked is why I choose to use the method
of saw piercing when preparing the framework for items such as the
butterfly wings. It is suggested that the same effect could be
obtained by making the framework with wires in a Fillgree method,
using wires that are soldered together. Well I am sure this method
might work with some low temperature enamels, but my experience had
shown that the high quality transparent enamels that fire at higher
temperatures will not adhere properly to most yellow gold solders.
The exception is the use of 18ct hard white solders but this is of
little use on yellow golds, I have not had the experience of a laser
welder and I think this may be an effective method of making a set
of wireframe wings. So if you want to try wirework plique a-jour
wings and do not have access to a laser welder, I would suggest using
18ct white gold wires and hard white gold solders. If you wish to use
my method of saw piercing butterfly wings, I use 1mm thick 18ct gold
sheet, I then sketch my wing design and then outline engrave the
design onto the sheet before piercing. A pair of life size butterfly
wings will take me around ten hours to draw, engrave and saw pierce
before enamelling.
For anyone interested my book due next March,now has a title and is
available for pre order at Amazon.The title is “The Work of a Master Goldsmith: A Unique Collection”, this book has many examples of
plique a-jour enamelling, all using the method of hand saw piercing,
which is my speciality. If you like the items shown on my Orchid
gallery then you might be interested in seeing how my work has
progressed over the past forty years.
Peace and good health to all
James Miller FIPG a goldsmith in the UK
For anyone interested my book due next March,now has a title and
is available for pre order at Amazon.The title is "The Work of a
Master Goldsmith: A Unique Collection",
Usually publishes allow author some number of copies to distribute
himself. I would be honored to buy it directly from you, with the
autograph if possible. Is there a way to do it ?
You ask who my publisher is, well I was fortunate to secure the
publisher who published the late Oppi Untracht’s fine books, Robert
Hale Publishing. They have a publishing section called NAG Press,
which specialises in the publication of many books on clocks and
jewellery, their website is: halebooks.com click on NAG Press section
and you can see a variety of trade connected books, including the
much recommended Engraving on Precious Metals book by A Brittain.
Leonid,
My publisher has only offered me six books and I am afraid these are
all earmarked for my family. The book will be available via Amazon
world wide, I am not sure what the USA price will be but Amazon.co.uk
is offering the book at a good discount for pre order copies. Perhaps
I could organise a signed card for you to insert in the book if that
will suffice.