How to Enamel on Silver Clay with Toni Peers

This one-day class is designed to partner up the skills of silver clay with enamelling.

Silver clay (fine silver) is an ideal partner for enamelling as fine silver does not react in the kiln. Since we make our pieces a little bit thicker, there should be little need to counter-enamel and glass is applied lightly so as to enhance the silver rather than cover it completely (it is different to enamelling on copper where you would cover the whole surface and use a variety of techniques to create something unique with the glass).

Initially we will look at how to design a silver clay base with enamelling in mind.

This might be by adding texture, or creating recesses which can then be elevated by applying a layer of transparent glass. Toni will cover all the basics of silver clay, and you will make a prototype before creating your piece in silver clay.  You will also learn how to finesse your pieces before they are fired.

Once your silver clay piece has been completed, we will look at the considerations needed to enamel the piece, this will include colour choice and preparation of enamels. Once the enamel has been applied, we will look at how to polish your work without damaging the glass.

You will have 10g of silver clay in this class, which should be enough to create 1 – 2 pieces depending on their size.