Silver wire wrapped, copper and enamel champleve earrings with Swarovski crystals

I really like making champleve pieces and as time goes on, I'm getting better at this technique. My most recent creation is this pair of earrings, which are copper, wire wrapped with silver and Swarovski crystals:

The beauty of champleve is that you create an inlaid design that shows off the metal against the enamel. My teacher remarked that these earrings really show a lot of metal, but I like that there's a such a wide "frame" around the enamel portions.

For the enamel, I applied stripes of purple and blue glass. One of my classmates said that it looks as if the copper has been inlaid with opals. That wasn't what I was going for -- I was just experimenting with colors -- but hey, I'm glad that they're pretty!

My one disappointment with these is that I wish they were a little more lightweight. I used 16 gauge copper so they're a bit bulky for my ears, but I know plenty of women who like sturdy statement earrings. And these definitely make a strong statement!

To purchase my jewellery, head to Naomi's Designs or MayaGirl Creations.

Bleeding heart copper champleve enamel earrings

I finally finished my first completed champleve design! Here are my crimson red copper heart earrings, which I made using Victoria Red enamel -- a deep, blood red-colored glass:

Champleve is turning out to be more complicated than I'd thought. You have to keep track of just how long the pieces sit in the acid; otherwise, the ferric chloride will burn right through the back of the metal. Still, you want to create a fairly deep groove so that the enamel has something to fill. As for the enamel, the idea is to fill the groove so that the glass ends up flush with the metal; it shouldn't overflow. It's supposed to look inlaid. So it's taken some practice to get the hang of this. I'm still learning, but I'm getting there and these earrings are cute!

I polished the copper using special metal polishing cloths and made the earring hooks using 20 gauge copper wire. I tried a different method for making the hooks; instead of just closing up the end loop as I usually do, I wire wrapped the bottom of the hook to give it extra security. It didn't take long to do, but the earring wire is a lot stronger.

In my last post I debated whether I should get a kiln, but I've decide to instead rent some studio space for the summer. This way, I don't have to worry about safety and ventilation issues. I'm actually going to use space in the Brooklyn-based jewelry studio where I took last year's summer enamel class. That kiln isn't the best, but it's probably better than what I'd use at home -- and I "know" the kiln so I have an idea of how long to heat pieces. I made some nice pieces there last year so it'll be a good place to work and practice champleve.

Sometimes I'm not sure if people can tell that I'm working and improving, but a friend recently told me that a mutual acquaintance commented to him about my stuff. She told him that she could see that I was getting better and making more complicated pieces. I really appreciate that she's noticed!

The summer has been pretty quiet, but I might be doing a craft fair/fundraising for a local school for kids with Cerebral Palsy. I hope it goes well -- not just for myself, but because it'll be nice to raise a good amount for the charity.

Meantime, check out my jewellery at Naomi's Designs and MayaGirl Creations.

Small copper enameled earrings in pink and black/blue and black

After putting in all of that work on my Fire And Ice bib necklace, I wanted to do something fun and easier in my enameling class. I ended up making two pairs of two-toned earrings: one pair in rose pink and black and the other in aqua blue and black:

I made these simply by sifting the colors onto the copper disk. First, I applied a white base coat so the colors would be bright and clear, and then added the pink, black and blue. I really like the contrast between the black and the lighter colors. I also like how the colors kind of blend.

Next on my agenda in my enameling class is to make a cloisonne hamsa pendant. That's going to be a lot of work. Meantime, I enjoyed making something a little more simple that's still beautiful.

To purchase my jewelry, head to Naomi's Designs or MayaGirl Creations.