The French word “cloisonné” means “partitioned.” Cloisonné enamel is a technique that uses thin silver or gold wires to create partitions that form cells. These cells keep the enamels contained during firing, which allows the jewelry maker to create intricate designs with precisely delineated areas of color.
In the first part of this project, you’ll texturize, cut, and shape fine-silver sheet to make disk supports for the cloisonné wires.
In the second part (found on the included PDF), you’ll add enamels, fire the assembly, and finish the disks. The third part of the project (also on the PDF) has you making sterling silver bezels, which you’ll attach to ear wires and set the enamel disks into. If you like, you can add a stone dangle that complements the color of the enamels.
SUPPLIES
- Fine-silver sheet:
- 22-gauge (0.6 mm), dead-soft, 3⁄4 x 11⁄4 in. (19 x 32 mm)
- 26-gauge (0.4 mm), dead-soft, 3⁄4 x 11⁄4 in. (19 x 32 mm)
- Enamels: leaded or unleaded, 80-mesh, medium fusing
- 1 teaspoon opaque and/or transparent colors
- 1 teaspoon clear
- counter enamel
- Fine-silver cloisonné wire: .05 x .005 in., 8–12 in. (20.3–30.5 cm)
- Klyr-Fire enameling adhesive
- Bezel wire: 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) wide, 3 1⁄4 in. (83 mm)
- Sterling silver wire:
- 21-gauge (0.7 mm), round, dead-soft, 7 in. (17.8 cm)
- 26-gauge (0.4 mm), round, half-hard, 3 in. (76 mm)
- 4 beads: 2 mm, 4 mm
TOOLS: Check the PDF for the list of tools that you'll need, including the Enamel toolbox, Soldering toolbox, Finishing toolbox, and more.
INSTRUCTIONS