MAGGIE JONES – ENAMELS

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I specialise in ‘cloisonne’ enamels, where lines of the design are created by bending and shaping copper, sterling silver or gold ribbon wire and fusing them into the hot enamel.

Enamel is glass – a combination of silica and soda ash with the addition of small amounts of metal oxides to give the glass its colour.  It is fused to metal at 800 degrees C.

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I use only pure copper and sterling silver to create my pieces and all ear studs and hooks are in sterling silver.

                                                         

At its highest level, enamelling demands an almost painterly approach, which combines several artistic disciplines with meticulous craftsmanship.

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The art of enamelling can trace its origins back at least four thousand years and is a perfect medium to create lasting images.

 It is labour intensive, as most of my pieces can be fired up to between 5 and 10 times each.