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Preserving the dying art of enameling

Story by Dana Davis

12 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Lawrence — With a pinpoint instrument Laura Zell of Lawrence demonstrates the art of enameling.

"It's basically just a process of fusing glass to metal at very high temperatures. Copper, silver, gold, things like that or even steel, in some cases," says Laura.

Laura says enameling dates back to ancient times.

"Probably Celtic or Egyptian. We're not really sure how they fused the glass to the metal, but it was one of the first forms of ornamentation," Laura said.

Just about anything made out of metal can be enameled, from vases to spoons, to jewelry.

Over the years the artistry of enameling has lost some of its popularity, but Laura is fighting to help prevent it from becoming a dying art.

"The possibility of the beautiful results that you can obtain. And maybe also because a lot of people don't know how to do it. Makes me feel like I have to champion it, you know," Laura said.

There are at least a dozen types of enameling techniques. Laura works most closely with Plique-a-jour, a technique that resembles stained glass, considered the most difficult of techniques, and Cloisonne.

"Cloisonne in French means 'cell.' And this creates a definition for the color of the enamels that I'll use," Laura said.

The 'cell' in this case is the outline of a flower, created by a pure silver wire, fused to a copper backing. Laura mixes colored glass powder with distilled water and binding agent. And with a fine pointed dentist's instrument carefully colors the flower.

At this point Laura says contamination could pose a problem. So she makes sure her work area is very clean, countertops wiped down, floor swept clean. A speck of dust could ruin the enamel.

"It'll be a black speck within the design. I've got an exhaust system here, just so that I don't have to worry about opening up the windows, which can be a contaminate," she said.

Once the artwork has dried, it's fired in a 1,500 degree kiln. Laura says looking into kiln is like looking into the sun so she wears protective eyewear.

Once a piece has been fired, out comes colorful glass jewels. Because of the fluidity of glass, Laura says you're not quite sure what may happen with the design. But that is what makes the art form so engaging to her.

Laura says she is proud she is able to continue the ancient art of enameling, an art form she hopes will not be lost to the ages.