Eutectics and Eclectics with Averill Shepps
Averill Shepps will teach techniques to obtain effects that can't be achieved any other way. What happens when 2 dissimilar metals (in this case, copper and silver) reach a point where the melting point is lower than each metal separately? An adventure in enameling is about to begin. When the "eutectic point" is reached, the metals form an alloy which pushes the enamel aside and then oxidizes, creating the effects seen in these images. The Center for Enamel Art presents this second in the Radical Enameling Workshop Series for 2014.
The workshop will cover experimental work in raising enamel, copper, and silver to the eutectic point. Working with eutectics creates the feeling of joining forces with the Universe, of coming to the edge of a precipice and then pulling back just as the piece is about to be drawn into a black hole.
Emphasis will be on how to successfully enamel materials that students have not encountered or have tried to use and failed. They will learn to use some unique materials such as cat hair and other animal hair, mica, copper electrical wire, copper screen, and ultra thin copper sheet. Sifting techniques to apply enamel to copper, and appropriate firing techniques will allow students to achieve foolproof results with transparent enamels. That solid base of information will lead to further experimentation and in learning to control the results of a seemingly uncontrolled process. All skill levels welcome.
Averill Shepps has been working in enamels for over 50 years, making her living as an enamelist for most of that time. Many of her techniques are her own development, and she has taught numerous workshops.. She has exhibited work throughout the United States and internationally. Her work has been featured in: The Art of Enameling, Contemporary Enameling: Art & Techniques, and 500 Enameled Objects as well as in several articles and 2 covers in Glass on Metal. A You Tube video demonstration by Averill (Search “enameling”) has had over 75,000 hits. She is currently serving her sixth term as President of The Enamelist Society.
Workshop Hours: M-F, 10 AM to 5 PM , with meal breaks, and optional evening work hours until 9 PM .
Cost: $475 plus $35 materials fee
Materials List: Provided upon registration or when ready
Registration: Limited to 14
If the workshop is full, contact Judy Stone to be put on a wait list.
Refund Policy:
No refunds unless your workshop position can be filled by another person.
Lodging, Meals, Transportation:
Coming from out of town? Besides AirBnB, Priceline, and other online room offers there will be a hotel list provided upon request. The Crucible is within walking distance of BART (West Oakland Station). Finding daytime parking can be a problem so public transit is recommended. Lunch and possibly dinner may be catered from local sources. Menu and order forms will be available before the workshop if there is enough interest. The Center will help you make your stay comfortable and stress free while you are a workshop participant.
The workshop will cover experimental work in raising enamel, copper and silver to the eutectic point at which point the materials melt and combine to produce very unusual effects. Students will learn to use some unique materials such as cat and other animal hair, mica, copper electrical wire, copper as thin as 1 mil, copper screen. A discussion of proper sifting techniques to apply enamel to copper plates or sheet, and a demonstration of the appropriate firing techniques will allow students to achieve foolproof results with transparent enamels. That solid base will allow them to go on and experiment with raising the materials to the eutectic point and in learning to control the results of a seemingly uncontrolled process. Working with eutectics gives one the feeling of joining with the forces of the Universe, of coming to the edge or a precipice and then pulling back just as the piece is about to drawn into a black hole.