ArtfulOtter.com is the home of fine enamel jewelry hand-made by artist Pamela Wilson. We specialize in the creation of beautiful enamel jewelry incorporating various techniques such as basse-taille, cloisonné and sgraffito on copper and fine silver. All of our enamels are individually handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces.
Developed in Italy in the 13th century, basse-taille enamelwork was especially popular in Europe during the Gothic and Renaissance periods. To create the design, the highs and lows, the design is drawn on the copper disc and then etched in a solution of ferric chloride to make beautiful jewelry.
Making a piece of cloisonné enamel is a very time-consuming and delicate task. Once you have the design in mind you should make a sketch to use as a template to bend the wires just so. The outcome is can build depth and create refractive color changes when the enamel is seen in the daylight.
Enameling is a very exacting art. After several years I wanted to experiment and so I turned to torchfiring. Instead of firing the enamel in a kiln, it is fired on a metal grate with a handheld torch. The effects are totally unpredictable yet eye catching.
