In recent months most of my making time has been taken up with commission work and Etsy orders. This has been joyous and I’ve been thrilled and often challenged by each new request. Things are always a little quieter in the New Year though, and the slight lull has allowed me time to think of new designs.
Last week I finished two commissions and had some freshly ground enamels to use up. Sometimes my enamelling plans are so numerous that they tumble over eachother in my head. It’s often tricky to find time to try them out. On Sunday, though, I set aside the chores and made some sketches.
The Mr took the little ones out for an hour or two. I’d been wanting to try to make a piece inspired by the wintry meadows here on the edge of the Fens. Dry grasses and plants may not be as noticeable or colourful as their summer counterparts but I think they’re starkly beautiful and I love the variety of shapes of the seedheads.
Inspired by bladder campion, wild fennel and sorrel stems on our Fen grasslands, I made the texture in the clay, dried and fired it and then mixed some enamel. I wanted the pendant to be a wearable colour but to also echo the colours of the wintry plants so included a touch of yellow in the mix. The picture above was taken just as it cooled enough to be held and before I polished the white oxide from around the edges. I hope to make a series of these.
In recent days I had been for a walk in the village wood to see if the mild weather last week had brought us any closer to Spring. To my delight I discovered that some shoots I’d spotted on New Years Day had grown into rather tall, elegant snowdrops and that nearby there was a clump of aconites, brightly cheerful and seriously thrilling to find. My discovery inspired not only this months Garlic and Sapphire blogpost about spotting signs of Spring but also this new enamelled aconite design, which has helped to develop my slip trailing skills. Prior to adding the enamel I made texture on the silver to echo veins in both the petals and the leaves. I’m using a similar technique to that used by William Moorcroft on his floral ceramics but on a much smaller scale. As I make more pieces like this I hope to become a little more confident with blending and applying the enamel on the surface.
So, with one foot in winter and one foot in Spring my head is full of new designs. I think the kiln and I will be busy in the coming weeks- I’ll be making a new collection for the Etsy shop and for the Selvedge Spring Fair on 22nd and 23rd March.
These are so beautiful. Your Fen grasslands must be similar to our Wisconsin prairies – we have many of the same plants. (And I too love their winter forms, especially when outlined against a wintry sky.)
Enjoy your Spring making! 🙂
Beautiful Emma!! 🙂
Vivienne x
They are beautiful and I am sure will be good sellers! Julie x
Too pretty.
These are stunning emma, I really love the green and yellow enamel in the floral design 🙂 I can't wait to see your new collection in your etsy shop! Good luck with the making, there is lots of inspiration around at this time of year with the changing of the seasons, safxxx
Emma, I do like the looks of these nature-inspired, enameled pendants.
It's great that you will be part of the March Selvedge Spring Fair! I think that the change of location for this fair has been a great decision.
Winter still has us in a firm grip over here. I've treated myself to day off spent totally indoors knitting today. Bliss.
xo
I have promised myself a birthday present from your Etsy store so looking forward to your new designs – the colours are lovely so fresh for Spring. Karen x
I do like the green piece, both are lovely but that one is special!
Fens and grasslands in winter have a stark, fragile beauty that I adore 🙂
Such pretty creations! 🙂 x
so talented you are…i love your photography and silver art so much ;0)
They're both so beautiful Emma. I love that you've included real nature photos in your post too — so that we might have a peek into your process!
Your pieces are so beautiful that I think I might have to start wearing jewellery again – yours of course!
Your enamelling is going so well Emma – I love the aconites. Lucy xx
I like your slip-trailing – it works really well!
I like your slip-trailing – it works really well!
Those are great pieces, Emma. I also love the dried grasses and seed heads of the winter.
((hugs)), Teresa 🙂
Very pretty… both!
Completely in love with the grasslands. Very beautiful indeed.
Ooooh! I've just treated myself to some earrings from you – now I'll have to save up again! I love that yellow and green aconite piece…….
So creative! And very pretty!
They are beautiful Emma and it's lovely that your head is brimming full of new ideas, we're looking forward to seeing them x
Hi Emma. I have just found your blog. I think your jewellery is beautiful.
I will be following with interest.
Rosezeeta.
Hi Emma! I had read this post a bit ago, but didn't comment. Love your work! So…
Tonight I was talking with the Mr. about RNDD and who all was on board etc. He was asking about your jewelry and I showed him this post to give him a visual on enamel work. I thought I should pass along his comment about your creations. he said, "Wow, those are amazing! I really like those a lot! Impressive."
And just so you know, he has extremely good taste in jewelry, I have been the lucky recipient of many a beautiful piece.
Thought I should share. 🙂
there is a lot of spring in the air.
Love your work Emma