Precision.

It seems that whenever I tell people that I am a cloisonné artist, an expression of confusion sometimes reveals itself.

So... please allow me to explain.

Clear as mud, right. Well, I guess that's my point. The cloisonné process simply refers to the creation of small 'chambers' of glass that make up a piece. Nothing more, nothing less. But that certainly doesn't mean that it's not extremely labor intensive work. I must admit that the patience level and adherence to the strictest of studio rules is what makes enamel work less than a craft, not quite a trade, and lands it directly in the realm of ART. Think 'old masters' and you'll have it just about right. 

To be more specific, cloisonné enameling is the art of building a wire canvas, grinding the correct colours, sifting and washing those colours, and then carefully inlaying them until they are, for the lack of a better word... PERFECT. Oh yes, and one can not forget the glowing, red-hot kiln, with it's small jowls looking like the depths of the-place-you-don't-want-to-be-in-the-afterlife.

There are no mistakes allowed in cloisonné work. None. I can not tell you how many times I have been working on a piece until 1:00 in the morning, only to throw it at the wall (yes, I actually once did that), because ONE wire fell down. *sigh* But... I doubt anyone creates cloisonné to make a quick buck. I do it because it's more of a 'calling' than anything else. I have burned myself and eaten glass more times than I might care to admit, but the COLOURS... they make up for everything. Really, they do.

Years ago, I saw an exhibition of one of the most famous and masterful cloisonné artists who ever lived. Peter Carl Fabergé. Of the giant Easter egg fame. You know... they look like this:

If you look *very* closely, you can see the tiny chambers, or 'cloisons' of glass on the base.

  Amazing, right? I know. Even though I'm aware that Fabergé had a team of apprentices/helpers, I can't help being fascinated with the idea that he not only conceptualized the designs, but he was such a skilled artisan himself. It's true... how else could copies of his work still be found all over the world? His apprentices learned from him, that's how!

As I am preparing for the launch of my new Etsy shop, I am also considering the history and the precision of this thing that I do... cloisonné. I found a video that I'd like to share with you. I know it's in French, but it *is* subtitled. I think this artist explains (better than I have tried to do here) what an enamelist feels when he or she is at work. After all, what IS art without feelings, thoughts, and inspiration?

The Craft of Enameling 

My guess would be that if you are reading this, you can relate.

xoxo 

Workin.'

Greetings & Salutations. (Don't you love that? I wish people still spoke so politely to one another, but that's a whole other blog post). 

Just recently, I've had a lot of requests for info about my Etsy shop launch, which seems to directly correspond with the amount of time I've been MIA from this blog. I'm *planning* on having at least nine items listed by Halloween. AND... I'm launching my Facebook Fan Page today, so please come and find me @NatanyaElka over on FB. To be honest, I've been working my poor little digits to the bone, and I'm still anticipating the 'soon to come' photo shoot for my work. YIKES. 

So... the point is, I've been workin' it. Here are some basic photos of a few of my pieces. I thought you might like have an idea of what my work looks like, minus a live model:

I don't have a name for her yet. What do you think?

Is she a choker, is she a hairpiece? The beauty is that YOU get to decide every time you wear her ;0}

A little black and red action. She also needs a name.

Same deal... necklace, hairpiece. Both? It's like the coffee vs. tea conundrum.

Almost done. I just need to finish the beading. Yay!

I'm really picky about quality control. I only use real gemstones, metal, and glass.

A teal quartz briolette. Isn't she lovely? I think she's just scrumptious...

So... a long story summed up by a few photos, and that's what I've been up to. 

There will also be matching gemstone earrings and some fun storage/gift boxes, but I need to get back to work!

(Here comes the disclaimer, which I wish I never had to say: I believe in Karma, do you? In other words, a sneak peak is not an invitation to imitate. It's really *not* the sincerest form of flattery).

OK, I really should finish 'Madame Butterfly.' Have a great day, y'all! Please feel free to leave me comments ~ I *love* to hear your thoughts and name suggestions!

xoxo

Color.

So, here it is. My first post. For me, this is not simply a blog entry. It's the renewal of a life...

As you probably read in my profile, I've loved jewelry since I was a child. Like many little girls (and probably more than a few boys), I used to plunder both my mother's and grandmother's jewelry boxes on a regular basis. At their instructions, I was always very careful to handle the most precious items with the care they deserved. I would listen to stories about how each item had come to exist in the collection, but in the back of my mind, my imagination would take over. I would conjure up stories of lost romance, undying love, and most of all, COLOR. I can still recall the details of every stone, the way the light caught on a piece of twisted metal, the way the hues of jade, rubies, and pearls would reflect the natural beauty in their matching light brown eyes. 

And ever since then, I have wanted to wear it (at my own insistence, my ears were pierced when I was three), own it, and most importantly, create it. I don't really know why this is. My mother has her own theories, mostly involving past lives, but I think the answer for me is the COLOR. 

Not coincidently in the least, I dream in full color. My dreams are filled with symbols, night after night, I can recall them as if they have occurred in my daily life: a glowing, glade green frog with vermillion eyes, a scrap of creamy old lace, a pile of verdigris river stones, and an ancient, faded, mustard yellow bathtub. These are the pictures in my mind. Carl Jung would have a field day with my subconscious.

With relief, I discover that night after night, there are always more snapshots, more broken eggshells, and best of all, a never ending source of COLOR.

Each one inspires me to create something special. A unique treasure for whomever claims it, and a confession from my soul.

In full COLOR.

Stay tuned ~ thanks for dropping by...

xoxo, 

Natanya