Blue Beetle Earrings - Vitreous Enamel on Silver w 24k Gold Wire and 5mm London Blue Topaz - Champleve & Cloisonné Enamel by Sandra McEwen

These magical beetle earrings are iridescent with shimmering color!

Size: 15mm x 25mm

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Did you know that enamels are melted glass?

Yes! It's true... To create this lovely pair of earrings, I first fabricated the silver base out of sheets of fine silver. The lines of the design are actually fine silver wires that I meticulously bent by hand (and tweezers) into the shapes you see. Then I placed granules of ground up glass (enamels) in between the wires and melted them in the kiln. There are as many as 20 layers of glass in each individual piece! After I've added all the layers of glass, I carefully grind and polish it until it sparkles!

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Champlevé: pronounced Shamp-lee-VAY

is the process of inlaying the colored glass enamels directly into a solid piece of silver, so there’s no need for a separate setting.

Cloisonné: pronounced Cloy-ZEE-nay! (always best when said with a flourish!)

is the process of using delicate silver or gold wires to create drawing lines that separate the different bits of colored enamel.

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ABOUT ME

Enamels are my passion.

I have always loved incorporating bright color and light into my work, so when I discovered the beauty of cloisonné enamel, I was hooked. My work incorporates color, light, and balance- be it abstract or figurative. I'm influenced by all the gorgeous jewelry of the past, but try to give it a modern twist.

I love crafting beautiful objects to wear and adore, and I hope you will enjoy owning them as much as I enjoy making them. If you are interested in commissioning a unique piece of wearable art, please feel free to contact me.