Learn the Art of Cloisonne´ Enameling 
with Ricky Frank

Unlock the Art of Cloisonné Enameling: A Hands-On Workshop with Ricky Frank​

Imagine turning metal and glass into luminous works of art-pieces that hold the essence of light, depth, and color.

Cloisonné is more than a technique; it’s a gateway to creativity, blending structure with expression. With delicate wires guiding the flow of color, you gain both control and artistic freedom, shaping vibrant designs that glow from within.

This class is your invitation to step into the world of cloisonné enameling, where tradition meets innovation and your unique vision comes to life.

Why I love Cloisonne´ Enameling

Color:I can make a amazing layer of brilliant colored glass
Layers: I can "stack"my layers of glass to create depth and mystery.
Light: I can integrate metal backgrounds to reflect light through my multiple layers of glass to create magical images.

​Who Is This Class For?

Have You Faced These Challenges in Your Cloisonné Enameling Journey?

• You are captivated by cloisonné enameling and want to learn the techniques but don’t know where to begin.
• You’ve tried teaching yourself through books and online videos, only to find that something is missing.
• You’ve taken a class before and have some experience, but you want to study with a master—someone who has spent decades refining their craft.
• You want hands-on, in-person instruction to truly see, feel, and understand the process—something that books and videos simply can’t provide.

Cloisonné enameling is an art form that demands more than just technique—it requires the ability to see, experiment, problem-solve, and discover your own unique way of working. A workshop with Ricky Frank offers you the opportunity to:

• Watch skills demonstrated from multiple angles.
• Try techniques yourself under expert guidance.
• Receive immediate, personalized feedback to refine your approach and troubleshoot challenges.

The Three Pillars of This Workshop
1. Mastering the Techniques
Cloisonné enameling is built on a foundation of skills that allow you to prepare, apply, and fire materials with precision and intention. Ricky, with over 48 years of experience, shares his knowledge of:

• Preparing and shaping wires for intricate designs.
• Choosing, applying, and layering enamels to create depth and vibrancy.
• Firing techniques to achieve consistent, beautiful results.

But more than simply teaching technique, Ricky invites you to explore multiple approaches—helping you find a method that aligns with your artistic vision. This isn’t about copying his way; it’s about discovering your way.
2. Enamel Science: Understanding the ‘Why’ Behind the ‘What’
Cloisonné enameling is not just an art—it’s also a science. When materials are exposed to heat, chemical changes occur. Understanding these transformations allows you to troubleshoot and refine your process with confidence.

• Why does enamel bond to metal?
• What causes unexpected results, and how can you adjust your approach?
• How do heat, oxidation, and material interactions influence your final piece?

Through hands-on exploration and guided discovery, you’ll develop the ability to control your results—rather than relying on luck or guesswork.
3. Developing Your Personal Approach
True mastery of cloisonné enameling isn’t just about technique or science—it’s about intention. Why do you want to learn this art? What excites you about it? How do you want to express yourself?
Ricky doesn’t just teach you how to replicate his work. Instead, he empowers you to:

• Critically examine what you want to learn and why.
• Design exercises that strengthen your skills and artistic voice.
• Move beyond imitation and step into creative confidence, where your enameling becomes an authentic expression of you.

Step Into the Workshop and Transform Your Approach
This is more than a class—it’s an experience that equips you with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to elevate your cloisonné enameling practice. Whether you’re a beginner eager to build a strong foundation or an experienced artist looking to refine your craft, this workshop provides the tools and insights to take your work to the next level.
Join Ricky Frank in a hands-on journey of discovery, where every brushstroke, every firing, and every creative challenge brings you closer to mastering this extraordinary art form.

The Three Pillars of This Workshop

1. Mastering the Techniques

Cloisonné enameling is built on a foundation of skills that allow you to prepare, apply, and fire materials with precision and intention. Ricky, with over 48 years of experience, shares his knowledge of:

• Preparing a copper and fine silver "Canvas Blank"
• Preparing and shaping wires for intricate designs.
• Applying silver/gold foil to create "layers of reflected light"
• Choosing, applying, and layering enamels to create depth and vibrancy.
• Firing techniques to achieve consistent, beautiful results.

He shows you how he uses a skill, encourages you to try it his way, but invites you to explore and find "Your Way".  But more than simply teaching technique, Ricky shares his decision-making process: the questions he asks himselfand the conversation he has with his tools and materials that help him make his choices.
​This isn’t about copying his way; it’s about discovering your way.

2. Enamel Science: Understanding the ‘Why’ Behind the ‘What’

Cloisonné enameling is not just an art—it’s also a science. When materials are exposed to heat, chemical changes occur. Understanding these transformations allows you to troubleshoot and refine your process with confidence.

In this class, you’ll learn about 2 Enamel Science Concepts:

• Variables—anything that you can change that will create a different result.
• Principles—the natural laws that guide how enameling works, helping you move with them rather than against them.

For me, one of the most important questions in enameling is: "What does it depend on?". Does it depend on the firing temperature? If so, what happens when I change it? When you understand the Variables you can imagine possible options. 
​ When you understand the principles you prevent problems before they occur.  No more guesswork—just informed, intentional creativity.

Change the variables and
​change your results.

• Type of enamel
• Layer thickness
• Enamel grain size
• Firing temperature
• Firing time
• Type of metal

Learn the Principles and understand the WHY?

• Chemical Reactions
• Eutectic Bonds
• Transparency & Air Bubbles
• Thermal Expansion/ Cracking
• Firing Stages 
• ​Time/Temp Relationship

3. Developing Your Personal Approach
​

True mastery of cloisonné enameling isn’t just about technique or science—it’s about intention. Why do you want to learn this art? What excites you about it? How do you want to express yourself?
Ricky doesn’t just teach you how to replicate his work. Instead, he empowers you to:

• Critically examine what you want to learn and why.
• Design exercises that strengthen your skills and artistic voice.
• Move beyond imitation and step into creative confidence, where your enameling becomes an authentic expression of you

What Will You Learn?

Cloisonne´ Skills

 Opaque White Canvas Blanks

Wires and Foils

Color Layers

Both Mindsets are important, but many classes get stuck in the Performer Mindset.
​We find the balance that helps you build enamel skills and your creativity.

Performer Mindset
​Informational Learning & Teacher-guided

• I just want the Facts
• The teacher shows me what to do
• I believe what others tell me is the Right Answer
• I try to remember and recall the Right Way
• I try to do it the Right Way & be Perfect
• I ask "Will it work?"
• I can feel stuck when I don't know the Right Answer

Explorer Mindset
​Experiential learning &  Self-guided

• I learn from my Results
• I learn from my experiences (good or bad)
• I see different Results with my own eyes
• I internalize the process and can remember what I did
• I imagine possible ways to "do it"
• I ask "What if" questions and do it just to see
• I do One Thing to discover possible answers to my questions

Learn the Core Skills

Canvas Skills

• Copper/silver shape
• Form/Dome
• Base layers of enamel

Wire ​Skills

• Bend wires to design
• Apply to canvas blank
• Fire into place

Foil ​Skills

• Cut silver/gold shapes
• Apply to enamel
• Fire into place

Color ​Skills

• Prepare different colors
• Apply into wire cells
• Fire and build up layers

Finishing Skills

• Grind enamel surface
• Final firing
• Polish surface

Design Skills

• Design elements
• Design Principles
• ​Format/Composition