The "Creative Enamel" Program
Let your "enamel light" shine!
Discover your enamel "happy dance"!

What is the "Creative Enamel" Program?

Early in my enameling career, I hit the proverbial wall. I was stuck and didn't know why or how to move forward. I gave up and chose to pursue a new career in sport psychology. Little did I know that studying peak performance would lead me full circle into explorations of my own creative process. After completing my Master's degree, I re-invented myself and my enameling career, and the rest is history (at least MY history).

What did I discover during my three year self-study? Previously, I had relied on the technical enameling skills that I had learned quite easily. The missing part was ME! I lacked a deep connection with my enameling process. Though I loved the enamel color that I had been creating, my lack of artistic experience and a dis-connection from my feelings

"your teaching method was transformative for me as both an enamel technician and an artist"
-Candie P

If you want someone to teach you how to make a “souvenir” project, take a class from someone else who teaches that way. If you want to learn the details of enamel work (and are willing to put in effort on your own),  then this may be the class for you. If you want to develop your own style and artistic voice (and you already know some enameling basics),  then this is definitely the class for you.- Bill O

The Challenge: Creative Enamel Quest

Why is this so challenging and difficult?

• Your are using HEAT to bond two materials: metal and glass. Heat can be scary.
  
• The firing process changes both the enamel and the metal; physics & chemistry
• Many colors, manufacturer brands, and firing temperatures
• Transparent, opaque, and opalescent enamels.
• Teachers and books often tell you the "right way" but present conflicting information and methods.
• How can YOU choose WHAT to do? So much to take in and process.
• Many materials, tools, techniques, and skills to explore. And distract you.
• You must practice, experiment, and play a lot to be able to predict your results. A lot.
• Persistence, resilience, and patience are required virtues in your learning process.
• Many of us don't have TIME and want shortcuts. Sorry. It takes time.
• You need to make many mistakes. You will make many pieces that you don't like.
• What are you going to make with the skills that you are learning?
• Do you understand design See design elements and apply design principles?
• Are you creative? Can you make original artwork?
• Do you believe that you are  "good enough"? Do you doubt yourself?
• Do you have the patience and persistence to allow yourself to fail repeatedly?
  

This is a lot to consider? No wonder it's confusing and overwhelming.

The Creative Mindset Skills

Design

Understand and see Design elements

• Lines, shapes, color, value, pattern
  
• Learn to SEE the world through the eyes of an artist
  
• Assemble your Design Elements using Design Principles to create compelling imagery.

Creativity

Become more Creative.

• Crop to find what you like
  
• Change to make it different
• Combine to create new relationships
• Play with enamel to see what is possible
• Develop your Imagination

Self-Expression

Make artwork that speaks from your heart.

• Find YOUR stories
• Consider "Why you care?"
• Create a series
• Make it meaningful
• Find a deep sense of connection and joy

Learn more about Creative mindset skills

What is keeping you from making the enamel artwork of your dreams?

Here is where I was stuck...

• My focus had been on my "technique" questions; what is the "best way" or "how can I make ...?
• I felt disconnected from my feelings and inner life.
• I was not aware of how to intentionally use my experience and memories to tell personal enamel narratives.
• My self-imposed rules of what was "good or bad" or "right or wrong"  limited my creativity.
• I didn't know how to step out of my "technique" comfort zone.
• I did not know my WHY? I believed that my WHAT and HOW were enough. But this left me feeling empty and uninspired.
  
• I had tons of doubt. Was I "good enough"?
  

...the more I thought about why those characteristics were appealing, I was able to reach an emotional response and connect with memories from my childhood. All that to say I am now starting page 4 of brainstorming and understanding what my story is!! Now to brainstorm how to tell that story. This is exactly what I was hoping to get from this class - my story and how to tell it! 
-Mary D.

I am your guide and coach.
Here is how I do it.

Let my experience
be your guide...

• 44 years making/selling my enamel jewelry
• Workshops/presentations at The Enamelist  Society Conferences
• Workshops at craft schools across the USA
• Exhibitor at top craft shows: Smithsonian, Phil. Museum of Art, ACC
• Rio Grande and Youtube instructor
• Creator of the enamelchannel.com

read more about Ricky

Here is what I will do as your coach...

• explain/demonstrate the enamel science and skill relationships.
• help you ask more and different questions
• point out what you are not seeing
• celebrate your small successes
• nurture your creative mindset
• embrace your personal narratives
• challenge you to set more challenging goals while focusing on your mini-goals
• support you as you make the mistakes necessary to change and grow
• become your biggest cheerleader and help you become your biggest cheerleader.

"What I really appreciate about this online class is having time in between the lesson drops to actually let ideas marinate, contemplate the steps I want/need to make, and then proceeding. I’m learning to let go of the need to have a “finished” piece, even as I advance towards that goal. I am experimenting with ideas that I never would have thought about. I am deep down the rabbit hole now, in an immersion sense, that is penetrating the information deep into my psyche, this is stuff I will not forget."
-Melissa V

Student Samples & Testimonials