The Candy Collection consists of 22 necklace pendants. This work further developed what I accomplished in my production class and simultaneously allowed me to continue my passion for working with enamels. I also set two stones in this collection, something I had never done before and quickly fell in love with. Although I did face setbacks this term, I think I produced the best work I have made to date and I can’t wait to wear them all.

The process began with making the enamel “gemstones.” I said I’d write a guide for how I go about this process, so here’s the steps in a very basic format:

1. Use the circle punch to cut out 10-15 copper circles (prefferably 18 gauge, nothing thinner). 

2. Anneal the copper circles & use the dapping block to give them a domed surface.

3. Pickle & brass brush with soapy water (I used dish soap).

4. Allow the domes to sit on top of the kiln for at least 10 minutes before applying squeegee oil. I’ve found that letting them heat up makes the oil glide on and distribute better. 

5. Start with a transparent enamel coat (2000s)

6. Layer on with varying colors, mixing between transparent and opaque colors. I switch between sifting the layers on and using spoons to sprinkle all over. 

7. Between each coat of enamel I apply the enamel on a manilla envelope and then slip them onto the wire things that they go on in the kiln. This helps avoid extra enamel building up around the edges of the circles and hardening, thus making the shape harder to fit when you make your bezels. 

8. I use white (sprinkled) at the end (most times) to give it a speckled-stone look. 

9. Done! Let them cool. No need to worry about the backsides/ firescale because it will be hidden :) 

I was able to complete all these pendants over the course of four days. It wasn’t the most planned-out process, but I really impressed myself that I was able to finish all of it in such a short period of time. If anything, I shocked myself with how much my skills have grown and my pace has gotten so much faster. During production, it took me five JAM packed, stressed-out weeks to complete 17 pieces. This took me four days. It shocked me, and it was kind of thrilling, and I enjoyed every second of it. I’m not sure if I’m going to end up selling any of them because I don’t know when I’ll have the next opportunity to do something like this again. I love metalsmithing, and these classes taught me just as much, if not more, about work ethic, communication, project management, and where my passions lie.