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Enameling is an ancient art. Somewhere in the Fertile Crescent someone discovered that glass would almost magically fuse to metal when heated to a certain temperature. Since that time artisans have been creating objects of intriguing and enduring beauty! One summer I was working on my mater's degree in art education and I enrolled in a class that included batik, woodworking and enameling. I had found an exciting medium with so many possibilities! Each piece we create must be fired two to five times to build up layers of glass. During the final firing small pieces or threads of glass are placed with tweezers, or a tiny spoon is used to add tiny amounts of powdered glass. The piece is then fired and the design created while molten. The process can be spontaneous or tedious and exacting. Not every piece survives at an acceptable level but many do and there is great pleasure in the work! Looking at our jewelry, you may discover miniature worlds in the frozen glass, especially when both transparent and opaque glass have been combined. We live on 10 acres of woods in what I describe as "The Oak Grove Ozarks." We named our place, Feather Hill, hence "Feather Hill Arts." Ralph and I work as a team. We have been enameling for over 16 years and still find it exciting and rewarding! The rich shine and depth of color, the addition of interesting and unusual beads, developing new combinations and techniques, keep us interested and inspired! We constantly strive for fine craftsmanship and distinctive designs! We have developed a style of enameling that can be recognized! Our work has received awards at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, The Riverbend Art Fair and the Missouri Art Educators Conference. We have been previously juried into Best of Missouri Hands. Our work can be seen in galleries and shows in several states. I wrote a poem about one piece of jewelry - the "Purple Heart" for women. It is included in a national catalog, Female Creations. A friend suggested write poems to go with other pieces - So I have! Providing a new combination of words and art. "It is at once exciting and yet humbling, God allowed us to be creators, too!" Feather Hill Arts Home | Artisans | Membership | News | Contact | Featured Craftsman | Mission | Links | Members Only |
   
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