Inspired by nature and simple forms
Katie Johnston has been making jewellery since 2005 (read her story here ).
Katie uses copper and silver to make colourful jewellery using the various techniques of enamelling and silversmithing. She likes to explore the spontaneity and experimental nature of vitreous enamelling. Katie has used the techniques of enamelling to build up layers of texture and colour to represent this.
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Caring for our world
At Katie Johnston Jewellery we are committed to becoming responsible jewellery makers. We try to use Eco silver where possible, and our waste metal is repurposed or recyled. The packaging we use can be recycled and we will try to reuse packaging as much as we can. We are working on new ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and protect our beautiful world.
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The Art of Enamelling
Vitreous enamel has been used in jewellery throughout time and can be dated back to the ancient Egyptians. Its a lovely way to add colour and a range of effects to the surface of jewellery pieces. Powdered glass (made from silica, soda and metal oxides) is fused onto a metal base and fired at approx 850 degrees for around a minute, the powder melts, flows and hardens to form a smooth vitreous surface. There are many different processes and techniques of enamelling, some of them I use in my jewellery making such as sifting, stencils and sgrafattio. If you would like to find out more the British Enamel Society’s website has some great information.
https://www.enamellers.org/