Handmade Dolphin Cloisonne Enameled Pendant - "Libertas"
$55.00
For your consideration is this dolphin cloisonné enameled pendant, handmade in my home workshop in Atlantic Beach, FL. The base metal and wires are 100% copper.
A copper shape is initially transformed into jewelry by being coated with a layer of fusing clear or foundation white enamel. After that cools, wires are carefully placed to create the cloisons, or cells, to hold the colored enamel, which is wet-packed into place. Once the wet enamel dries, the copper is fired in my kiln to vitrify, then removed, and allowed to cool. This process is repeated for desired results. The shank, made from bras, is then torch soldered on the back of each item. After the firing and soldering is complete, the pendant is then treated with an acid solution known as a “pickle” to remove fire scale and polish the copper, neutralized in a baking soda solution, and then rinsed clean of chemicals. The final process is a pass with a file and sandpaper to polish, and then a lacquer is applied to protect the copper from developing a patina, and your skin from turning green on contact with the metal. All of my enamels are lead-free. The pendants and ornaments are finished with a copper jump ring, and presented with a black polished hemp cord that can be easily replaced with a favorite chain.
I named this one "Libertas" after the Roman Goddess of Liberty. Sure, she is boasting the Red, White, and Blue of the USA, but ALSO France, where wearing the colors of the flag on a cockade was popular during the Revolution. The deeper red and lighter blue, flanked with the opalescent white, helps detract from the patriotism and mellow the mood.
NOTE: Each pendant or ornament is one of a kind and made with my own two hands. As such, unique flaws are a natural product of the process. This is not a machine-made or mass-produced item from a Chinese factory. I personally prep, wire, fire, pickle, polish, and package each of my pieces. Each pendant or ornament requires three to five hours of work from start to finish. The price reflects this process, and the cost of materials.
While I do the very best I can in getting an accurate representation of each piece using natural light when I take my photographs, your monitor may show colors differently than they appear in person.
All items are placed on a recycled craft paper card, protected with a cellophane bag, and shipped in a burlap gift bag. (Bag color may vary.)
A copper shape is initially transformed into jewelry by being coated with a layer of fusing clear or foundation white enamel. After that cools, wires are carefully placed to create the cloisons, or cells, to hold the colored enamel, which is wet-packed into place. Once the wet enamel dries, the copper is fired in my kiln to vitrify, then removed, and allowed to cool. This process is repeated for desired results. The shank, made from bras, is then torch soldered on the back of each item. After the firing and soldering is complete, the pendant is then treated with an acid solution known as a “pickle” to remove fire scale and polish the copper, neutralized in a baking soda solution, and then rinsed clean of chemicals. The final process is a pass with a file and sandpaper to polish, and then a lacquer is applied to protect the copper from developing a patina, and your skin from turning green on contact with the metal. All of my enamels are lead-free. The pendants and ornaments are finished with a copper jump ring, and presented with a black polished hemp cord that can be easily replaced with a favorite chain.
I named this one "Libertas" after the Roman Goddess of Liberty. Sure, she is boasting the Red, White, and Blue of the USA, but ALSO France, where wearing the colors of the flag on a cockade was popular during the Revolution. The deeper red and lighter blue, flanked with the opalescent white, helps detract from the patriotism and mellow the mood.
NOTE: Each pendant or ornament is one of a kind and made with my own two hands. As such, unique flaws are a natural product of the process. This is not a machine-made or mass-produced item from a Chinese factory. I personally prep, wire, fire, pickle, polish, and package each of my pieces. Each pendant or ornament requires three to five hours of work from start to finish. The price reflects this process, and the cost of materials.
While I do the very best I can in getting an accurate representation of each piece using natural light when I take my photographs, your monitor may show colors differently than they appear in person.
All items are placed on a recycled craft paper card, protected with a cellophane bag, and shipped in a burlap gift bag. (Bag color may vary.)