Sifting glass enamel onto earrings.
Screen printing a pattern in enamel.
ENAMELING PROCESS
Each piece of enamel jewelry is handcrafted with love and care for you by Iris Willow in her studio in the Mission district of San Francisco. The jewelry begins as copper metal that she cuts, shapes, files, drills with holes and cleans before applying vitreous enamel to it to give it its lush color.
Iris uses non-leaded powdered glass enamel so your jewelry is always safe for you. She sifts this glass enamel onto the surface and then fuses it to the copper by kiln-firing the piece at a toasty 1500°. She then repeats this process on the reverse to fuse a layer of glass enamel to each side of the piece for a smooth feel of the jewelry on your skin. She often applies additional layers of enamel to achieve the perfect color combination to compliment you.
The enamel jewelry in the Patterns Collection features original organic and geometric designs that Iris silk screen prints onto the surface in enamel. The pieces are then fired again to fuse these designs to the surface. These striking patterns will really make you stand out.
Iris uses fine silver rivets to combine two or more enameled pieces together in the Fan and Triangles Collections to create a unique look that you'll love.
After enameling, Iris sands and polishes all the edges of the enameled pieces for a smooth, professional finish you'll feel great wearing. The earrings are completed with sterling silver ear wires so only sterling silver touches your skin. The necklaces are finished with sterling silver or gold-filled chains.
Drilling holes in copper triangles.
Riveting a Fan enamel earring.
ARTIST VIDEO
Check out this video interview with Iris Willow in her studio to learn more about her process.
Video was filmed by Ben Jungjareon. You can check out his video and photography work here.