Merry-Lee Rae's Classroom

Table of Contents Merry-Lee’s Online Classroom

Workshops by Visiting Enamel Goddesses.  In the beginning of the visiting Goddess Series I just wanted to share other techniques by my talented friends.  And then it became so much more as I began documenting the lifework of these amazing artists.  I will continue to do what I can to preserve the techniques for the coming generations.

Martha Banyas, my dear departed friend, left us so incredibly much fabulous information.  We had no idea when we started filming this that she would be gone in just a couple short years.

-The Perfect Surface- In this workshop, Martha carefully demonstrated how to achieve a perfect Opaque white surface on copper.  It is a prerequisite to the Coat and the Mask.  FREE Access.  1 ½  hours of video instruction complete with worksheets and written information.

-The Coat- This wonderful workshop will take you through the process that Martha pioneered with Mason Stains and underglazes.  3 hours 45 minutes of priceless instruction straight from Martha to you.

-The Mask-   Martha continues your journey Demystifying Underglazes in this workshop.  Over 4 hours of video instruction plus all the goodies!

-Blackboard-   Just a few months before Martha passed away she made the journey to California one last time to document her research and experiments on using Blackboard over steel as an enameling canvas.   This workshop is more like a lecture series as there are no guided projects. 3 hours  

-I have created a couple of guided projects to help you get started using this wonderful material. 1.5 hours

Darci Shea Bogdan- Join this amazing your woman as she shows you how she has pioneered combining Mason Stains with Cloisonne.  3 ½ hours of demos and instruction.  Darci and I are planning a follow up workshop, stay tuned!

Amy Roper Lyons- Super talented cloisonne artist and Plique A Jour master!  I am delighted to announce that Amy has now documented soldered wirework Plique for the future of enameling.  This has been nearly a lost art over the last century and it is so important to not have the technical information be guarded and hidden from view.   We have created two workshops with Amy now.

Fiddlefern earrings in Soldered Plique A Jour.  Comprehensive instruction on creating the metal framework and enameling using capillary attraction. 3 ½ hours of video instruction.  

-3-D Plique A Jour Bowl- Soldered wirework technique.  We broke this into two separate workshops, first Creating the Metal Framework (6 hours) and second, Enameling the 3-D -Plique A Jour Bowl using Capillary Attraction. (3 ½ hours)  This workshop is a groundbreaking achievement and I am so grateful to Amy and also my husband Gary who is the videographer and editor, making this all possible.

Sarah Perkins!   I am so honored to be able to present Sarah to you.  I have been enamored by her stunning work for decades.  Her skill as an enamellist and metalsmith are matched by her teaching abilities and her presentation of this material is something to be proud of.  We split this into two workshops.

-Raising Copper Vessels with over 3 hours of video instruction.  How to forge a vessel from a flat sheet and also how to modify a pre spun copper form to make it uniquely your own.  

-Enameling a Copper Vessel Sarah takes you on a guided study of enameling a vessel form and takes the mystery out of creating a flawless basecoat.  She then builds layers of richness and explores her favorite techniques with you. 3 hours of video instruction.

Jan Harrell coming soon!

Cloisonne workshops by Merry-Lee

Waterlily- I call this my Cloisonne 101 as it was the first workshop published on this site and is the best place for a beginner to find their way into this amazing world of enameling with cloisonne as a guide.  You don’t need any experience to start her as everything is demonstrated and explained.  Waterlily 101 includes templates, supply lists and  2 ½ hours of video instructions.

Simone- The Simone workshop builds on the information presented in Waterlily Workshop and introduces additional materials and techniques to increase your knowledge and understanding of the medium.  Simone includes templates, supply lists and 4 hours of video instructions.  Don’t miss the bonus module Setting an Irregular Shape which will help you to create a setting for Simone.

Opalescent Magnolia- Taming the Diva of a true opalescent enamel is purely the art of engaging science to create magic.  You will need to up your level of control over the medium for this workshop.  The rules become more exacting and I will show you exactly how to secede with this illusive enamel.  Magnolia workshop includes templates, supply lists and  4 hours of video instructions including instructions on calibrating your kiln perfectly.

Opalescent Wisteria- This is an advanced workshop to further your opalescent expertise.  In actuality it was the first opalescent workshop we filmed but is very involved and pushes you to your limits.  There are actually two pieces to make in this workshop.   Do Magnolia first, it is a softer introduction.  .  The Wisteria workshop includes templates, supply lists and  7 hours of video instructions including instructions on calibrating your kiln perfectly.

Exploring Skintones- I really love this workshop and all of the nuanced instruction it includes.   This is an advanced workshop as well and will bring you to another level in your cloisonne expertise.  At the end, there is a guided study of broadening your skintone study further and customizing the material.   The Exploring Skintones workshop includes templates, supply lists and  5 hours of video instructions including instructions advanced shading techniques.

Dutch Iris- This workshop is in response to the many requests to add more content that supports the less experienced students.  It will be a nice gentle experience.  The Dutch Iris Workshop includes templates, supply lists and  over 2 hours of video instructions including instructions on achieving the illusive magenta tones.

Embracing Copper for Cloisonne-  Copper is such a beautiful metal and is highly underrated in the world of contemporary cloisonne. There are some rules specific to copper and I will guide you through this new experience.  With the price of silver hitting new highs, copper may finally be getting the attention it deserves!  Embracing Copper workshop includes templates, supply lists and over 3 hours of video instructions on eliminating the risk of having your silver wirework disappear into the enamel!

Plique A Jour Piercework Method- Plique a Jour is a fascinating enameling technique combining metalworking expertise with enameling precision.  You probably think this is harder than it looks!  Let me take the worry out of it and invite you for the fun!   Plique a Jour workshop includes templates, supply lists and  3 1/2 hours of video instructions including instructions on how to use a Potter Die.

Other tutorials and bonus help from Merry-Lee

A Perfect Silver Blank- I think this might be the most valuable information in the Online Classroom.  If your blanks are not perfect, it is just the beginning of the disappointment you might experience.  There is free access to this material, no Subscription Membership is necessary. Loads of written tips and a couple hours of video instruction.  FREE Access!

Tips and Tricks- This is a pretty extensive collection of miscellaneous help and hacks and also is free to access, no Membership Subscription to access. It includes a section on

1. Foil Fun- Embossing foil with or without elaborate equipment, Making your own impression die, Annealing foil in the kiln and perforating foil.
2. Downloadable color charts featuring Nihon Shippo and Hirosawa as well as a color cross reference chart.
3. Making your own cloisonne wire accurately.
4. The Trivet Hack this is such a simple solution to so many problems.
5. The Fiberglass Brush Hack- how to make your glass brush last for decades and more importantly how to minimize the occurrence of those painful slivers.
6. Programming your SC2 Paragon easily.
7. Why do Tests?- Exploration of Mason Stains looking for suitable substrates and sealants.
8. Fabricating a simple sterling setting for your cloisonne piece.  This could be a stand alone workshop.
9. Microcrystalline Hack.
10.  Warpage Remedy Hack, whether you are alone or a team.  Everyboby needs to know this.
11. Making gold or silver granules.
12. Laying the Mermaid’s scales.

Mastering Color- I love this ongoing series as it gives me the opportunity to answer so many important questions.

1. Graduating Shading with Transparents
2. Drilling out areas to create a hard line
3. Shading using opaques
4. Building richness by color layering
5. Taming the Goddess Purple
6. Taming Pinks and Reds
7. Taming Oranges and Hot Reds

Tool Time-  FREE Access 

1. The amazing Hot Shot Kiln, perfect for enamelists.
2. Polishing an enamel surface using aluminum oxide.
3. Mini Microscope by Koolertron
4. Kate Wolf’s Positioning Clay
5. Sifter End Caps
6. Retractable Fiber Glass Brush
7. Avoiding Disaster with a very simple tool.
8. Drying your wirework made easy.
9. Deluxe wooder dapping set
10. Harlan’s very cool bending jig

Metal Smithing Help- FREE Access

1. Gold Bezel Wire
2. Making your own cloisonne wire
3. Using Tuff Brake
4. Soldering sterling without firescale  

Creating a Cloisonne Watchdial- FREE Access  Watchmaker Celeste and Merry-Lee team up to help you make your own watchdial.  A follow up tutorial is being planned currently.

Setting an Irregular Shape- This tutorial uses the kitty from the Simone Workshop to demonstrate the particular techniques used for setting an irregular shape.  FREE Access!

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