Cloisonné and Champlevé Enameling with Sandra McEwen
Let’s add some color to your jewelry! If you love color and/or enjoy painting and want to add some to your jewelry work as an alternative or as a compliment to gemstones, then you’ll want to start planning your trip to Italy to meet Sandra McEwen, an award winning enamel artist who will teach the art of cloisonné and champlevé enameling in sunny Southern Italy.
Cicada necklace
Sandra McEwen wearing her Phoenix necklace
Sandra began her work in illustration which is evident in her beautiful jewelry pieces. She was doing work with leaded glass when she first tried enameling for jewelry for the first time and fell in love. She then continued to specialize in the art form of enameled jewelry and has beautifully mastered the craft of enameling. You can see more of her work on her website.
The 5-day workshop with Sandra McEwen will focus on just two of the many enameling techniques you can do with vitreous enamels - cloisonné and champlevé. Cloisonné enameling uses “cloisons” (cells made of very thin metal) to separate the colors and create linework in the design. Champlevé enameling is created by packing the enamel pigments into recesses in the metal.
examples of student cloisonné works
Our workshop space is limited to only 6 students, so there will be plenty of opportunities for individual attention during our time together. The studio is located in Southern Italy in the countryside approximately 20-30 minutes away from the famous Amalfi Coast area.
The venue is in a quiet neighborhood of a small farming community, so this means there are sometimes farm animals that pass by in the street and that there aren’t stores and shops in the immediate vicinity. Participants are encouraged to book their stay in the nearby agriturismo resort which is located only 5 minutes away on foot. You can find details to contact them below.
What is included:
Access to the studio and all necessary enameling tools during the workshop sessions
Refreshments (drinks and snacks provided during workshop sessions)
Meals include: catered lunches during the 5 workshop days, a welcome dinner the night before we start, and a final pizza party dinner on the last evening
Assistance with transportation once you arrive or for your departure. If you arrive directly to Salerno, we can pick you up from the train station in Salerno or the Amalfi Coast airport. For arrivals to Napoli we can suggest our hired private driver service we use.
Help planning or suggesting other tourist activities in the region (also in Rome if that destination is included in your travel plans).
What to bring:
Sketchbook for drawing and note taking; drawing supplies - pencil, ruler, colored pencils, pens, Sharpie, watercolors, etc. (your preferences), X-acto knife, scissors
Fine silver sheet for your projects - 20 gauge (.9mm) and 22 gauge (.7mm)
Cloisonné wire (26 gauge/0.45mm), silver foil, enamels - Sandra has a student kit available for $95 that includes Japanese leaded enamels, silver foil, cloisonné wire, and some other items. Let us know if you would like to order this ahead of time.
Additional favorite or personalized hand tools. We will have many student tools available, but you may want to bring your own if you have special needs such as an Optivisor with a specific magnification or personalized tools that you feel more comfortable working with. We will provide a checklist with all needed tools upon registration.
Where to stay:
Tenuta d'Amore - agriturismo resort
via Monticelli, 11
San Mango Piemonte, SA 84090 Italy
http://www.tenutadamore.it
Immersed in the countryside, it is located minutes away from our workshop. This beautiful venue has a large swimming pool and a nice breakfast buffet is included. The restaurant is excellent. Participants can walk to our studio in about 5-10 minutes.
Although it isn't necessary for the workshop to have your own transportation, if you do wish to rent a car during your stay to have more freedom to move about in your time off there is ample parking available at the agriturismo.
Additional workshop info:
Airfare and accommodations are not included in the price
We can assist with transfers to your hotel if you arrive to the train station in Salerno on the arrival day. Those arriving on flights to Napoli will need a transfer to Salerno that is not included. Using public services from Napoli airport can be confusing and are not recommended. We are happy to help arrange a trusted private driving service.
There is a newly opened (2024) small airport servicing the Amalfi Coast (Salerno - QSR) and it is much closer to the venue. Airlines serviced here include easyJet, Ryanair, and Volotea. We can assist with transfers from this venue too.
If you arrive earlier or stay later for some touring in the area, we can suggest excursions and help plan activities to venues such as going on a scenic drive on the Amalfi Coast, taking a ferry to Capri, visiting the Greek temples of Paestum, a private boat outing on the Amalfi Coast, and more. If you enjoy hiking, we also have 2 VIP tours that we conduct for either the Path of the Gods or a beautiful waterfall tour through the Valle delle Ferriere from Amalfi.
The workshop classroom and studio workspace is located in a private residence. There are 2 cats who live in the home (in case you have allergies) and the home is multi-level with the main working level on the second floor. There is no elevator, so stairs are necessary (a consideration for those with knee problems). There is a small swimming pool (waist deep) available for anyone who wishes to take a break during the workshop to relax or cool off when it’s hot - bring your swimsuit!
Workshop fee - 1500€ (includes IVA - Italian taxes)
Materials fee - student kit $95 paid to Sandra
deposit - 500€ to confirm your spot
balance due by July 8th