An Afternoon with
Pearly Karpel
Enameled Copper
Saturday, July 24, 2021
From the Israeli Silicone Valley to Lampwork Art – Capturing beauty in a capsule.
Pearly Karpel says “All my life, I have loved colors, and I have worked with many different crafts. I am a qualified software and chemical engineer, but after more than 15 years in that profession and bringing up three children, I fulfilled my dream and turned my hobby into my full-time job.”
Pearly has been a glass and enamel artist since 2005, taking classes all over the world. Now that she has realized her dream job, her hobby has developed over the years to include her own enameling supply shop. She has developed special enamel, special tools, products and her own techniques.
Enameling is fusing powdered glass to a substrate using a gas torch or kiln. The large variety of available enamel colors and transparency allows for infinite designs, effects, and textures.
In her demo, she will show us her love of enamel, as well as different enamel designs and techniques; for example – how to fuse enamel powders, how to add pigments, how to use decals, how to add murrini and glass, how to use stencils, and demonstrate the tools that are needed for enameling.
Pearly tells us we will be amazed by the beautiful pieces we can make and the endless design options we can create.
Enameling has become very popular in the past few years. When Pearly teaches an enameling course, she gives her students all of the information required to create their own magic by making striking enameled elements to be used in their jewelry.
After the Demo Update!
(If you missed it, remember that members can watch the recorded demo on the Facebook Members’ Page, check it out! And if you aren’t a member but would like to be, visit the Membership page)
Pearly has a wealth of knowledge on the subject of enameling copper, and we are so grateful that she was kind enough to share that knowledge with us. When she began working with enamels and copper, Pearly had a hard time finding the supplies and tools she needed – so she created her own!
Pearly also developed her own methods for using those supplies and tools to create beautiful enameled pieces. She also created tools to make manipulating the designs she puts on her copper blanks easier, and demonstrated some of the ways to use them. She generously shared with us the knowledge that she has gained.
Pearly showed us the varied methods she employs in order to successfully add her enamels to the copper. One trick she showed us is enameling the backs of her copper blanks to prevent problems after decorating the front with enamels and glass. Some of her pieces are fired with a small torch to melt the enamel, for others, she uses a kiln. When Pearly adds glass to her pieces, she anneals them to ensure that a piece won’t crack or flake later.
She has a class coming up on the horizon, but in the meantime, Pearly urged us to contact her if we have questions. She also mentioned that signing up for her newsletter will get us a generous one-time discount.
Thank you Pearly, for sharing your time and expertise with us!
Visit Pearly’s website to see more of herwork and get information on any classes she may offer. You can also find her on Facebook and Etsy.
If you would like to show some appreciation for her generosity in sharing her skills with us, you can send Pearly something for her tip jar (any amount, large or small is welcome.)
Dragon members have access to this recorded presentation, found on our Facebook Members Group.