It has been so hot here the past few days. SO hot. It is stifling in the kiln studio (of course, the kiln studio is an old garage with no A/C and a kiln firing at 1600º+). But I love it – the heat, the sweat, the work, and, at the end of the day, holding finished, vibrant, colorful pieces in my hand. I thought I would start documenting these processes more in photos.

First up: the Ginkgo Earrings:

* Ginkgo sketches, cut into a template, traced onto copper sheet. . .

* The cut, filed, hammered, and pierced shape. . .

* Forming the ginkgo leaf on the dap block. . .

* Sifting the enamel onto the leaves, and loading them onto the trivet. . .

* Inside the kiln, as the enamel is fusing (at which point the iPhone nearly melted taking this shot). . .

* Results of the first firing as they cool (they will be fired and counter-fired at least 4 more times). . .

* A finished pair. . .

See more about the ginkgos here.

Hope you’re staying cool in your part of the world! xo