Full description

To make this piece I first cleaned the copper dish in a solution of salt and vinegar. I then applied a thin layer of white enamel powder to the inner surface of the dish. I fired the dish in my electric kiln, three minutes at 750 degrees C. I next applied a layer of enamel to the outer surface. This 'counter enamel' includes sweepings of spillages and remainders of discarded powders. It balances the tensions in the piece as the inner, decorated, surface is built up with between five and ten layers, fired and cooled. It takes up to five layers of enamel powder to build a suitable base. At this stage I add a layer of clear enamel, to provide a medium to help the coloured enamel flow more easily, then in this case added a scattering of dark pink inner ring around the centre of the dish and a das of beige in the centre. I fired the piece and when it was at red hot and the colours indistinguishable I drew through rhe surface with an 18 inch steel rod, a wooden handle at one end, a hook bent at a right angle to the shaft and sharpened to a point at the other, to generate the scrolled pattern you see decorating the dish. Could I add to the design? Of course, I could add colours, refire the dish and scroll through thr design again. But I likke the idea of collaboration. I think the design I'm offering works; I hope you do too.