Phillipa Gee Enamel Jewellery

Phillipa Gee

Phillipa utilises the age old technique of enamelling her distinctive jewellery. We asked her a few questions about her creative process.

Phillipa Gee

Phillipa utilises the age old technique of enamelling her distinctive jewellery. We asked her a few questions about her creative process.

What first led you to utilising enamel as a material?

I loved that enamelling introduced colour to jewellery; and that it could be applied to different shapes. This meant I could use it in a wide variety of designs.

YOUR DESIGNS AND FEATURES OF YOUR JEWELLERY ARE BEAUTIFULLY ECLECTIC. ARE YOU FAIRLY ORGANIC IN YOUR PROCESS, OR DO YOU DETERMINE THE DESIGN FROM THE GET GO?

Sometimes the material suggests the design to me; once I know its attributes all these ideas pop into my head. Then often I’ll get another idea part way through making it, so I can go straight to the next one. Other times I might see an object or texture and that is the inspiration for the next piece.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS GENERALLY TAKE WHEN CREATING ENAMEL JEWELLERY? IS THERE A SET TIME THE ENAMEL NEEDS TO CURE?

Enamelling is quite a time consuming process; test pieces need to be done and there are a few constraints. The metal needs to be a certain thickness and shape; then the enamel is put on in layers depending on the kind of look I'm going for. I use a torch to do some pieces and a kiln for the others. As enamel is a mixture of glass and other compounds it needs to be heated to a high temperature to melt.

Colour is a huge aspect of the enamel jewellery. How do go about choosing the stunning range of vibrant colour for each work?

I purchased a lot of different colours a few years ago; so I have a lot to choose from. Because I love colour I’m always looking for good colour combinations.

IF THERE IS ONE FUN AND SURPRISING FACT YOU COULD SHARE ABOUT ENAMEL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

It’s a very old process; the oldest examples date back to the 13 century BC!

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR ITEM OF JEWELLERY YOU ESPECIALLY LOVE TO CREATE?

Probably necklaces are my favourite; when you wear a big, colourful, beautiful necklace you are really making a statement.