How are Konyssa jewellery made?
Some say that jewellery shall be made for as long as many lives so they will stand the test of time. For this the thorough design and creation is a must. We must precisely know the technical processes. Enamelling is a continuous experiment, gaining experience, therefore it takes a lot of time but it is a great challenge. Preparing the object to be enamelled, the enamel experiments, the final grinding and polishing all take time.
Most of my works are decorated using enamel techniques. Hot enamel is a fragile, glass-like material. During the process two different materials, metal (usually copper, silver and gold) and enamel are melted together at very high temperature. So enamelling is to cover metal with glass.
Enamelling covers a wide variety of techniques such as enamel paint, goldsmith enamel and crafts enamel. I mainly use goldsmith enamel techniques, namely cloisonné enamel, filigree enamel, champlevé enamel and a’jour enamel. For these, both goldsmith and enamel techniques and knowledge have to be used. The metal base, the preparation of the goldsmith work and the enamelling are all done with hand.
Émail en filigrane / filigree enamel
compartments are formed using two round wires that are stranded.
Émail en filigrane / filigree enamel
compartments are formed using two round wires that are stranded.
Émail cloisonné / cloisonné enamel
thin, flat metal stripes are fixed onto the base. These form the compartments which can be filled with enamel.
Émail champlevé / champlevé enamel
a hollow is created in the base (carving, milling, soldering) that can be filled with enamel.
Émail champlevé / champlevé enamel
a hollow is created in the base (carving, milling, soldering) that can be filled with enamel.
Plique a jour / a’jour enamel
the enamel is applied in cells, but with no backing in the final product, so light can shine through the transparent or translucent enamel. It is in effect a miniature version of stained-glass.
Combined techniques
I experience with combining these techniques within one single object. Whenever possible I pull the dreamt composition out of the 2 dimensional flat surface. When enamelling these complex, multi-piece objects with curved surfaces I always face new situations to solve. It makes the design and creation so exciting for me.
Combined techniques
I experience with combining these techniques within one single object. Whenever possible I pull the dreamt composition out of the 2 dimensional flat surface. When enamelling these complex, multi-piece objects with curved surfaces I always face new situations to solve. It makes the design and creation so exciting for me.
Alternative materials
I always try to find and use new and even newer materials (wood, for example). With these I extend the limits of goldsmith and enamel techniques to create the most expressive objects possible. During the creation of the “My way” pendant I used the wood of acacia. Acacias symbolize rebirth and the initiation into secret knowledge. The pendant helps to renew the professional life, protects against possible danger and gives strength to accomplish plans and fight doubt.
Sludge and fold forming
Sometimes even the planning soul needs to relax and improvise. For this the enamel sludge and the fold forming techniques are perfect for me. You grab the material and you start to form it. The result is surprise!
Sludge and fold forming
Sometimes even the planning soul needs to relax and improvise. For this the enamel sludge and the fold forming techniques are perfect for me. You grab the material and you start to form it. The result is surprise!