Ginbari Foil Techniques with Gabrielle Castonguay
Ginbari foil is an ancient enamel technique developed by Japanese artists. It is also the name of the thicker silver foil used to make one of a kind or repeated design motifs in silver. These designs show through your transparent enamels and add an extra layer of surface texture and pattern. You can also use it with cloisonné techniques.
With these thicker foils, you can create repeating sophisticated motifs by embossing it. You can create one of a kind designs in the foil to compliment your enamels. And you can push the height of the embossed lines in the foil to even use it to create cells for cloisonné without wires.
Gabrielle will introduce you to ginbari foil and show you how to master this exquisite technique to add texture and detail to your enameling.
This class requires a kiln for firing.
This course is available as a live online class. Please check this page for times and formats available.
Recordings of this class are available for 30 days from the final class session.
A kit of materials is included with this class.
A handout is included with the class. A pdf of the handout is sent to students before the first day of class.
Tools for this Class
Tools Required for Online Students
This is a list of tools online students need to practice the techniques shown in class.
A list of tools with links to recommended suppliers for the best prices will be sent to you after registration. If you have questions about the tool list, please contact us.
- Kiln such as a Paragon SC2
- Mesh firing rack
- Firing fork
- Long tweezers
- Trivets (assorted sizes)
- Tile or steel block for cooling pieces after firing
- Tinted eye protection for looking into the kiln
- Sifters- med./small 80 mesh, and 200 mesh
- Small artist brushes - Sable- not synthetic 3/0, 1/0 and some others you have around.
- To emboss the Ginbari foil you will need several tools/materials to play and explore:
- Bas-reliefs
- Embossing or texture plates with clear cut patterns
- Pieces of jewelry with distinct raised patterns
- Objects made of hard materials like metal, wood, hard plastic etc.
- **One embossing texture is included in your kit**
- A good dust mask or a respirator if you have one.
- Tracing paper or sketchbook and colored pencils (optional)
- Glue stick
- Towel and or apron
- Watercolor tray (plastic or ceramic palette) or a few plastic spoons
- Cutting mat
- Small brush
- Exacto knife
- Pieces of cardboard- will be using as a background to create patterns with wire
- 6” x 6” Mica sheet
- Glossy magazine pages
- Old dish towel (okay to get dirty)
- small 4” -6” wide water bowl (glass, metal, ceramic or sturdy plastic ok)
- Dish soap (like Dawn)
- ScotchBrite style scour pad
- Alundum stone or diapad
- Bench pin
- Saw frame
- 2/0 or 3/0 or 4/0 saw blades
- Note: If you do not know how to saw, you have the option of having us cut up your metal for the class
A computer, phone or tablet to use the free Zoom app for class
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
Prerequisites:
Previous experience with kiln or torch enameling recommended, like successful completion of Enameling 1.
Instructor:
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
There are no requirements regarding COVID at this time.
As always, we clean and disinfect shared tools and benches after each class.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.