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Teresa Whitney
"Butterfly Necklace"
(Pendant)
(Chain)
Enamel, silver cloisonne wire, sterling silver,
and fine silver
Fabrication, lost wax cast, and cloisonne
with bezel setting

"This was my first large project with enamels and I wanted to create a necklace that incorporated the techniques I had recently learned in class and experiment with a few new ones as well. I enjoy using vivid colors in my work and a butterfly seemed like the ideal design to explore a range of transparent and opaque enamels. I etched the fine silver base prior to applying the cloisonnŽ wires to create sheen under the enamel layers. I chose to work in tones of blues because I felt they would compliment the silver well and I gave the wings vivid orange-red points to make them pop out from the blue field. I experimented with opaque and transparent enamels to create a range of depth between colors and unique blending within the cells.

I designed the collar pieces to taper back to help transition the weight and size of the jewel along a smooth and increasingly delicate line. I worked in a floral cloisonné pattern in similar tones to the butterfly jewel to further aid the transition. I made the jump ring chain and post clasp of a similar size to the jump rings connecting the collar to the bezel setting. My intent was to create constituency between the front and back of the piece and to decrease the risk of bulk. The butterfly body was cast in sterling silver using the lost wax process and hand riveted to the bezel base. The curve to the body was intentional; I wanted to give the piece a sense of life and movement."