Hali Baykov

Enameller
I trained at St.Martin's School of Art in Graphic Design and worked in advertising as a Visualiser/Designer. After I married I had the opportunity to study at Sir John Cass. There I did a general course in jewellery making followed by the more specialised City and Guild course in Diamond Mounting, this is the technique of preparing high class mounts ready for setting with precious stones. This has been a great help in constructing my work to take account of the problems that can arise when enamelling complicated pieces at the high temperature needed to fuse glass on metal.
I also studied engraving and chasing. Engraved and textured metal reflects light and gives life to enamelled work. Having studied setting I often use stones, both precious and semi precious to complement the enamel colours of my work.

When starting on a new design I make detailed sketches of something that inspired me: e.g. a flower followed by working drawings of the best way of making it. When a piece is ready to apply the enamel,  I first  grind the enamel , which is glass with different oxides, in water using a pestle and mortar and, after throughly washing it, I wet lay it in several thin coats, firing it in a kiln after each layer. I like to use different colours over each other to give subtle effects. When the required depth is reached I grind the enamel to level it and then high-fire it at about 1000C. I finish the work by polishing first with pumice followed by polishing compounds, depending on the finish required. After this the work is ready for assembling.

Another technique I often use is Plique-a-jour. Here the enamel is gradually built up in the open spaces between the metal to give a translucent effect similar to stained glass. This again requires many firings and care in application.

When I make a piece of jewellery I hope that it will be considered a work of art and will be displayed when it is not being worn. To achieve this I try to make it three dimensional, with plenty of movement, either in shape or in construction. Nature is a never ending inspiration to me.

My work is available from the Surrey Guild of Craftsmen Gallery at Milford in Surrey.