Cloisonné Enameling with Opalescent Depth: An Advanced Workshop with Darci Shea
Friday, October 31, 2025; 10:00AM - 5:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Saturday, November 1, 2025; 10:00AM - 5:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Sunday, November 2, 2025; 10:00AM - 5:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
In Person
Cost: $690
SOLD OUT! Click here to sign up for the waiting list or see below for other workshop dates.
Online
Cost: $675
SOLD OUT! Click here to sign up for the waiting list or see below for other workshop dates.
Step into a world of iridescence, depth, and wonder. This advanced cloisonné class invites experienced enamel artists to explore the ethereal realm of opalescent enamels- both leaded and unleaded- as we push the boundaries of light, color, and storytelling in enamel.
Taught by cloisonné artist Darci Shea, the course dives deeply into techniques that give your work a glowing, otherworldly quality. Known for her vibrant, nature-inspired narrative pieces, Darci will guide students through the delicate steps of working with opalsecent enamel to evoke atmosphere, emotion, and luminosity in each layer.
Throughout the workshop, we'll explore how to:
- Harness the iridescent effects of opalescent enamels for visual depth and light play.
- Properly test, fire, and layer leaded and unleaded opalescent along with transparent enamels
- Create test plates to understand transparency, compatibility, and enamel reactions
- Form shaped silver blanks using a hydraulic press or vise with a custom plexiglass die
- Use of gold and silver foils, mason stains, and painting enamels
- Design composition and intentional wire placement for shimmer effects
- Final finishing, stoning, and polishing for optical clarity
- Safety practices and procedures including working with leaded enamels
Students will be guided in design planning color mapping, and metal preparation with a focus on how enamel and lights work together to create movement and mood.
This course is ideal for artists with prior cloisonné experience who want to refine their craftsmanship and visual language to achieve more dimensional results.
All students will be required to come up with detialed color-based designs for the class ahead of time and will present those to the instructor two weeks prior to class for instructor approval and conversation.
This course is available as an in-person workshop or 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.
Tools
Classes at our school include use of basic tools, with each student having their own bench to use during class. Students will need to bring the following items from their previous class. Feel free to contact us with any questions and see your registration email for some additional information, including a list of the tool with links in case you need to pruchase any of the items.
- Respirator with P100 cartridges
- 2/0 or 3/0 watercolor brush
- Large blank making brush
- Glass petri dishes
- CMC
- Scooper/spoon
- Glass stirring rod
- Glass dropper
- Enamel containers
- Tweezers
- Precision scissors
- Notebook
- Glass for washing enamel
Tools Required for Online Students
This is a list of tools online students need to practice the techniques shown in class, most of them you should have from your previous 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.
- Respirator with P100 cartridges
- Kiln safety glasses
- Kiln (properly calibrated)
- Access to a hydraulic press or large bench vise
- 2/0 or 3/0 watercolor brush
- Sifters (60, 100 mesh)
- Large blank making brush
- Glass petri dishes
- CMC
- Scooper/spoon
- Glass stirring rod
- Glass dropper
- Enamel containers
- Tweezers
- Precision scissors
- Notebook
- Glass for washing enamel
- Trivet
- Firing rack
- Firing fork
- Dawn dish soap
- Toilet paper
- Distilled water
- Grinding pads
- Glass brush
- Opalescent enamels
- Transparent enamels for your design
- Transparent and hard fusing fluxes
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:
Prior cloisonne experience with Darci Shea Bogdan and kiln firing experience. Students must have a kiln for firing.
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.
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.
Upcoming Schedule
| Date & Times | Register |
| Fri. Oct 31, 10AM - 5PM PT (Pacific Time), Sat. Nov 1, 10AM - 5PM PT (Pacific Time), Sun. Nov 2, 10AM - 5PM PT (Pacific Time) | In Person Class Sold Out |