Amy Roper Lyons teaches two- to five-day workshops around the US, and offers private lessons in her studio in New Jersey. 

Enameling topics include cloisonné and plique a jour; goldsmithing topics include texturing metal, hydraulic press forming, stone-setting for enamelists, and CAD for plique a jour frameworks. Upcoming classes are posted below. Please contact her at amy@amyroperlyons.com for information, or to book a private class in Amy’s New Jersey studio.

2026-2027 Workshop Schedule:

Sep. 3-7, 2026 - Plique a Jour in 3D - 5 day intensive 3D Plique A Jour workshop - Craft Guild of Dallas, Carrollton, TX

We will be making small plique a jour bowls in this in-person class! We’ll break the technique down into a clear step-by-step method, revealing tips and tricks that demystify this beautiful art. Using fine silver wire and eutectic solder, students will fabricate a 3 dimensional framework. The enamels will then be suspended in the openings of the filigree, and fired without a backing, the physics of surface tension holding the molten glass in place. Some prior soldering experience is recommended. https://app.amilia.com/store/en/craftguild/shop/activities/6706949

Jun. 13-18, 2027 - Plique a Jour Enameling: Soldered Wire Method - John C. Campbell Folk School

Master the art of plique à jour, one of enameling's most breathtaking and captivating techniques in this 5-day intensive. Using the soldered wire method, you’ll construct an intricate framework of fine silver filigree, then enamel the openings to achieve the luminous, jewel-like quality of stained glass. Fired without a backing, only surface tension holds the molten glass in place while in the furnace. Learn to fabricate and solder the framework, apply enamels, build smooth color gradients within the cells, and fire with confidence. Walk away with a stunning pendant or pair of earrings. Whether you are brand new to enameling or looking to level up your craft, this course will leave you with new skills and inspiration. All levels welcome, but some soldering experience is helpful. https://folkschool.configio.com/search?st_t=2077&st_ti=2473&cid=2527&pg=1

Plique a Jour - Soldered Wirework Method: Hosted on Merry-Lee Rae’s Online Classroom - **ONLINE VIDEO COURSE

Explore the luminous, exciting technique of plique-à-jour at your own pace, in your own studio! This online workshop is a series of 17 videos, which cover the plique a jour technique step by step. Students will construct and solder a wire filigree framework of fine silver and fill the openings with transparent enamel, resulting in a stained-glass effect. Fired without a backing, only the physics of surface tension holds the molten glass in place. The workshop will cover the fabrication of the framework, the application of the enamel, special procedures for successful firing, and methods for finishing the work. Students will complete a pair of earrings. Beginners will gain an introduction to an exciting medium, and more experiences students will deepen their understanding. Students can ask questions and get feedback from Amy in a private Facebook group for class participants. (This is a subscription-based site, and a really great value. Signing up gives you access to over twenty in-depth workshops including my plique a jour course, plus a terrific series of cloisonné workshops by master enamelist Merry-Lee Rae, and classes on mason stains, underglazes and other topics.) You can sign up here: https://merryleerae.thinkific.com/bundles/membership?ref=e24a0c

If you have interest in having me teach for your school or guild, please contact me. Potential topics include:

Techniques For Enriching Cloisonné Enameling: Adding Texture, Pattern and Markings

Unlock the art of cloisonné, adding depth, intricacy, and personality to your designs. Learn the essentials of wire bending and wet packing and also sample some more advanced techniques to infuse texture, pattern, and markings into your cloisonné creations. Explore texturing the base metal, utilizing textured foils, achieving a seamless color gradient, adding inlayed opaque enamels as accents, experimenting with underglaze and diamond burs for mark making, incorporating foils to create a sense of depth, and much more. Playfulness and experimentation are encouraged as you use these techniques to bring your unique vision to life in a cloisonné piece.

Plique-a-Jour: Soldered Wire Framework

Plique-a-jour is one of the most exciting and seductive of enameling techniques.  This 5-day workshop will break it down into a clear step-by-step method, revealing tips and tricks that demystify this beautiful art. Using fine silver wire and eutectic solder, students will fabricate a framework.  The enamels will then be suspended in the openings of the filigree, and fired without a backing, the physics of surface tension holding the molten glass in place. We will cover the fabrication of the framework, including methods for working in 3D. We will then walk through the application of the enamel, procedures for successful firing, and methods for finishing the work. Students will complete one or more plique a jour projects. Beginners will gain an introduction to an exciting medium, and more experienced students will deepen their understanding.   

CAD For Enamelists: An Introduction to Rhino 3D

Open up a whole new world of possibilities by harnessing the power of the computer for your designs.  Learn to create filigree ready for plique a jour enameling, or beautiful and unique settings that will transform your enamels into finished jewelry pieces, all using CAD software. No metal skills required! Especially tailored for enamelists, this course will cover the basics needed to go from concept to finished 3D drawing, ready to print out and cast.  Students will work through a series of defined projects introducing them to the commands and tools of Rhino 3D software, as well as a final project they design themselves.  Information on how to have the computer-generated files printed in wax or resin, and cast in metal, will be covered.  

Basse-Taille Enameling & Tab Setting: Textures under transparent enamel and no-solder settings!

Learn a quick and effective technique for creating a luminous and elegant basse taille enamel over fine silver, and then build a simple contemporary setting using tabs, no soldering required! We will cover texturing and preparing the metal for enameling, creating smooth color gradients, and using foil to add interest. Several different tab settings will be demonstrated, many requiring no soldering to complete. Adding findings, like pendant bails and pin backs, using only tabs will also be covered.