Amy Roper Lyons teaches one- 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.

2024 - 2025 Workshop Schedule:

Dec. 6-8, 2024 - Plique a Jour: Soldered Wire Framework - Craft Guild of Dallas, Carrollton, TX

In this 3 day workshop we will explore the exciting technique of plique a jour. Students will construct and solder a delicate 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. We will learn how to fabricate and solder the framework, apply the enamels, create smooth color gradients in the cells, fire successfully, and methods for finishing the work. Important considerations when designing plique a jour will be discussed. Students will complete a pair of earrings. Beginners will gain an introduction to an exciting medium, and more experienced students will deepen their understanding. Some soldering experience recommended.

Feb. 7-9, 2025 - Cloisonné Enamel Earrings: faux gemstones, basse taille, and tab setting - 92nd Street Y, New York, NY

Join us for an engaging and hands-on workshop where you'll dive into a range of exciting enameling techniques to create your own stunning pair of earrings. We'll begin by texturing the base metal and shaping it using a hydraulic press. From there, you'll explore the fundamentals of cloisonné enameling, including how to expertly blend colors to create smooth, beautiful gradients. In the next step, you'll explore Amy’s unique “faux gemstone” method, which adds the illusion of a gemstone cabochon seamlessly set into the enamel—a technique that's sure to elevate your work. Finally, you'll learn how to tab set your cloisonné pieces to give your earrings a polished and professional finish. By the end of the course, you'll have completed a gorgeous pair of earrings that reflect both your technical skills and creative vision. This class offers a fun yet in-depth learning experience, perfect for anyone eager to explore new enameling techniques in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Mar. 6-10, 2025 - Plique a Jour in 3D - 5 day intensive 3D Plique A Jour workshop at Merry-Lee Rae's studio in on the California Coast

We will be making little plique a jour bowls in this in-person class! We will 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. **SOLD OUT

Apr. 4th & Apr. 11, 2025 - Virtual Plique a Jour Class hosted by Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft

In this 2-session virtual workshop we’ll explore the exciting technique of plique a jour, using the soldered wire method. Learn to construct a framework out of fine silver wire, solder it together, and fill the openings with enamel, resulting in a stained-glass effect. Fired without a backing, only surface tension holds the molten glass in place while in the furnace. All parts of the process will be demonstrated, including bending and soldering the framework, applying the enamels, creating smooth color gradients in cells, firing successfully, and finishing the work. Prior soldering experience is helpful, and access to soldering equipment and an enameling kiln that can be set to fire at a specific temperature are to make the project. Join us in this dynamic virtual workshop and unlock the secrets of plique a jour!

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.)

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.