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WBM october 2017
PHOTOS BY KEITH KETCHUM COURTESY OF SAMANTHA EVANS
Enameled earrings and cuff bracelets by Samantha Evans.
RUSTIC ROOTS
RIGHTSVILLE BEACH RESIDENTS and
visitors may notice her state-inspired
necklaces, stick earrings, stamped brass
charms or enameled cuffs on the dis-play
shelves of Hallelu, a local women’s
clothing store. Best known for her simplistic, rustic work, Samantha
Evans of Reborn Designs sticks to the basics.
Tiny, light, and with a little pop of color, her pieces can easily be
dressed up or down.
“I think it’s pretty awesome how you can manipulate enamel in
so many different ways,” she says.
Since completing her degree, also from East Carolina University,
Evans has carried on enameling techniques she adopted from the
classroom.
“I think I use it in about 50 percent of my work,” she says.
Though the results are beautiful, there’s an inherent risk in work-ing
with enamel. Since artisans are painting with powdered glass
and water, fine, toxic particles may release while the enamel is still
in its dry state.
“Even the stuff that isn’t lead-based is still a little toxic, so you
have to have it well ventilated and wear a mask,” Evans explains.
While in school, Evans had an instructor who suffered from lead
poisoning as a result of working closely with enamels.
However, lead-based enamels tend to have the brightest and
boldest variety of color options. Regardless, she has cemented her
distinctive style using mostly milder tones.
Much of Evans’ work appears to be “rusted” due to a light, sea
foam-hued enamel painted onto a copper surface.
“Each piece is so different because of the way you brush it on
and the way it decides to fire,” she says. “Some spots will reveal the
copper underneath and that’s the rusty look you see.”