An opportunity for enamellers with experience to review and extend current practice and to learn more about the techniques of champlevé, basse taille and cloisonné on silver.  You will discuss all things enamel to learn and share as we work.

There will be an opportunity to make a guided project of a shallow silver dish, basse taille enamelled inside. You will use techniques such as punches, textured hammers, chisel engraving, etching and burrs to texture the surface of the silver under the enamel, and the Bonny Doon hydraulic press to form the dish.

Alternatively, you may wish to bring your own pre-prepared items to be enamelled or use the time to experiment, practise or learn a new technique to produce a series of enamel test pieces and/or a simple finished piece of jewellery, such as earrings, brooch, pendant or cufflinks.

This course could also suit experienced jewellers wishing to incorporate enamel into their work.

Your tutor encourages an informal chat before the course to find out what you would most like to focus on, in order to gain the most from time spent at the college, especially if you are new to the course. 

Please contact the tutor through the Booking’s Office at: [email protected]
 

Included

West Dean supply:

• Brown parcel tape
• Wet & dry paper
• Studio Safe Orange Solvent
• KlyrFire Vitrum Signum
• Pumice powder
• Rhinds Stop-Out Varnish
• Distilled water
• Washing up liquid
• Acetone
• Meths
• Nitric acid 

Tutor to supply:

• Nail varnish
• Enamels
• Thermo-Loc

What students need to bring

Sketchbook and colour pencils or paints

Any source material for ideas that you may have, such as drawings and photos
It would be useful to come along with some ideas about ways in which you would like to work with the enamel and what qualities the enamel has that particularly attract you.

Any enamelling tools you may have, including a pestle and mortar if you have your own

A basic hand tool kit is available, but please bring any Jewellery hand tools that you may have that would be useful, such as a piercing saw and blades, engraving tools, etc.

A clean large gent’s handkerchief, tea towel or similar absorbent cloth
An apron

Available to buy

Your tutor will bring a small amount of a range of enamel colours for which there is a small charge if used. 

The tutor will also bring a small selection of silver sheet to purchase if needed, including the silver dish project. You must pay the tutor directly for these before the end of the course.

From the Garden Gatehouse Craft Shop: General arts and craft supplies

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toed shoes or sandals. Please tie long hair back.

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

Terms & Conditions