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 bookings office at: [email protected]
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Included
- The workshop is equipped with most of the consumables that are needed, such as solvents, etching resists and solutions and has pestle and mortars.
What students need to bring
- You should supply your own silver or purchase it from the College Shop. The tutor is happy to discuss your possible requirements regarding thickness, etc. before the beginning of the course.
- You are encouraged to bring your own enamels that you are familiar with.
- 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
- Available from shop:
- Silver can be purchased from the College Shop, which stocks a range of sheet, wire, rod, tube and findings. These will be available in set sizes and lengths, suitable for a wide range of projects.
- Available from tutor:
- 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.
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.
