BIOGRAPHY
Heather enamels in her shed at home in Thirsk and has been enamelling since retirement. She has always been a life-long learner and her reading material on holiday is usually a book on enamelling.
Enamelling is a Heritage Craft and is usually created with copper, silver or steel and vitreous enamel (glass) and fired in a kiln or with a blow torch at around 815 degrees centigrade.
Her work comprises of enamel jewellery, metalsmithing and copper bowls which shows the natural beauty of glass and colour. She also has a five foot swallow panel at the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park at Ripon showing how diverse enamelling can be and is continually developing new designs and ideas working at present on the Industrial landscape and social history of the North of England as enamel panels.
Each piece developed is a one off as the kiln determines the result. Her love of enamelling will continue as in her own words “I will never master enamelling”. Her love of colour is throughout her work and her metalsmithing allows her to create unique pieces.
She believes in sharing her knowledge and regularly holds workshops in North Yorkshire and runs an Enamel Club to ensure that the skill of enamelling is not lost. She loves that every person given the same materials will come up with their own unique design.
For her Art should bring Joy. Both in the admiration of a piece and in the making.
An exploration with fire metal and glass
Handmade in my workshop in Thirsk on the edge of the Hambleton Hills in North Yorkshire. I take inspiration from Nature and the People I meet. I love colour - an amazing Azure Blue or a Spring Green on a white background can remind you of so many wonderful holidays and experiences.
I use recycled materials - some of my glass is over 50 years old and my hallmarking (where required) is through the Edinburgh Assay Office so quality is guaranteed.
I am a member of Heritage Craft and the Guild of Enamellers. Giving a gift to yourself or another is individual and by investing in my work you enable a heritage craft to continue.
I like to share my knowledge and see people burst with pride when they see what they have created. In the Scottish Borders I taught students and teachers from Selkirk High School and the school now incorporates enamelling in their Art Curriculum portfolio as a permanent addition. I do workshops to share my skills so it would be good to meet you.
Today, my greatest joy is passing this heritage craft on to others. In just two years, I’ve introduced over 500 people to the art at workshops, and I continue to host a monthly Enamel Club Workshop at Rural Arts in Thirsk. There is something magical about watching a student’s face light up when they realize a piece can fire in just one to three minutes—the ultimate instant gratification.
My Work & Inspiration:
* Materials: I work with steel, copper, silver, and recycled materials to create everything from delicate jewelry and bowls to large-scale panels.
* Style: Deeply inspired by nature and color, my work leans toward the abstract.
* Notable Pieces: My largest project to date is a five-foot Swallow panel, currently installed at the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park near Ripon.
Enamelling is a lifelong apprenticeship; it is a complex dance of metal and vitreous glass that I will never truly "master," and that is exactly why I love it. I am constantly experimenting, forever chasing the next design.
Commissions
I specialise in Viking Rune commissions for silver rings and bangles with your inscription giving a personal message unique to the recipient or just their name. 21 letters including spaces.
