This looks like an amazing opportunity at Nottingham Trent university for someone with a good science degree who would like to apply their knowledge to studying enamel. It's a funded PhD - the title is:
Here is a link to more details and instructions on how to apply.
Don't miss the next on-line event on the 2nd October, Phil Barnes was an amazing enameller and engraver and will be remembered not only for his stunning work but also for his generosity and passion in sharing his knowledge with others.
This is the first exhibition to focus on the UK’s exceptionally talented contemporary women designer silversmiths. Fifty years ago, it would have been impossible to assemble an exhibition like this, as there were so few women working in the field. What was once a totally male discipline has been transformed within three generations.
One of our members (Tilly Wilkinson) has been to the exhibition and this is one of the photographs she took of work by Cara Murphy:
Works by Guild members Jane Short and Sheila McDonald are also included in the exhibition. Details of the location and dates are here.
Julie Rattray, Jane Ball, Jill Leventon, Jackie Phillips, Jane Sheppard, Harriet Spence
This pyramid is a collaborative piece by six friends, Julie Rattray, Jane Ball , Jill Leventon, Jackie Phillips , Jane Sheppard and Harriet Spence (The Caersws Six).
Various ways of keeping the continuity between all our pieces were discussed. Eventually we decided on the main colours to use and how to maintain the flow between the very different work, with the cut lines carrying over from one piece to the next.
Many thanks to other friends, George Parkinson, who compiled and formatted the booklet, and Russell Parry, who made the supporting pyramid.
Amazingly, we are all still friends!
Harriet Wilson
This is a little box measuring 6 x 7 x 5 cms. It features a flower stall with a single bloom in a flower pot taking centre stage and 6 others joining the show.
The piece is an automaton, the flower in the pot happily pops up, down and round by means of a camshaft inside the box. You can see the workings through a small door in the back. The other flowers are mounted on tensioned steel piano wire which makes them jiggle with excitement when the box is moved.
The box was enamelled with wet process enamel in dry form on the outside and ground coat enamel on the inside. The flowers were riveted and then enamelled with opaques. Floral wafers decorate the centre of the blooms and also feature in the grass at the base. The signs are decals fired onto enamel.
The piece is intended to be colourful and fun as all good flower shows should be.
If you would like to see the piece working follow thi link where you can see a short video.
Jane Short
A wavy beaker, 90mms high, 70mm diameter
Gilded interior . Jane's web site can be found here
Deba McDonald
The design for my brooch was inspired by a photo I once saw by Ansel Adams. The colours I used are completely different from the actual leaves in reality. I love the actual hand engraving, the texturing, colours and it just kind of came together into a brooch I'm proud to have made.
Zoe Slattery
A flower show of three double sided pendants based on images of snowdrop, sweet pea, echinacea and coreopsis. Sterling silver, lightly etched to get the outline and then engraved and textured. Each pendant is 3.5 cm high and 2.5 cm wide.
