The Guild's Aims
To encourage and promote the craft of enamelling and the work of members
To seek to exert a progressive influence on standards of workmanship and design in enamelling
To foster good public relations and develop links with other crafts
Everyone joins as a Member; no qualifications are required other than an interest in enamelling.
What is vitreous enamelling?
Enamel is glass fused by heat to a metal surface. It is one of the most versatile, long lasting and colourful of all art media and yet at the same time it is one where beautiful results can be obtained almost immediately.
The Guild's History
For the past forty plus years the Guild has dedicated itself to the encouragement and promotion of the art and craft of enamelling, providing opportunities for enamellers in the UK and abroad. With a membership of over 300, which has been growing steadily, anyone can join the Guild and the membership covers a broad spectrum of full time craftspeople, designer makers, trade enamellers and suppliers of enamel materials and equipment.
The Regions
To enable Guild members to make contact with each other, the UK is divided into regions. In each region one member volunteers to act as a representative, helping to organise events, welcoming new members and being a link with the Executive Committee.
The Library
The Guild has an extensive library providing an unrivalled resource of information and inspiration for members. A full lsit of resources is available to members when logged in to the site.
The Journal
A quarterly journal, compiled from members’ contributions, is sent to all members of the Guild of Enamellers. Technical articles and projects from past copies the journal are available to members on this web site.
The Bursary
Starting out with enamelling can be a costly business, it may be necessary to buy a kiln, it's often not clear what enamels to buy and what tools. The Bursary award is made to a promising student and is in the form of vouchers, enamels and tools kits. The value of the award is around £1000. The prizes are generously supplied by the Bursary sponsors.
Awards
At the Annual Conference we aim to help members to grow, inspiring them to connect with fellow members, and take part in the wider enamelling world through setting personal challenges by entering the Annual Awards Exhibition.
Selection
Members entering Selection at the annual conference may have their work assessed and critiqued by three distinguished enamellers from the Guild. The two awards are Craftsman (CGE), Associated Craftsman (ACGE). Applications may be submitted on line.
The Annual Conference
The Guild runs an annual conference which is open to Guild members. The conference is held in the the UK and aims to bring together as many members as possible over a weekend of enamelling and socialising. There are work shops, a master class, a chance to meet enamel suppliers, enter work in exhibitions and more.