Workshop Information and Safety Guidelines

My workshops are designed to be friendly, relaxed and inspiring, with plenty of individual support throughout the day. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to ask questions and receive one-to-one guidance, workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants.

No previous experience is necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to experiment!

What to Expect

The day is delivered at a relaxed pace, giving you plenty of time to explore the beautiful process of enamelling.

During the morning, you'll learn the foundations of enamelling, including:

  • Preparing copper ready for enamelling

  • Safely using the kiln and specialist equipment

  • Applying enamel to copper

  • Exploring a range of decorative enamelling techniques

After a lunch break, you'll spend the afternoon developing your new skills to create a more personal project. You can choose to make either:

  • a framed enamel artwork, or

  • a unique piece of enamel jewellery.

By the end of the workshop, you'll usually have at least three finished pieces to take home, and many participants create even more depending on the size and complexity of their designs.

Lunch

We'll take a break for lunch during the day.

You're very welcome to bring your own lunch, or you can purchase food and drinks from the excellent local café nearby.

Your Safety

Vitreous enamelling is a safe and enjoyable process when carried out using appropriate equipment and sensible working practices.

During the workshop you will be working with:

  • specialist enamelling kilns operating at temperatures of approximately 800–820°C

  • heated copper and metal tools

  • finely ground vitreous enamel (glass powder).

The enamels used during my workshops are lead free. Some colours contain very small quantities of naturally occurring metal compounds used to create their colour. When handled correctly and in the small quantities used during the workshop, the level of risk is extremely low.

Before using any equipment, I will demonstrate each stage of the process and explain how to work safely and confidently. You will receive guidance throughout the day and are encouraged to ask questions at any time.

Safety Equipment

For your protection, I will provide:

  • Safety glasses

  • Face masks for working with enamel powders

  • Heat-resistant gloves when using the kiln

  • All tools, materials and equipment required for the workshop

The workshop space is well ventilated throughout the day.

What to Wear

As this is a practical workshop, please wear:

  • Comfortable clothing suitable for creative work

  • Fully enclosed shoes (no sandals or open-toed footwear)

  • Long hair tied back

  • Loose sleeves, scarves and dangling jewellery secured or removed where possible

These simple precautions help minimise the risk of burns when working with hot equipment.

During the Workshop

To help keep everyone safe, participants are asked to:

  • Follow all safety instructions provided throughout the day

  • Wear the safety equipment provided whenever requested

  • Avoid eating or drinking at the workbench

  • Wash their hands after handling enamel powders and before eating

  • Handle all tools and equipment responsibly

Medical Information & Accessibility

Please let me know before your workshop if you have any medical conditions, allergies, injuries, mobility requirements or other accessibility needs that may affect your participation.

Wherever possible, I will do my best to accommodate individual requirements and ensure you have an enjoyable experience.

Age Requirement

Workshops are suitable for adults aged 18 years and over.

Illness

If you are feeling unwell, particularly if you have symptoms of a contagious illness such as COVID-19, please do not attend your workshop. Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your booking.

Hand sanitiser will be available throughout the day, and the workshop space will be well ventilated.

A Final Note

My aim is for everyone to enjoy a creative, welcoming and inspiring day while learning a fascinating traditional craft. By booking a workshop, you confirm that you have read these Workshop Information & Safety Guidelines and agree to follow the safety instructions provided throughout the day.

I look forward to welcoming you and helping you create something truly unique.

Book a Workshop