I have just turned home from an exciting weekend at the Guild of Enamellers annual conference which this year was held at Reaseheath College near Nantwich in Cheshire. This is always a fantastic event but this year was particularly enjoyable. There were quite a few members attending for the first time and it is encouraging to see new faces and share their enthusiasm. The venue was great and staff very helpful and there was a huge range of very skilfully made work. I wish I had remembered to photograph the display earlier, as by the time I thought about it some of the work had been packed away!

Saturday was taken up by workshops and as one of the scheduled tutors had been taken I’ll shortly before conference I acted as stand in for a small group who did some cells and textures in art clay silver. Although we didn’t get to enamel I hope they were pleased and interested enough to try metal clay again.

Here are their pieces in the end of day display. I am still a bit sorry to have missed Dale Devereux Barkers class but thanks to my group for their enthusiasm, I was honoured to share some of my techniques with you all.

One of my personal highlights was when David Bainbridge of Milton Bridge Ceramic Colours Ltd was awarded Honorary Membership of the Guild, recognising his hard work in the EU consultation process relating to the restriction of lead in jewellery. He was completely surprised! As always we had wonderful speakers; inspiring workshops and shared loads of ideas and it is great to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. Good luck to the new Chair, Jane Ball and I am already looking forward to the next event.