email: sueslapton@hotmail.co.uk

For years I have combined enamelling with teaching, specializing in champlevé enamelling on silver, which requires great precision and accuracy. I have my own way of working which I have gradually developed and enjoy passing these skills on to all the students who come to me.
Colour is what attracted me to enamelling in the first place. Sometimes I use a blend of colours which mix together harmoniously, other times I chose colours that zing and shout out loud.

Besides the precise jewellery I make, I love to play with fine copper foil which I enamel more freely. It’s fun to twist, pleat, punch and manipulate the foil in a variety of ways, then enamel it with gay abandon. I fire the pieces high (950°C) and for long periods (three minutes). If I don’t like the results, I add more enamel and fire again – almost testing the work to destruction. So far I’ve produced a range of enamelled sweets, chocolates and paper bags. Cabbage pots are the latest foil designs, but there are other ideas bursting to manifest themselves, all with a touch of humour.

My inspiration comes from everywhere – a flower, a fish, a kiss, spots before the eyes, old Aztec pottery or a stripy humbug.

I enjoy meeting people while teaching – the coming together and sharing is very important to me. I work to commission too. Annually I make staff awards for South Devon Healthcare.

My work can always be seen at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen’s Gallery at Bovey Tracey.

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