enamel (e-nam-el)

an opaque or semitransparent glassy substance applied to metallic or other hard surfaces for ornament or as a protective coating.

Bess Starey Metal and Enamel Designs has been in business since January 2000. A new Years’ resolution was to put some colour in my life after spending several post college years in a dark workshop etching brass and steel. Enamelled copper will not tarnish or corrode and requires minimal cleaning. I developed a technique in which the ground layer of enamel is scribed off to reveal the metal beneath. This process enables the copper text and pattern to shine through the subsequent jewel like layers.

Primarily a surface pattern designer, I draw influences from Art Nouveau, Art Deco and the Arts and Crafts era where honesty to materials and design is paramount. My mantra is a William Morris quote ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.’ A lot of what I do is text related, I love quotations, prose and poetry, anything that raises a smile or merely tickles the brain.

The result is truly original, unusual and inspiring creations designed for contemporary and stylish homes.

Everything is made to order so please feel free to commission a variation of a design seen here. For instance; if you would like to commission a squiggle hanging for a wedding gift I can incorporate their names and the date in the design. Usually you should allow 28 days for delivery, but if an urgent birthday present is needed it is often worth asking if it can be done in time.

Please Contact me if you would like more information.