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Carpenter Enamel Center

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Carpenter Enamel Center

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  • Who we are
  • Workshops
  • Multi-Day Workshops
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Classes and Workshops

CEC workshops will teach you how to achieve quality results by expanding your knowledge and understanding of enameling fundamentals. Learn new procedures, techniques and materials to create a wide variety of enamel art. 


Our 3-hour workshops are focused on a specific technique and are great for beginners and experienced enamelists wanting to learn or practice a new technique. Our premier multi-day workshops, most taught by Tom Ellis, offer a deep dive into multiple procedures and materials. Written handouts will be provided documenting everything covered in the workshop. After registration you will receive a confirmation email/letter with details of the workshop. All tools and equipment will be provided unless your workshop confirmation letter states otherwise.

Tom Ellis Workshops

June 13 & 14, 2026 - Exploring Liquid EnamelJuly 25 & 26, 2026 - Cloisonné Pendant August 29 & 30, 2026 - Separation Pendant and BowlSeptember 12 & 13, 2026 - Exploring Liquid EnamelNovember 21 & 22, 2026 - Painting Enamel

Isabel B. D. Workshops

October 17 & 18, 2026 - Doming Copper Squares

June 13 & 14 2-Day Workshop

Exploring Liquid Enamel – Materials, Procedures and Effects

DATE: Saturday & Sunday, June 13 & 14, 2026 

TIME: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM  with a 1‑hour lunch break from 12 noon to 1 PM both days

LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073

INSTRUCTOR: Tom Ellis

All Skill Levels Welcome


WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Liquid Enamel 533 white and Brushable Liquid Enamel LCE‑3 white are applied direct on copper and fired. Transparent enamel color is sifted over liquid enamel application and fired. These two firings are repeated as many as 4 or 5 times, one thin layer over another thin layer. As they layer up visual depth takes place. Pieces can be embellished with gold/silver foil and glass spheres.


COST: $495 total for both days – all materials included   

By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page. 

Register and Pay Online
Click here for Terms & Conditions

July 25 & 26 2-Day Workshop

Cloisonné Pendant With Sterling Silver Cinch Mount

DATE: Saturday & Sunday, July 25 & 26, 2026

TIME: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM with a 1‑hour lunch break from 12 noon to 1 PM both days

LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073

INSTRUCTOR: Tom Ellis

All Skill Levels Welcome


WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Fine silver cloisonne wire on copper blank. Silver foil for highlights and texture. Traditional cloisonne technique - bending and firing wires, applying silver foil, filling cloisons, firing, stoning and final fire - Sterling silver clinch mount bezel. 


Expect to make (one) 1-1/2 inch diameter pendant over the two-day period.


COST: $525 total for both days – all materials included   – fine silver cloisonné wire, fine gold and silver foil, sterling silver cinch mount bezel, copper disc.  

By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page. 

Register and Pay Online
Click here for Terms & Conditions

August 29 & 30 2-Day Workshop

Separation Workshop – Pendant and Bowl

DATE: Saturday & Sunday, August 29 & 30, 2026

TIME: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM both days with a 1‑hour lunch break from 12 noon to 1 PM both days

LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073

INSTRUCTOR: Tom Ellis


All Skill Levels Welcome


WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:“We will explore the separation enamel process and materials to achieve color, texture, enamel flow, abstract and fluid effects. We will work on small 24 gauge copper for pendants or brooches and one steep sided spun copper bowl. Gravity, reflected light, enamel flow, sifting, and layering will be shown. A copper foot will be employed on bowl to prevent stilt marks. A glass sphere will be made and used as additional decoration on any work.


COST: $525 total for both days – all materials included   

By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page. 

Register and Pay Online
Click here for Terms & Conditions

September 12 & 13 2-Day Workshop

Exploring Liquid Enamel – Materials, Procedures and Effects

DATE: Saturday & Sunday, September 12 & 13, 2026 

TIME: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM  with a 1‑hour lunch break from 12 noon to 1 PM both days

LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073

INSTRUCTOR: Tom Ellis


All Skill Levels Welcome


WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Liquid Enamel 533 white and Brushable Liquid Enamel LCE‑3 white are applied direct on copper and fired. Transparent enamel color is sifted over liquid enamel application and fired. These two firings are repeated as many as 4 or 5 times, one thin layer over another thin layer. As they layer up visual depth takes place. Pieces can be embellished with gold/silver foil and glass spheres.


COST: $495 total for both days – all materials included   

By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page. 

Register and Pay Online
Click here for Terms & Conditions

October 17 & 18 2-Day Workshop

Doming Copper Squares: Traditional Technique

DATE: Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18, 2026 

TIME: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM  with a 1‑hour lunch break from 12 noon to 1 PM both days

LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073

LEVEL: Intermediate to Expert


INSTRUCTOR: Isabel B.D. holds a degree in enameling from an accredited art school in Spain. After returning to the practice in recent years, she is sharing some of the traditional techniques she studied and practiced in Spain.


WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:  

Discover the beauty and precision of domed enamels through this hands-on workshop focused on the traditional method of doming copper squares. Students will learn how to form and enamel curved surfaces, then assemble them into a multi-panel composition, similar to tiling, or “alicatado” in Spanish.

This workshop is designed for intermediate to expert enamelists. Each participant can expect to complete at least two domed copper squares (2 x 2 inches each), which will be enameled as a unified piece.


Who Should Take This Workshop

This workshop is for enamelists who already have experience and want to expand their technical skills. It is not an introductory class.


What You Will Learn

  • How to dome a square copper piece using traditional methods
  • How to adapt the doming process to different shapes and sizes
  • Differences between enameling on flat and domed surfaces
  • How doming affects light reflection, depth, and structural stability
  • How to assemble domed pieces into a multi-panel format


Materials You Need to Bring

  • Steel bench block (4" × 4" or larger)
  • Small rubber mallet
  • Ball‑peen hammer
  • Flat or half‑round file


COST: $375 plus $25 material fee total for both days  

[Note: there is student supplied equipment required. See above.]

By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page. 

Register and Pay Online
Click here for Terms & Conditions

November 21 & 22 2-Day Workshop

Painting Enamel

DATE: Saturday & Sunday, November 21 & 22, 2026 

TIME: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM with 1‑hour lunch break from 12 noon to 1 PM 

LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073

INSTRUCTOR: Tom Ellis


All Skill Levels Welcome 


WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Work will be made on 24 gauge copper suitable for pendants and brooches. Small panels will also be available to work on. Acrylic water based enamel paint will be the primary product. We will also use a crow quill pen for fine details, gold and silver foils will be used as highlights. Carefree lusters will be shown to add sparkle colors. Painting enamel preparation, mixing colors, painting application and firing will be covered. A clear cover coat will be made by sizing transparent clear to 150/325 mesh and applied with a sifter as a final top coat. This clear coat adds depth to the painting.


COST: $495 total for both days – all materials included   

By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page. 

Register and Pay Online
Click here for Terms & Conditions
Click here to go to Listing of 3-Hour Workshops

Tom Ellis Workshops

Tom Ellis

Instructor Tom Ellis has accumulated much enamel knowledge over the 41 years he has been Thompson Enamel’s technician. Prior to working for Thompson Enamel, he was the first resident enameler at the John C. Campbell Folk School (1974-1981).  He began working at Thompson in 1985. He was editor of Glass on Metal magazine and mentored by both Woodrow Carpenter (inventor/owner of Thompson’s lead free enamel products) and Bill Helwig (enamel artist and assistant developer and promoter of Thompson Lead Free Enamel).   

Who Should Take These Workshops?

Anyone who wants to learn more about enameling.  You do not need to have any prior knowledge or experience.  We start from the beginning and what you need to know will be presented.

What Will You Learn?

Learn to control results by discovering and understanding the fundamentals of enameling.  Become proficient by knowing procedure and material relationships and their importance to each other.  Predict what should happen and be able to understand what you see happen.  Repeat a procedure and have it come out the same each time.

Location & General Information

All workshops are held at the Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave, Bellevue, KY 41073. 

Read General Information

Terms & Conditions

CANCELLATION POLICY


The goal of our cancellation policy is to be fair and flexible to our workshop participants and the Center. When making your plans, please consider the following: our planning for your arrival means purchasing supplies, making a commitment to the instructor, and in the case of a full class, holding a spot that someone else could potentially take. 


Once students are accepted into a class, cancellation fees apply. Cancellation more than 3 weeks prior to the first day of class results in a cancellation fee of 50% of the amount you paid. The balance of what you’ve paid will be transferred as a credit to another workshop date of your choosing. If you choose a workshop with a cost that exceeds your balance, you will be responsible for the difference.


Cancellation 3 weeks or less before the start date of the workshop results in a cancellation fee of 100% of the amount. 


Cancellations are to be made by contacting the instructor (you will receive the instructor contact information after registration).  


TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION


Registrations are transferrable to another student. Contact your instructor to arrange the transfer and provide contact information for the new student. Replacement students will be accepted once they confirm agreement with our policies. Any financial arrangements are between you and your replacement. 


Cancellation rules still apply for your replacement: if they cancel more than 3 weeks prior to the first day of the workshop, there is a 50% cancellation fee and the remainder will be retained as a credit for the original registrant. Cancellation 3 weeks or less before the start of a workshop results in a 100% cancellation fee.

 

INSUFFICIENT REGISTRATION


Due to workshop overhead expenses, a minimum of 3 students (unless otherwise noted) must be registered in order to hold the class. If that number is not reached, the workshop will be cancelled and you will receive notification 3 weeks before the start date of your workshop. You will receive a full refund, or if you prefer, a transfer of your full payment to a future workshop of equal value. The Carpenter Enamel Center cannot be held responsible for any lost hotel or air fare costs due to workshop cancellation.


LIABILITY POLICY


Student agrees not to hold Carpenter Enamel Center, its staff and board of directors, and instructor(s) of workshop responsible for any accidental injuries or illnesses the student may contract during the workshop. 


SAFETY POLICIES


Furnace (Kiln) Firing Safety:


1. Wear eye protection (students are responsible to bring their own eye protective glasses). *This is not a requirement. For most this is a minimal issue as we will not be staring into the furnace, but if you are concerned, bring protective eyeglasses.

2. Wear heat resistant gloves (provided).

3. Wear closed toe shoes.

4. Assume everything around furnace (kiln) in firing area (trivets and firing racks) are HOT!

5. Do not touch anything with bare fingers and hands unless the object has been checked to see if it is hot. Hold back of hand above object to feel for any heat.

6.  Do not remove hot things from furnace area.

7. Do not remove trivets, firing racks, spatulas or trowels from firing area.

8. If an accident happens (a hot trivet falls to the floor) do not panic. Use pliers or trowel to move or pick up hot item. Do not worry about floor. Worry about being burned.

9. Note where the fire extinguishers are located on wall.

10. Aloe plant in front hall for burns. Burn ointment and first aid items located in shelf next to fire extinguisher.


Sifting/Handling Enamel:


1. Wear protective dust mask provided in workshop.

2. Wash your hands prior to eating. Do not eat or drink around your work area.

3. Keep your work area neat and clean.


Sifting/Handling Enamel:


1. No long hair near polishing motor. Tie hair back before using. Grave injury or death could result!

2. No hanging jewelry. Remove all jewelry before using.

3. No Loose Clothing. No scarves or hanging pieces of clothing. Remove these items before using.

4. Wear eye protection. Grave injury could result if eyes are not protected.

5. Please Be Careful! Do Not Rush! Pay Attention and Think About What You Are Doing!

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General Information

Location:

All workshops are held at the Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave, Bellevue, KY 41073. Parking is available in both the front, side and rear of the building. Entrance is at the front of the building.


For Multi-Day Workshops: 

Class Time: Classes will begin at 9:00 AM and run to 4:30 PM.

There will be an hour lunch break from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. Bring your lunch or use the drive through at a local fast food restaurant.


Lodging: 

We recommend the following hotels/motels in order of their closeness to Thompson Enamel: 

· Holiday Inn Express Address: 110 Landmark Dr, Bellevue, KY 41073 Phone: (859) 957-2320 

· Aloft Address: 201 E 3rd St, Newport, KY 41071 Phone: (859) 916-5306 

· Hampton Inn Address: 275 Columbia St, Newport, KY 41071 Phone: (859) 415-0678


Questions:
Contact Tom Ellis at tellis@thompsonenamel.com or write info@carpenterenamelcenter.org


Registration:

Online button (preferred)

Or by phone:  call 859-291-3800, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Tues, Wed, & Thurs only). Ask for Tom Ellis.

Or by email: write tellis@thompsonenamel.com


Number of Students:

This varies by workshop. In general, 2-day workshops have a minimum of 3 students and a maximum of 12 unless otherwise noted. For 3-hour workshops, there is a maximum of 24 unless otherwise noted.


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Carpenter Enamel Center

645 Colfax Avenue, Bellevue, Kentucky 41073, United States

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carpenterenamelcenter.org

645 Colfax Avenue, Bellevue, Kentucky 41073, United States

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