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 enamellists wanting to learn or practice a new technique. Our premier multi-day workshops, 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.

DATE: Saturday, May 16, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
INSTRUCTOR: Tom Ellis
All skill levels welcome
Price: $65 All materials provided
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Learn to manipulate 80 mesh enamel powder by adding water to make a wet paste. ‘Wet Inlay’ or ‘Wet Packing’ is an enamel application procedure used in making ‘cloisonne’ enamel. It can also be employed as a ‘painting method’. As long as the enamel is saturated with water, the wet enamel may be manipulated and placed onto a piece in a ‘painterly’ fashion. An optional step is to use a toothpick to scroll through the wet enamel making marbleized patterns. Make a 1-1/2 inch dimeter copper circle pendant with wet inlay application.
By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page.

DATE: Saturday, June 6, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
INSTRUCTOR: Teresa Olavarria
All skill levels welcome
Price: $75 All materials provided
What You Will Learn: In this class, you’ll learn how to hot scroll and create playful, abstract patterns in enamel. You’ll start by arranging glass lumps and threads into a design, then use a torch to melt the enamel. While the glass is still hot, you’ll pull a special tool through the surface to make flowing, one-of-a-kind patterns. The examples shown give you just a taste of the exciting results you can achieve.
Enrollment Limits: Minimum enrollment of 3 participants, maximum 10.
Cancellation Policy: 10-day advance notice
By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page.

DATE: Saturday, June 27, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
INSTRUCTOR: Tom Ellis
All skill levels welcome
Price: $65 All materials provided
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Make a 1-1/2 inch circle pendant using the ‘stencil’ technique. We have a variety of plastic stencils that enamel can be sifted through to create colors and patterns. Achieving a crisp or sharp edge of the stenciled pattern will be shown. An innovative method of removing the stencil from the work piece makes stencil removal easier.
By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page.

DATE: Saturday, July 18, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
INSTRUCTOR: Isabel B. D.
All skill levels welcome
Price: $65 All materials provided
Great for beginners!
We’ll start by sifting and firing a clean base coat, then use stencils to build your design with layered enamel colors. Once your pendant is finished, you’ll learn how to make an adjustable cord so your artwork is ready to wear as soon as you leave.
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.
By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page.

DATE: Saturday, September 19, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
INSTRUCTOR: Tom Ellis
All skill levels welcome
Price: $65 All materials provided
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Enamel (glass) comes in various physical forms. It is often ground to 80 mesh powder, like granular sugar. It also comes in lump or chunk form and can be pulled while molten to make threads (or stringers) of glass. Lumps make pools of color while threads when fired make lines. We will work on a 1-1/2 inch copper circle to make a pendant.
By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page.

DATE: Saturday, December 12, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
INSTRUCTOR: Tom Ellis
All skill levels welcome
Price: $65 All materials provided
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Enamel is the perfect material for making Holiday Ornaments to hang on a tree or to decorate the house. Enamel is all about color but the reflection of light off and through glass makes them glow. The ornament will be made on a 1-1/2 inch copper circle.
By Registering you are agreeing to the Terms, Conditions, and Safety Policy provided at the bottom of the page.
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.
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.
All workshops are held at the Carpenter Enamel Center, 645 Colfax Ave, Bellevue, KY 41073.
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR 3-HOUR WORKSHOPS:
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 1 week 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 1 week 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 1 student for 3-hour classes 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 1 week 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!
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.
Class Time:
For 3-Hour workshops: Classes begin as advertised.
Please arrive 10 minutes early as classes need to begin on time.
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
Classes and workshops have a limit of 24 students unless otherwise noted in the class description.
Fell free to drop us a line and let us know what you are interested in!
645 Colfax Avenue, Bellevue, Kentucky 41073, United States
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