heather Croft - Enamel on the Yarrow

After retiring Heather traded the daily grind for a kiln and a newfound passion: enamelling. What started as a single workshop evolved during lockdown into a self-taught journey fuelled by YouTube and the invaluable Guild of Enamellers.

Today her greatest joy is passing down this heritage craft on to others. In just two years, she has introduced over 500 people to the art, and she continues to host a monthly Enamel Club at Rural Arts in Thirsk. In Heather’s words “there is something magical about watching a student’s face light up when they realise a piece can fire in just one to three minutes- the ultimate instant gratification.”

Work and inspiration

Materials: steel, copper, silver and recycled materials to create everything from delicate jewellery and bowls to large scale panels.

Style

Deeply inspired by nature and colour, her work leans towards the abstract.

Her largest project to date is a 5 foot Swallow panel currently installed at the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park near Ripon.

“Enamelling is a lifelong apprenticeship,it is a complex dance of metal and vitreous glass that I will never truly master and that is exactly why I love it. I am constantly experimenting, forever chasing the next design.”

Website: www.enamelontheyarrow.co.uk

Email: Croftmhc@gmail.com

Instagram: @enamelontheyarrow