Enamelling with Helen Aitken Kuhnen
what students are saying
Enamelling is a vibrant and versatile process where powdered glass is fused to metal under heat, creating rich colour, surface and depth.
This workshop explores foundational and experimental approaches to enamelling, combining traditional techniques with opportunities for personal exploration and expression.
This three-day workshop offers an immersive introduction to enamelling, guided by highly respected Australian jeweller and educator Helen Aitken-Kuhnen.
Details
You will learn
- Participants will learn how to prepare metal for enamelling, including cleaning and surface preparation and high temperature soldering, as well as an introduction to working with powdered enamel.
- Techniques explored will include sifting, wet-packing, layering colour, and firing processes. Students will develop an understanding of how to control and manipulate enamel to achieve different surface qualities and effects.
- The workshop will also cover basic metal preparation for enamelling, including simple forming and considerations for working on flat and dimensional surfaces.
You will get
- Copper sheet for sampling and experimentation (1mm sheet)
- 2 x pre-formed copper discs per participant (approx. 4–6cm, hydro press formed; round or oval)
- Copper spoon head form per participant for enamelling exploration
- Access to additional small copper squares (approx. 3cm x 3cm) for champlevé exploration (available for purchase as needed)
- A wide selection of enamels for use throughout the workshop
Appropriate for
Perfect for those with jewellery experience and those starting out on their jewellery making journey.
Preparation
What to bring
- A notebook and pen/pencil
- An apron
- Covered shoes
- Any enamel tools you may already have
What to wear
All students must wear proper enclosed shoes, long pants or skirts and have long hair tied back. Our warehouse has a concrete floor and can be cold in winter (we have some heating!) and hot in summer so please dress appropriately
Your Teacher
Helen Aitken-Kuhnen is an Australian jeweller and enamel artist with over four decades of experience in metalsmithing and teaching. Her practice centres on the expressive potential of enamel, exploring colour, surface and material through both jewellery and small-scale object making.
With a deep commitment to education, Helen has taught extensively across Australia, sharing her knowledge of traditional and contemporary enamelling techniques. Her work reflects a sensitivity to material and process, often drawing on subtle shifts in colour and texture to create refined and considered pieces.
Helen’s approach to teaching encourages both technical rigour and creative exploration, supporting students to develop confidence in their making and a deeper understanding of their materials.
Organized by
SquarePeg Studios
SquarePeg Studios is a Sydney jewellery studio and school, established in 2011, we occupy a 200sq metre warehouse space in Marrickville.
With studio spaces for 14 practising jewellers, a well-equipped workshop and busy jewellery school seeing around 50 students each week, SquarePeg Studios is a participatory community space created by and for the contemporary jewellery network of Sydney.
At SquarePeg Studios we have a passion for contemporary jewellery, we have excellent workshop facilities and a dedicated and talented team of tutors to help you learn everything you need to know to create your own jewellery designs in an inclusive and friendly environment.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 30 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$50.00 applies.
- A transfer can be requested 21 days before the class starts. An admin fee of AU$50.00 applies.
- A credit note can be requested 21 days before the class starts. An admin fee of AU$50.00 applies.
No changes will be allowed after these times.
We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.
Terms & Conditions
SquarePeg Studios has provided the highest-level jewellery tuition since 2011. We bring professional jewellers and practising artists from near and far to provide our students with an excellent and diverse education in an inspiring and well-equipped learning environment.
The following terms and conditions must be adhered to on enrolling in a SquarePeg Studios Class:
For peace of mind enrolling, SquarePeg Studios recommends purchasing the optional refund protection offered by We Teach Me, our third-party booking platform, at checkout. (See We Teach Me terms and conditions)
- To secure their place, the customer must pay the course fees in full or in instalments via the payment plan option.
- Some courses and workshops require prior learning and have minimum age requirements. Therefore, please check the course description thoroughly before enrolling. These terms and conditions apply to all enrolments.
- It is the student''s responsibility to attend all classes. No make-up classes, refunds, or credits are issued for non-attendance of all or part of the course or workshop. We recommend the optional refund protection if a student has health issues that may impact their attendance.
A. Cancellation and transfers: 30 days or more before class starts - Refund or Credit Note
i. SquarePeg Studios will accept written notification via email
of cancellation up to one month before the class’s start date.
ii. SquarePeg will
issue a refund of the fee paid minus a $50 booking fee and administration fee.
iii. If
preferred, SquarePeg Studios will issue a credit note for the total fees paid. The
credit note can be used for any course or workshop and is valid for twelve months
from the issue date.
B. 21 – 30 days before class starts – Credit Note.
i. SquarePeg Studios will accept written notification via email of cancellation
between 21 and 30 days before the class’s start date.
ii. SquarePeg Studios will issue a credit note
for the fees paid, less the $50 administration fee. The credit note can be used
for any course or workshop and is valid for twelve months from the issue date.
C. 21 – 7 days before the class starts – Transfer
subject to conditions.
i. SquarePeg
Studios will accept written notification via email of a request to transfer.
ii. Transfer
of the student to another date will only be processed if the student’s place in
the course can be filled.
iii. If the student’s place in the original booking can be filled, SquarePeg
Studios will transfer the student to an alternate date within 12 months of the original
booking and issue a $50 administration fee.
D. 7 days before the class starts – No refunds, credits, or transfers
Within 7 days of the class start date - there will be no refunds, credits, or transfers
Due to the small class sizes and preparation required, we cannot refund, credit, or transfer bookings made within 7 days of the start date.
Refund Protection (if purchased) may still apply through WeTeachMe’s policy.
Students are welcome to send someone in their place if they cannot attend (subject to any class skillset pre-requisites being met)
E. SquarePeg Studios reserves the right to cancel any class.
a. SquarePeg will advise of class cancellation via email of cancellation
as soon as practicable.
i. Please
note that SquarePeg Studios does not accept responsibility for travel or accommodation
expenses incurred.
ii. In the event your class is cancelled, you will be offered a choice
of the following;
iii. Full Refund or 1
iv. Transfer to the next available date or
v. Credit note with a one-year validity
F. In the case of a significant schedule change or if the student cannot attend the new start date entirely:
The student may choose from the following options:
I. A credit note valid for one year, or
ii. A transfer to another course or a future date within 12 months, or
iii. A full Refund.
Please note:
SquarePeg Studios does not accept responsibility for travel or accommodation expenses incurred due to schedule changes.
Gift Voucher Terms & Conditions can be found here: https://weteachme.com/pages/sales-and-refunds and via our FAQ information on our website.
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Enamelling with Helen Aitken Kuhnen
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