Linda Connelly Enamels

Category: Enamelling

  • New Enamel Jewellery Inspired by J.M.W,Turner’s Paintings

    New Enamel Jewellery Inspired by J.M.W,Turner’s Paintings

    This year there has been an amazing exhibition of Turner and Constable at Tate Britain, London. I was taken there as a birthday treat and it was utterly mesmerising. It’s on until 12 April so there is still time to catch it. Husband bought me the book so I can refer to it at any time.

    I have been focussing on skies and landscape more a more recently. The desire to look up and see the wonder above, rather than the increasingly awful reality on Earth has been both an inspiration and a comfort in these difficult times.

    Sketchbook page inspired by Turner skies

    I try to make Sundays a non-studio day and I often reach for my sketchbook and paints then to try and capture what is in my head , with a view to maybe translating some of them into enamel at a later date.

    Watercolours and gouache.

    Each enamelled piece starts with a piece of silver which I engrave by hand. Then there are many very thin layers of enamel, painstakingly applied, building up colours and tone. Each layer is fired for one or two minutes in my kiln before the next.

    Some of the stages of enamelling this small pendant.

    Here are some finished pieces.

    New small pendants and earrings inspired by Turner paintings
    Swans flying across a golden sky

    I would love to know what you think.

  • Pearl in the Adriatic – Enamel necklace inspired by Dubrovnik

    Pearl in the Adriatic cloisonné enamel necklace – Silver Award at Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards 2026

    This necklace is inspired by a visit to Dubrovnik late last year. ‘Pearl in the Adriatic’ is the name often given to Dubrovnik, Croatia. The design is inspired by the view from the cliffs just outside the old town. The colours of the sea and vegetation combined with the textures of the foliage were absolutely breathtaking and I knew immediately I wanted to try and replicate it in enamel as a piece of jewellery.

    I studied the texture of the vegetation in order to try and replicate it in the hand engraved texture that comprises the Basse-taille technique.

    Sketch book Designs for Pearl in the Adriatic enamel necklace

    I explored different shapes in my sketch book before settling on the final design. I decided to use cloisonné for the agave leaves to bring them forward in the design.

    From photos and drawings in my sketchbook I engraved the silver to echo the foliage. I then used very thin layers of transparent jewellery enamel to colour the design, using the enamel like watercolours and adding tiny amounts with careful and painstaking placement. To finish the whole piece was ground and polished before making the silver setting and selecting the freshwater pearls that it is strung with. The finished piece carries the memory of that perfect day with the breathtaking view that the wearer can touch and enjoy wherever they are .

    Competition Success

    I was absolutely delighted when this necklace too won a silver award at the Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards 2026. It nearly didn’t get finished in time and it was a real race against the clock. I knew as soon as I saw the view though that I wanted to make this necklace for this year’s awards. It was a huge challenge to finish it in time but I was determined to give it my all. Once I had completed the other necklace, Marsh Dawn that also won an award though!

    Success at 2026 GCDC Awards
    Pearl in the Adriatic enamel necklace Silver Award at 2026 GCDC Awards

  • Seascape – Enamel Jewellery

    Seascape – Enamel Jewellery

    A celebration of the sea, dunes and marshes of the North Norfolk coast, UK

    One of my favourite places to visit in the UK is the North Norfolk coast. My family and I have been regularly visiting for the past thirty years or so and it is a place that always inspires me. Last summer husband and I went again and this time we stayed more centrally than previously and as a result we were able to spend lots of time walking by the sea and marshes instead of driving to and from my favourite places. I fell in love with the landscape there all over again and was able to spend lots of time drawing and photographing the wild flowers and the amazing ever changing views of sea, sky and marsh land together with the abundant birds and wildflowers. During the course of a week of breakfasting on fresh croissants from a local cafe whilst sitting on a bench watching the ever changing water in the inlet together with long daily walks along the coast, ideas for a whole new range gradually appeared in my sketchbook as if by magic. They were literally born as a result of immersing myself in the spirit of the landscape around me whilst hunting for fossils, paddling in the sea and walking the coastal footpaths with marshes, dunes, pebbles and wildlife together with the ever crashing waves and the sound of gulls as a soundtrack. I called them Seascape and some of you may have seen some of these at shows last year. I hope they convey a sense of the place and remind you of your own special times on beaches and by the sea in with family and friends. 

    Seascape Pins and brooches

    The first pieces I made were small brooches. The one on the right can also be worn as a pendant. I love a brooches myself as they pin just as easily to a fleece or jersey as to smart going out clothes. They are cloisonné enamel on silver that I have hand-engraved.

    Seascape brooch
    Seascape pendant/brooch
    Seascape brooches

    Seascape pendants and earrings

    Like the brooches these are all hand engraved silver with cloisonné enamel. Many of my piece feature a jelly fish because we saw them in the harbour whilst we were disembarking after a boat trip along the coast.

    Seascape Earrings
    Seascape Earrings
    Seascape Earrings
    Seascape Pendant
    Seascape pendant
    Seascape Pendant
    Seascape Earrings
    Seascape Earrings
    Seascape Tiny pendant
    Seascape pendant
    Seascape pendants and earrings Silver cloisonné enamel

    Chips and Ice cream – A perfect meal for the beach

    Seascape chip fork and ice cream spoon

    More pieces are being added to this range so please check out my shop if you are interested. If a piece isn’t available please contact me as some pieces may be able to be repeated. They won’t be identical but could be very similar.

    More pictures from North Norfolk coast, UK

    Here are a few more images of the spectacular scenery. They don’t do it justice but I hope they convert just a little of the huge skies and sense of space and freedom that I felt there.

  • Coral Reef Brooch/Pendant

    Coral Reef Brooch/Pendant

    Coral Reef brooch/pendant

    I have recently finished another brooch/pendant in my new series of pieces designed to raise awareness of environmental issues. This depicts a coral reef in cloisonné enamel on basse-taille silver. The edges are grey and dark symbolising the damage they are suffering due to climate change and pollution. The centre is vibrant as a sign of hope and the whole piece is designed to raise awareness of the issue. The world needs to act now and I want this brooch to help spark conversations on the issue between the wearer and people around them.

    The reverse of the brooch has been engraved and it has a double pin and a loop for a chain so it can be worn as a pendant. The brooch stands up so it can be displayed when it isn’t being worn.

    I was inspired to make this as a follow up to the Seahorse in Kelp Forest pendant and brooch that featured in a previous post. I plan to make more in this series. The idea came to me following a trip to London Zoo with my son for our joint birthday. They have a super aquarium display that really captured my imagination. Later I visited the Seaworld centre in London to draw the coral in their display there. Maybe I will need to learn to dive one day so I can see habitats like this in the sea but in the meantime being able to see them in aquariums helps me to gain an understanding of how to depict them.

    Here are a few images of the piece being made. The colours were developed over many firings before finally the piece was ground and polished to finish the enamel ready for me to construct the setting.

  • Seahorse in Kelp Forest Pendant and Brooch

    Seahorse in Kelp Forest Pendant and Brooch

    Seahorse in Kelp Forest Pendant and Brooch

    I have long been interested in environmental issues and when I was tasked with making a piece for an exhibition entitled “Underwater Flora and Fauna”, I remembered hearing about Kelp Forests and I decided to investigate further.

    I learned that these are found all over the world but I was particularly interested to discover that they exist off the Sussex coast which is near to where I live. Kelp forests provide a vital habitat for a host of sealife, from tiny worms to young fish and help protect coastal areas from storm surges. Threats to them include climate change, pollution and over fishing. David Attenborough made a film for BBC South called “Save Magical Kelp Forests”. There is a campaign by Sussex Wildlife Trust highlighting this issue and I wanted to help by raising awareness. Jewellery has been used throughout history to convey messages and this piece follows  this tradition to help initiate conversations about the cause.

    Sketch book designs for Kelp Forest jewellery

    I began by making lots of drawings to decide the shape and the design. The first piece I made was a smaller pendant measuring 40mm x 26mm. This enabled me to try out the colours and the design before I committed to a larger piece of silver.

    Small Seahorse in Kelp Forest pendant

    I wanted to make the next piece able to be worn both as a brooch and a pendant. This makes it more versatile and adaptable, plus brooches/badges are particularly associated with messages and protest. It took a lot of planning to ensure the shape worked for both, as well as working to help create the illusion of depth to the sea. Here is the design I chose to make.



    Seahorse in Kelp Forest Pendant/brooch

    The enamel comprises fine gold and fine silver cloisonné on basse taille fine silver, set in a bezel with jelly fish on the back. There is a loop for a chain and a double pin brooch fastening. The pin fastening can be used as a stand to display the piece when it is not being worn. It measures 56mm x 28mm.

    Seahorse in Kelp Forest Pendant
    Reverse of Seahorse in Kelp ForestBrooch/pendant
    Seahorse in Kelp Forest Pendant/brooch on display

    I am planning for this to be part of a new series of pieces entitled “Let’s Talk”. There are too many instances of individuals, businesses and governments quietly getting on with polluting our planet in pursuit of profit, without a care for the consequences. “Let’s Talk” will be a range of pieces designed to promote conversation about environmental issues and to raise awareness. With knowledge and coming together there is a real hope that we can work together for the good of nature and to promote a better, healthier future for us, our children and for generations yet to come. Knowledge is power and we can use it to work together for a better future.

  • New ‘Irises’ Cloisonné Enamel Jewellery

    New ‘Irises’ Cloisonné Enamel Jewellery

    Here is a selection of my latest work featuring Irises in cloisonné enamel jewellery. For the past six months I have been working on a succession of cloisonné enamel pendants, necklaces and earrings which are inspired by Irises. I especially love the look of these flowers, particularly the bearded irises. It is a flower that has had a profound effect on artists of all genres over the centuries. I have never been fortunate enough to see Van Goghs painting of Irises in real life but this came to my mind at the beginning of my journey. Luckily I was able to find a beautiful second hand book with a good illustration of the painting. Last year I attended a session on Arts and Crafts Jewellery at the Goldsmiths’ Hall library and this reignited my interest in the Arts and Crafts era. This is the British expression of what later came to be called the Art Nouveau movement, which it strongly influenced. I was particularly taken by the jewellery of Edith and Nelson Dawson who together made some stunning examples of enamelled jewellery at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.

    Here are a few of my latest cloisonne enamel iris earrings, necklaces and pendants.

    Purple Iris Necklace with Peacock freshwater pearls. Gold cloisonne enamel on silver.
    Purple and Apricot Iris necklace with fresh water pearls. Gold cloisonne enamel on silver
    Small Purple and Apricot Iris pendant. Gold cloisonne with moissanite set in 18ct.
    Pink and Purple Iris earrings. Gold cloisonne on silver and moissanites set in 18ct.
    Violet and Pinky-Mauve small Iris Pendant. Gold cloisonne on silver
    Violet and Pinky-Mauve Iris Earrings. Gold cloisonne on silver.

    I would love to know what you think. Send me a message. Don’t forget you can keep up with all my latest news including shows, exhibitions and classes by subscribing to my newsletter. You can also click the links to follow me on Facebook and Instagram where I share all my new works.

  • Silver and Enamel Tea strainer inspired by Damascene Tiles at Leighton House, London

    Silver and Enamel Tea strainer inspired by Damascene Tiles at Leighton House, London

    Silver and Enamel Tea Strainer – Damascene Flowers

    I made this for an exhibition with the Guild of Enamellers. The subject was Friendship and Continuity. A tea strainer seemed a perfect choice because what is more friendly than sharing a cup of tea? This piece owes much to the inestimable Rachael Gogerly and Phil Barnes who were both so generous in sharing their knowledge and whose amazing work was so inspirational. Seeing their work has been a constant inspiration to strive to do better and to constantly work to develop my skills and expertise. This piece was a huge challenge for me. I have learnt a huge amount from it and look forward to being able to share what I have learnt. I hope it will act as inspiration to others. The tea strainer is made in two parts and riveted together with tube rivets after polishing. It is champlevé enamel with cloisonné flowers which are inspired by William De Morgan ceramics. It was partially etched to begin and then engraved by hand to form the recess and the texture behind. It measures 81 mm across and stands 12 mm high. The enamel has been polished and the silver rim given a brushed finish to contrast with the shiny rivets and strainer.

    Silver and enamel Tea Strainer – Work in progress
    Time for a cup of tea.

  • New ‘Memories’ Silver and Enamel Jewellery

    New ‘Memories’ Silver and Enamel Jewellery

    When  I first heard the theme of ‘Maps’ for this year’s Guild of Enamellers’ conference, I wasn’t sure it was for me! Maps and I do not have a happy relationship. All this squiggly lines that jiggle when I am anxious or stressed! Default emotions for me when I come to use one it has to be said. How my husband and I have stayed together when driving anywhere is a total mystery. Actually it isn’t because I used to drive whilst he navigated. I have only let him drive us places since Sat Navs came into being! These ideas have evolved during many sleepless nighttime design sessions. My best ideas come at about 3am! My recent jewellery has increasingly come to contain memories and emotions; hopes and dreams. These new pieces have continued to develop this theme. Jewellery with meaning in celebration or remembrance, to inspire and define you.

    Map of Memories Necklace - Brighton

    Map of Memories Necklace – Brighton

    Champleve enamel on sterling silver. Silver, Champleve enamel. SOJE 238,51,61,101,604,161B

    Brighton is a very special place to my family and I. This Map of Memories necklace recalls many visits over the years, parking in Madeira Drive, walking along by the Wheel, up to the Brighton Pavilion in its green park, (one of my favourite places in the world,) and then back down to the sea to walk on the pier. I often seem to have been blessed with beautiful sunshine and a blue sky, even in winter so my Map of Memories Necklace symbolises the very best of days out in Brighton.

    Map of Memories Necklace - London

    Map of Memories Necklace – London

    Champleve enamel on silver. SOJE604,101,238 and BJG V23. All other colours are shaded with one over the other. The colours have been left pale to recall misty wintery days on the Thames.

    This Map of Memories necklace holds memories of many visits to London and trips down the river. Here we have embarked at Embankment and we travel down the river past Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s cathedral, Tower Bridge and then the Gherkin Building. 

    The edges of both these necklaces are irregular because memory is never perfect and the silver is shaped like pebbles to hold the fragments of special memories.

    Precious Places Bracelet - Belfast

    Precious Places Belfast Bracelet

    I like the idea of a piece of jewellery holding memories of people and places. This is a map of the Northern Ireland coastline. A gold X marks where Belfast is. My son Kieran is at University here and I like to wear this bracelet and think of him.

    Silver, 18ct gold, SOJE45, SOJE161B

    Precious Places Brooch - Sorrento

    Precious Places Sorrento Brooch

    A map of the Italian coastline. A gold X marks Sorrento. This is a place which holds lots of happy memories for my family and I. The concave shape holds the memory as a secret, thus it appears decorative with only selected people understanding the meaning.

    Silver, 18ct gold, SOJE45, SOJE161B

  • Jyppy the Dog – Pet Portrait in Enamel

    Jyppy the Dog – Pet Portrait in Enamel

    Jyppy Dog portrait in enamel

    I have been experimenting recently with enamel pictures of Jyppy my dog. This one measures 12 cm square and is shown next to the original photograph. It is on copper and uses a variety of techniques including stencils, riso screens and painting and is a combination of transparent and opaque enamels. I would like to be able to offer a commissioning service for these. I will be looking for some subjects and will offer a reduced rate! Let me know if you are interested. You just need to agree to me using it for publicity.

  • Dragonfly Pendant Commission

    Dragonfly Pendant Commission

    Before Christmas I was very excited to be asked to design and make a silver and enamel Dragonfly Pendant. I worked with the client over several months to produce the eventual design. It is always a huge honour to be asked to make something special like this which hopefully will become a family heirloom of the future. Here are some photos of the work in progress.

     

    Pierced, etched and engraved silver ready for enamelling

    First layer of enamel has been carefully wet laid in place and is ready for firing

    First layer of enamel has been fired to orange peel

    Second layer of enamel has been wetlaid and then fired to continue building up shading and depth of colour

    The Pendant has had several more layers of enamel and now is ready for the final stages. The surface will be meticulously ground until it is even and Matt, before being polished with diamond pads. In this case I chose to have the enamel surface an eggshell finish.

    Here the Pendant is complete with the silver polished to a subtle shine.