Sarah Hemmings Vourda

Sarah Hemmings-Vourda makes enamel and precious metal jewellery in her workshop in Torquay, Devon.

Her childhood was spent exploring the fringes of Dartmoor with its dark woodlands and abandoned mines left a deep impression on Sarah and she continues to be inspired by fairy tales in her jewellery, hibernating creatures and dark forests as well as the interconnectedness between the human and the natural world.

Sarah Hemmings-Vourda rejoices in the opportunities that silver enamel jewellery creates for spontaneity as well as permanence. Her preferred method of torch-firing is a fast and fluid process which requires instinctive reactions and sensitive observation of cause and effect. As enamel does not fade or degrade, the results are permanent. ‘Enamelling silver is a wonderful way to preserve the briefest of marks,” Sarah says, ‘Thus allowing fleeting thoughts or experiences to become permanent in my silver jewellery.”

As well as making enamelled, silver jewellery, Sarah also teaches at South Devon College in Silversmithing and Enamelling.