Janine Partington

Janine Partington is a Bristol based maker working in enamel, leather, stitch and paper.

Enamel: Janine discovered the craft of enamelling through adult education evening classes in Bristol in the early 2000s and very quickly fell in love with it. As interested in the design as the process, Janine strives to combine the traditional craft of enamelling with fresh, clean and contemporary design to create framed panels, standing figures, vessels and jewellery. She is always thinking of new ideas, new designs. 

Enamelling is the art of fusing glass on to metal. It is durable, strong and colour-fast. Janine creates intricate hand-cut stencils which she then lays on to copper. Her stencils are inspired by birds, trees, flowers, seed heads and the landscape. After sifting the powdered enamel over the stencil Janine fires the piece at 800°C. This process is repeated many times until the work is finished. Whilst she re-use stencils, no two pieces are identical due to the nature of the process. Her beautifully simple images are transformed into something magical by the kiln she works with. 

Leather: In June 2018 Janine completed a part-time MA in Design (distinction) at the University of the West of England. During this course she made the creative leap into working with a very traditional material, leather, in a fresh, contemporary and unique way. Drawing on past experiences with printmaking, bookbinding and embroidery Janine has explored mark making through the carving and painting of leathers. She loves the freedom of working instinctively as each mark responds to the presence of what has come before. Each wall panel or brooch or vessel that she creates is unique.

Janine is a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, British Society of Enamellers, Design Nation and Future Icons. She was selected to be part of the Crafts Council’s Hothouse mentoring programme in 2020.

Janine’s designs have been licensed by a number of companies including John Lewis, Oxfam and the National Trust. She has exhibited widely across the UK in galleries and fairs including the Contemporary Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey, Made by Hand in Cardiff and Cheltenham, Art in Action, Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester, Made Brighton and Origin and Collect in London.

Janine was awarded Best in Show in 2017 and Llantarnam Grange Craft Showcase Award in 2018 at Made by Hand Cardiff, and the Design Trust Most Promising Craft Business Award at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in 2019.

Janine is always happy to discuss commissions or collaborations.

**We're looking forward to having Janine's work with us soon...