Epona is a jeweller and hand-engraver, who specialises in traditional, Italian hand-push engraving. She transforms traditional heirlooms into contemporary jewellery, using ancient skills to craft modern classics. She engraves precious metals with textures of silk and velvety finishes, as well as decorative floral patterns and infinity and damask motifs, to create unique and distinctive pieces. Epona discovered her passion for hand-engraving in Florence, Italy before returning to London and establishing her own business – Epona Smith – in 2019.
Having now mastered hand-engraving, Epona is keen to build on her skills and is fascinated with the range of colour and effects that enamel can bring to a hand-engraved work. QEST funding will enable her to undergo one-to-one training with Jane Short in champlevé and basse-taille enamel skills, allowing her to enhance her hand-engraved work with colour and pattern. Over the next few years, Epona hopes to establish her own studio, with a mix of showroom and workshop, where people can see her work and appreciate the intricacies of the making process. Â
