Tom Ellis began his career in enameling at the John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, North Carolina (folkschool.org) in 1974. He apprenticed under Gus and Maggie Masters. Tom was the resident enamelist until 1982.
In 1985 he became employed with Thompson Enamel, Bellevue, Kentucky, as Glass On Metal magazine editor, as well as technical consultant, and workshop instructor. In 1987 he was involved in the organizing of The Enamelist Society, working on its first three biennial conferences, exhibitions and as one of the first three trustees.
His enamel workshops have been held in many cities across the United States and in Venezuela, Trinidad, Canada and Australia. Currently he is employed as technical consultant for Thompson Enamel and is a workshop instructor for the Carpenter Enamel Center.
