Creating Steel Jewelry: Etching, Fusing, Keum Boo, Enameling, Stainless and More

Bette Barnett

Book cover for Creating Steel Jewelry: Etching, Fusing, Keum Boo, Enameling, Stainless and More
Book cover for Creating Steel Jewelry: Etching, Fusing, Keum Boo, Enameling, Stainless and More

Creating Steel Jewelry: Etching, Fusing, Keum Boo, Enameling, Stainless and More

Creating Steel Jewelry: Etching, Fusing, Keum Boo, Enameling, Stainless and More

Bette Barnett

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Description

This book is a must-have resource for all metalsmiths, including jewelers, blacksmiths and bladesmiths who wish to venture into new areas for their talents. Each technique covered is broken down into practical steps, supported by photographs and illustrations.

Starting with the basics, the book is a benchtop guide which will carry you through the process of embellishing steel by fusing, enameling, etching, Keum Boo, patinating, etc. to create jewelry and other steel decorative objects.

This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of knowledge, techniques and inspiration for beginners and experienced artisans alike. Rich with interesting background information and practical guidance, the book is drawn from the hundreds of hours that the author has devoted to teaching students throughout the world in the art of creating steel jewelry.

--Bette Barnett

Critical Reviews

"I attended a couple of Bette Barnett's online steel workshops in 2023 and really enjoyed them, so I was excited to hear that she was writing a book. Bette is an authority on steel jewellery (I'm sorry, the book is American so it uses the US spelling - but I just can't. Sorry!). Bette innovates and experiments, pushing the boundaries, and her enthusiasm and expertise shine through the book.

In the foreward, Peter Johnsson writes, "Bette presents to us a travelogue for curious metal artists who want to explore new creative territories ... It is a grimoire for the artisan alchemists who want to manifest a 'metalmorphosis' in their work." This captures the essence of the work. It's a book for metal artists and jewellers who want to play and explore. Bette talks through different kinds of steel, their properties and how you can use them, with interesting snippets of the history of iron and steel jewellery.

The book provides technical information on steel and guidance on techniques for using it, including etching, fusing with gold, keum boo, patination and sealing. A chapter on stainless steel was contributed by Andy Cooperman, and one on enamelling by Amanda Denison.

There are clear verbal instructions on techniques, accompanied by images of the processes alongside safety tips and troubleshooting advice. It's aimed at developing your overall competence rather than offering specific projects. The book is packed with interesting and useful information as well as images of beautiful jewellery made with steel.

So - I think this book has its place on every jeweller's bookshelf. Especially mine." - Jo Lally - Findings (The Magazine for the Association of Contemporary Jewelry), Issue 77, Autumn, 2024

--Jo Lally (11/1/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"I am beyond excited to see that Bette Barnett has written a book, "Creating Steel Jewelry". Bette's work with fusing gold to steel has been on my radar for several years now. Bette creates pieces with incredible layers of depth, texture and color by incorporating techniques such as etching, painting with powdered metals, different types of patination, enamel and bonding precious metals to steel. Bett has done the research on what works and she knows her stuff. If you are interested in adding dimension to your finished work, whether as a jeweler, blacksmith or bladesmith, this book will provide you with inspiration and the details to get it done." -- Becky Schimpff, ABANA Education Committee Chair.

--Becky Schimpff "Artist Blacksmith Association of North America" (12/5/2024 12:00:00 AM)

Publishing Information

Publisher: Artisan Ideas
Pub date: 2024-10-30
Length: 160 pages

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