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

Description

Creating steel jewelry requires a blend of traditional and innovative techniques, and this book, Creating Steel Jewelry, offers a complete guide.

Who will benefit from this book, and why.

NOT JUST FOR JEWELRY MAKERS:

“Creating Steel Jewelry is an excellent reference and instructional book for blacksmiths who would like to create beautiful items from low carbon steel using their blacksmith experience and adding a new approach and look to their work. You already have the blacksmith background, experience, and a scrap bucket of material. You are on your way to success anytime of the year with this specialty.” – Chris Holt, The Hammer’s Blow (Journal of the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America)

“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.

Master swordsmith Peter Johnsson explains:

“In this book Bette Barnett presents to us a travelogue for curious metal artists who want to explore new creative territories. A multitude of techniques is clearly detailed so that we may ourselves explore the beauty and the marriage between iron and gold. It is a grimoire for the artisan alchemists who want to manifest a metamorphosis in their work.”

Creating Steel Jewelry 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 (see examples and information from Charles Lewton-Brain’s website), patinating, etc. to create jewelry and other steel decorative objects such as small steel sculptures, knives and swords. This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of knowledge, techniques and inspiration for beginners and experienced artisans alike.

Rich with interesting background and practical guidance, Creating Steel Jewelry 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.

Hardcover, 162 pages, 306 high-quality color photos, charts and drawings.

Written by Bette Barnett with contributions by Amanda Denison, a recognized expert in the field of enameling (visit her website or follow her on Instagram for more of her work), and Andy Cooperman known for his innovative work with stainless steel, also contributes valuable insights (check out his website or follow him on Instagram for inspiration). Foreword by master swordsmith, Peter Johnsson. Technical consultant, Harold O’Connor, jewelry artist and author.

Chapters:

INTRODUCTION

BASICS OF STEEL

MATERIALS, TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

WORKING WITH STAINLESS STEEL

ETCHING LOW CARBON STEEL

FUSING GOLD AND OTHER METALS TO STEEL

FUSING POWDERED METALS TO STEEL

KEUM BOOK ON STEEL

PATINATING STEEL

SEALING STEEL JEWELRY

ENAMELLING ON STEEL

PHOTO GALLERY