Creating Steel Jewelry

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 is a recognized authority on steel jewelry, a sought-after teacher and innovator in metalsmithing. In this landmark book, Bette shares her deep experience in a broad range of techniques for creating dramatic steel jewelry.

Bette began her metalsmithing career in 2010, and in 2013 the late Chris Nelson introduced her to steel and gold, engendering her ongoing passion for creating steel jewelry. Bette built on those studies by exploring, testing and perfecting techniques that had never been fully documented, including the ancient art of Keum Boo on steel, fusing alternative metals to steel, fusing powdered metals to steel and working with various non-traditional forms of steel such as perforated sheet and woven steel mesh.

As a leader in metals research, Bette has published articles on steel jewelry techniques in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist and MJSA Journal. She authored a research paper for the prestigious Santa Fe Symposium entitled "Steel Jewelry-Expanding the Horizons of Steel and Gold", which she presented to the Symposium in 2020. Bette's focus is on educating all metalsmiths—blacksmiths, bladesmiths and jewelers—encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and explore the creative potential of steel jewelry.

Webpage: studiomigoto.com

Facebook: facebook.com/studiomigoto/

Facebook.com/groups/steeljewelry

Instagram: @bettebarnet

"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

“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.