An Afternoon with
Bette Barnette
Keum Boo on Steel
Thursday, February 2, 2021
A New Twist on an Ancient Technique
Keum Boo is an ancient Korean metal arts technique that involves bonding 24k gold foil to silver and other metals. By using heat and pressure, the technique involves diffusion bonding two metals together to create a permanent attachment that is both durable and beautiful.
In the late 21 st century, the Keum Boo technique began gaining popularity in the United States with silver almost exclusively used as the foundation metal. In this presentation, Bette Barnett will discuss how steel can be used as the foundation metal for Keum Boo, an approach that has been largely unexplored yet produces dramatic results.
Drawing from demonstrations and information featured in her workshops, Bette will discuss the many advantages that steel offers for bonding both 24k gold and fine silver foil, creating dramatic mixed metals jewelry.
She will share examples of her work, demonstrating the many creative opportunities that steel offers for the Keum Boo process. She will also show a few brief pre-recorded video segments of the hands-on processes involved. Finally, she will talk about the extensive advantages that steel offers for creating dramatic mixed metals jewelry.
See more of Bette’s work and her classes on her website.
After the Demo Update!
(If you missed it, remember that members can watch the recorded demo on the Facebook Members’ Page, check it out! And if you aren’t a member but would like to be, visit the Membership page)
What an interesting technique Bette showed us in her presentation. After she showcased all the possibilities, our minds were buzzing with ideas. She explained to us about various metals, and how they may be bonded together so smoothly that it feels like one single piece, instead of the added silver or gold being a separate layer on top of the base. Bette told us which tools are her favorites, as well as what specifics she looks for in the gold and silver foil in order to make her pieces most successful.
Using steel as the base, Bette applies and bonds gold and silver foil pieces to the pre-shaped steel base. The process requires using heat and pressure (surprisingly little pressure) to bond the metal foil to the metal base. In one piece Bette presented, she used both silver and gold as an embellishment for a different look.
She reminded us that many of the tools used in the process may already be in our possession, so it would not take a large outlay of money to experiment with the process. Bette demonstrated the basic techniques, and also discussed some of the more advanced methods she uses and teaches.
Thank you Bette, for sharing your time and expertice with us!
Visit Bette’s website to see more of her work and get information on any classes she may offer.
If you would like to show some appreciation for Bette’s generosity in sharing her skills with us, you can send her something for her tip jar (any amount, large or small is welcome.)
Dragon members have access to this recorded presentation, found on our Facebook Members Group.