Steel and gold jewelry workshop by Bette Barnett

Steel and Gold: A Love Story. Fusing Gold and Other Metals to Steel

Online

$125, discounted for multiple classes

February 17-18, 2024

Day 1 Workshop 10 am-12 pm Pacific Time
Day 2 Open Studio 3 pm Pacific Time

Fusing gold and other metals to steel results in jewelry that feels modern and edgy but also ancient and rich. The combination of noble and base metals has a surprising, almost paradoxical effect, setting off a visual contrast that is somewhat discordant yet alluring. Steel has a high melting temperature, making it ideal for fusing non-ferrous metals to it.

You will learn to:

  • Prepare metals for fusing
  • Fuse gold and other metals, such as argentium and copper, to steel
  • Set up the torch station for the fusing process
  • Adapt the fusing technique for different torches and gases
  • Manage the flow of fused gold and other alloys across the steel
  • Layer different fused metals
  • Apply a heat patina and sealer

Skill Level

Students should be comfortable using a torch and should possess basic metal working skills, such as sawing, filing and forming.  Students should be knowledgeable about safe practices in a jewelry studio.

Kit

$35 including shipping USPS flat rate small box For U.S. students, kits will be shipped approximately at least one week before the class start. For non-U.S. students the timing and shipping cost will be based on location.
  • Two sheets of mild steel sheet—20-gauge, 5” x 8”
  • Argentium wire 2” of 14g
  • Copper sheet 4” square piece of 36g sheet
  • Sample of clear metal wax
  • Handouts (Patterns for two class projects, course presentation handouts, and source sheets for purchasing materials and supplies)

Student-provided Supplies

Note that the sources shown are merely examples. Many different vendors can be sourced for these products. In addition to the general list for tools and supplies needed for working with steel (see “Basic Tools and Supplies” PDF below), you will need to provide the following supplies, materials and tools for this class:
  • At least one inch of 14k, 18k or 20k gold wire, 14 gauge. from Rio Grande or other metal supply vendors
  • Soft silicon wheel such as a Shofu Wheel (fine, flat edge). From Rio Grande
  • OPTIONAL Patina. Either gun bluing Oxpho Blue Brownells or Presto-black PC9 Sculpt Nouveau
  • Your choice of clear Metal Wax from Sculpt Nouveau OR Bowling Alley Wax from Amazon

Basic Tools & Supplies

For supplies, materials and tools that you will need to provide for all classes, please refer to the basic list for tools and supplies needed for working with steel in the pdf below. As with the list of class-specific supplies (above), many of these are items that you may have on hand. Note that the sources shown are merely examples. Many different vendors can be sourced for these products.

Basic Tools and Supplies for Working with Steel »

All classes are $125 each. If you sign up for two classes, each class is $110, and for three or more classes, $100. The cost of a kit, if any, will be additional. Discounts for multiple classes will be applied at checkout.

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