Radical etching: Non-traditional etching techniques for steel with Bette Barnett. June 27 & 28

This two-day workshop is all about letting go of traditional approaches to etching and instead exploring nonconventional ways to etch steel that produce fresh and exciting results and head-turning jewelry. We'll ditch the uninspired commercial artwork and create imaginative, completely original designs. Release your inner Jackson Pollack to explore out-of-the-box etching resists, like:
 + Oil paint brush, spray and splatters
 + Rubber cement
 + Dry transfers and decals
 + Etching grounds (typically used in printmaking)
 + Freeform original hand cut stencils
 + Tape, glue...in fact, anything that sticks to the metal and holds up in the etching solution!

We’ll stretch the rules by layering etched patterns and explore new approaches to the etching process, such as stepped etching and intentionally over etching, resulting in unexpected and visually exciting effects. During the workshop you will have time to create two or more beautiful pieces of radically etching steel jewelry. Whether you have experience working with steel or are new to this fabulous metal, this workshop offers experience with techniques that can be used with many different metals.

What you'll learn:
 + Basics of steel. Understand the characteristics of steel, where to buy steel, different forms of steel and basics of working with steel (cleaning, cutting, sawing, filing, soldering, and forming).

+ Resists for etching. Work with many different types of non-traditional resists for creating original designs for etching including oil paint, stencils and tape. You will learn to cut your own stencil resist using an electric heat pen.

+ Etching set-up. Etching set-up. Prepare the electro-etching station, including the etchant and power source. Use different power sources, including batteries and a rectifier. 

+ Etching process. Monitor the etching process to achieve the best results. Troubleshoot any problems. Explore layering and over/under-etching to achieve different creative effects.

+ Patinas and sealers. Apply patinas and sealers that emphasize the dimensionality of the etched surface, including various colors of patinas and waxes.

Details:

• June 27 & 28 from 9:30-5:30 each day. You must be able to attend both days as no makeups will be given.
• 16 contact hours, located at 100 E. Cleveland St. Lafayette, CO 80026.
• # students: 4 minimum, 6 maximum
• Materials kit fees: $10 to Silver Peak for studio materials and $65 payable to instructor which includes the metals mad materials for class.
• Prerequisite: Metals 1, Intro to Metalsmithing or equivalent

The last day to cancel for a refund or credit ($25 transfer fee applies) is April 1, 2026. Because this is a Master Series workshop, there are no exceptions to this rule.

By registering for this workshop, you agree to our cancellation policy, dress code, and studio rules.

About the instructor, Bette Barnett

Bette is an authority on steel jewelry and actively explores new techniques in this area. She began her jewelry career in 2010 and started studying the steel/gold fusing process in 2013.  Bette has continued to focus on steel as a productive metal for jewelry. She has developed or refined many innovative techniques for creating steel jewelry, including Keum-boo on steel, fusing alternative metals to steel, fusing powdered metals to steel, working with non-traditional forms such as perforated steel sheet and woven mesh and, most recently, painting with powdered metals.

Bette has published articles in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist and MJSA Journal. Her book Creating Steel Jewelry, published by Artisan Ideas in September 2024, is a comprehensive how-to guide for all metalsmiths, including jewelers, bladesmiths and blacksmiths who want to venture into new areas.