Bette Barnett - Studio Migoto, USA
Bette Barnett is the owner of Studio Migoto, in La Mesa, California, where she is recognized for her expertise in steel with gold utilizing Keum Boo techniques. Bette holds a B.S. in education and journalism from North Texas University and spent a career working as a corporate communication consultant before transitioning to jewelry-making in 2010. She is an avid jewelry instructor at her private studio and in workshops around the United States, including Sawtooth School for Visual Arts, Metalwerx School for Jewelry, Mendocino Art Center and Creative Side Jewelry Academy. Bette has published articles on steel and gold in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine. This is her first presentation at the Santa Fe Symposium®.
Expanding Horizons for Steel in Mixed Metals Jewelry
This paper expands the current body of knowledge about mild (low-carbon) steel and fused gold by exploring innovations such as fusing silver, copper, shakudo, shibuichi and various alloys to steel. It summarizes results of comparative experiments identifying best practices for working with steel including annealing, forming, soldering, patination and sealing the steel. In addition, it examines the feasibility of fusing a wide range of metals and alloys to steel and assesses their coverage, flow, finish and color. The paper goes on to explore methods to control and limit the flow of fused gold and other metals across the surface of steel. It discusses the efficacy and processes involved in diffusion and mechanically bonding metals to steel including keum-boo. Finally, various steel patination methods to determine intensity, color and durability will be compared and preferred methods for application will be shared.