Radical Etching with a Touch of Zen

Non-conventional etching techniques mixed with Keum-Boo on steel! This master class is all about creating intense drama by etching steel in nonconventional ways and then adding a layer of fine gold or fine silver foil (or a combination of the two) that bonds seamlessly to the hills and valleys of the etched surface. 

It’s time to ditch the uninspired commercial artwork that’s traditionally used for etched patterns on metals. This three-day experience is your chance to throw caution to the wind and create fresh and completely original etched designs.  We’ll explore a range of out-of-the-box resists—dry transfers, spray paint and splatters, freeform hand cut stencils, tape, glue, even fused metals… anything that will stick to the steel and hold up in the etching solution We’ll also wander outside traditional etching approaches by layering patterns for unexpected and visually exciting effects. We’ll break the rules about etching processes by intentionally under or over-etching, achieving very cool results.  

Etched steel is beautiful, but adding a bit of bling takes it to a whole new level. You will learn to apply 24k gold foil (Keum-Boo) and fine silver foil (Eun-Boo) to your etched steel pieces a technique that dates to the earliest Korean dynasties and involves bonding the foil to metal using heat and burnishing.  Keum-Boo on etched steel creates a play of light and shadow across the surface, emphasizing the etched pattern.  

In this master class, you will learn:

Basics of steel. Understand the characteristics of steel, how to buy steel, different forms of steel (sheet, wire, mesh and perforated sheet) and basics of working with steel (cleaning, cutting, sawing, filing, soldering, texturing, 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. Prepare the 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.

Keum-Boo/Eun-Boo on etched steel. Work with gold and silver foil to prepare it for the Keum-Boo/Eun-Boo process. Bond the foil to steel using a torch or a small tabletop kiln.

Patinas. Patinate your steel jewelry. We will work with several types of patinas, including heat and chemical in a wide range of colors and effects that add drama to the surface of etched steel.

Sealers. Seal steel jewelry to protect it for years to come. We will work with different types of sealers, including oil, wax and lacquer.

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. The workshop is suitable for all levels; however, basic metalsmithing skills such as sawing, soldering and forming will be helpful. During the workshop you will have an opportunity to create at least two pieces of dramatic etched steel jewelry with Keum-Boo/Eun-Boo.