Keum-Boo - Estona Metalsmithing & Jewelry Making Tutorials
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.พ. 2022
- Keum-Boo is an ancient Korean technique where very thin gold leaf is fused to fine silver. This tutorial was requested by several viewers and I hope you will all enjoy watching it. It is yet another way to combine silver with gold and the possibilities are endless. Whether you are covering an entire piece in gold leaf or just certain parts. And you can even cut out gold leaf in a desired shape and place it on your silver. I do have to warn you there, you might need steel nerves for it seeing as the gold leaf is so fragile. If you have anything to add after watching this tutorial, such as information that can help out your metalsmithing partners in crime, please feel free to leave a comment.
So, I can't say it enough. Thank you again for watching my tutorials. I hope these will make you feel inspired to try something new. So just get out there, give it a go and enjoy! Don't have the right tools? Check out my affiliate links with nice discount codes below. By using these affilate links buying tools is a lot of fun for the both of us! You will receive a nice discount and I will receive a small bonus from the company mentioned as well. I will only work with companies I trust, have talked to face to face, and who provide quality tools.
Furthermore I would like to point out that all my videos are and will remain free. In return, it would be awesome if you could take the time to share my channel on your socials. That's all. I think it's a privilege to create a community of people doing what I love most. So thank you so much for your support, it means the world to me.
Have a wonderful day,
Bregje
Herens & Herens:
If you are from Europe, check out Herens&Herens. Their website is www.herens.nl. It is a Dutch site, but you can just send them a mail at info@herens.nl if you can't figure it out. You don't need a KvK (chamber of commerce) number to order, but you do have to register just so they can make sure you are a serious hobbyist or a professional. If you place your order there and add the code estona5 in the comment section while checking out, you will receive a 5% discount on all of their tools including the metalsmithing course starter packages. Whoop whoop!
Gesswein:
And for all of you out of Europe there is Gesswein. A family business based in America, but they ship worldwide. A wonderful company with people eager to help. So if you are looking for a starter package or you want to add other tools to your collection, take a look at www.gesswein.com. By using the discount code EST21 you will receive a 5% discount on almost all of their tools.
Durston Tools:
Go to www.durston.com/estona AND use the discount code estona10 to receive a whopping 10% discount on your order at durston tools. They provide all kinds of tools and jewellers furniture.
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Hello. Good tutorial. I'm a jeweler myself and I have a tip for you: for you to achieve that "frosty" layer without copper you have to anneal the piece and when is red-hot drop it in a concentrate pickle solution. You have to do this only one time. This is a technique used in finishing silver coin rings. I hope that will work for you too. Regards from Romania!
Thank you so much for watching and for leaving this great tip Tino! I am sure it will help many people out. Thanks!!
Another great video thank you. Packed with information and, as always, honestly presented - showing the whole processes - including the unfortunate ones!
I am newly in keum-boo technique. I’m learning everything from your tutorials. You are so kind and sweetheart. Love your work and your soul. ❤thanks again 😊❤🎉
Thank you for another interesting and useful tutorial ! I’m certainly going to give this a try!
Love this information. I paid good money from another jeweler to watch his tutorial. Thanks again for this one. For the algorithm!
Hi Ruth, thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it. Too bad you didn't see this one first, ;-)
@@Estona.Jewelry.Tutorials Yup. This guy Joe Korth shows different ways. On one video he shows heating a little domed circle with a torch from underneath for a long time, like 5 minutes. I forget but he shows it in realtime and it may have been much longer. He showed it in real time so I'm not sure; was just real impatient to get it over with. Another one he heats it with the hot plate like you show. Both ways worked.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for keeping it real. Making jewelry doesn’t always go smoothly and many don’t show that. I appreciate it and you. 😊
Thanks Susan!
A few tips:
- You can use a paper punch through the paper (with the gold still inside) to cut shapes.
- As you mentioned, you can skip all those annealing steps if you use fine silver.
- The gold might stick easier if you texture the silver first. All the other tutorials I've watched do it on textured silver so that's what I do.
- Buy a very fine tipped tweezers and use it ONLY for placing gold on Keum Boo. Do not allow it to get messed up by pointing a torch at it.
- You can use a fiberglass brush to push down on the gold before burnishing. Just press straight down with the bristles short.
- As you mentioned, you should have multiple agate burnishers handy. Keep two away from heat and swap to a cool one when needed.
- Liver of sulfur will darken the silver but not the gold.
I love your tutorials but it's good to watch what others are doing. Most of the above tips come from a video course I learned a lot from. I've found that Keum Boo is a hard sell because people don't always see the value of the gold, which can be very costly. (I've paid $60 for a 3x3 inch sheet. Ouch!) My best seller is domed earrings with gold oak leaves on them; I blacken the silver but leave the gold bright.
Thank you so much for adding your tips Maria, that will really help other viewers as well!
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. I am about to do some keum boo - I learned the technique some years ago but very much needed to brush up on the basics; I had completely forgotten about the need to depletion gild the sterling silver!
Glad I could help out. Hope everything worked out for you?
You have beautiful hands.
Thanks for your help
Thanks!
Thank you very much - that was very helpful. I AM going to give it a go!
Another wonderful video. I like how you let us ride the learning curve with you. I recently did my first Keum boo, and found that if I cut the gold leaf with the paper it comes sandwiched between, I was able to control the design much more. I have seen recently where someone used a paper punch to make shapes, like Kimberly asked about, again with the leaf sandwiched between the paper layers.
Thank you Bregje.
Yep. That’s how. To keep it clean as well.
Awsome tips thank you God bless you 🤍💜🤍
Thank you so much for watching! And the paper punch certainly is a great idea! Someone else left a comment about using a small plastic pastry pencil that can withstand heath to use to pick up the gold leaf. I think that can help picking up a shape made with a punch.
Very well explained, thant you very much !
Thanks
Ohhhh, thank you so much for supporting my channel. It is so kind of you to leave a tip,
Very interesting
The "Master" ( Sang-Hoon )who I was fortunate to learn from, was up the mountains of Korea almost a Hermit ( Real Hollywood stuff ) his hot plate was a flat stone heated in a open fire, you can omit the reticulation if you use Argentium, ( I use Argentium all the time these days) Sang-Hoon produced remarkable little scenes e.g. birds in trees on silver using Keum Boo. One tip you can use a small natural bristle brush as a gilders tip to pick up and apply the Gold Foil.
Thank you very much for your reply and for the tips! I will definitely put them to good use!
for Americans…gold foil from Contenti is better than from RioGrande…..in my opinion..
what is also nice is that gold does not take the liver sulfur…u can create a nice contrast of black silver and gold.
yeah some tiny stones into the oval…like stars in a dark sky. Nice piece 😍
Thanks for the tips Sybille!
You are brilliant. I just ordered gold for keum boo and needed a refresher - Its so pricey, I haven't done it for a while. Thanks as always for the excellent content and delivery!
Thank you so much,
Hi friend ! I really wanted learn this application .Super ! Your tutorial was just perfect . Have a wonderful day .
Hello, Bregje. Thank you so much! I enjoy your tutorials, and may I please also compliment your as a person - you're adorable! The lessons are very informative and I'll share your channel link as much as I can. Warm regards from Russia!
That is so kind of you, thank you very much! I am enjoying making videos and am happy to share my love for the trade. Thank you for appreciating it.
I just loved this. You have given me more ideas and techniques. I learn a lot from you. Thank you.
You are most welcome Chuck, thank you for watching!
Again a great tutorial, enjoy it each time, thank you.
Dankjewel Willemijn!
Thank you, very informative. From Washington State
Nice technique. I am going to try it as soon as I can get some gold leaf. Thanks.
You explained this so simply! I love that you show your mistakes. Thank you for this video!
Thank you, Bregje! Before watching your new video, I didn't know what Keum-Boo was or how to achieve this technique. It is very interesting to learn how to apply the gold-leaf and how to address concerns while working with it! Thank you for teaching in such a clear and understandable manner! I hope to continue learning along with you and your channel! Thanks again!😍❤😘
Thank you so much for watching again Samra and for leaving such a kind comment. Thank you!
I've never seen this done before!!! Thank You!!!!
Thanks for this. The gold really makes it pop. Nice!
Thanks Lisa!
I absolutely love watching your video's. I learn so much for them. I find myself looking for the next one!.
Thank you for the video's
Thank you so much for watching Sharon!
Thank you for this video with lots of useful information!
Keum Boo I had never heard before/In my thirtyeight years I made workpieces , I had never seen it. leaf gold is particuarly e very expensive material, but it makes great fun
Thanks for watching again Gunther!
Thanks for another great tutorial. I've been curious about this technique and it adds a pop of elegance with the gold!
Thanks Linda!
Very nice tutorial and what a wonderful piece you made with the moon reflecting as golden in color. Looks very retro. Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing that with us . See you on the next one. Cheers
Thanks Steve!
Wow this was pretty cool to see done. I thought gold foil was just for food. Cheers Begje!
Could you have soldered the « Moon » to the round backplate AFTER applying the gold? You are both an excellent teacher and alrtist silversmeith, such a beautiful combination - thank you so much for the generous sharing.
Great tutorial! Quenching into pickle will generate acid fumes and splashing, so sufficient ventilation and eye protection would be advised!
Absolutely Connor, I agree!
Thank you you have demonstrated this technique beautifully
Thank you Norma, :-)
Great video!
Helpful comments and suggestions too.
Well done Brechia!
It’s great! Thank you for the tutorial, I have had the gold leaf for a long time and had no idea how to apply it with the heat.
I love your vlogs!
Really looks good
Very interesting tutorial. Thank you as always. I learn a lot from your tutorials!
Dank je wel voor deze instructie. Stond hoog op mijn verlanglijstje om te leren!
Graag gedaan Anouk!
Beautiful, thank you!
that's such a cool technique, i've never heard of it! gold leaf makes me super nervous and i held my breath when you were trying to pick it up bahahah :D i'm going to try this technique for sure, to experiment with textures. thank you so much for making this video! it's so cool to see something so experimental :D
Thanks for watching Alisa! Picking up the gold leaf was without a doubt the most difficult part of this project. Luckily you can just add piece by piece.
Very interesting! Nice finished piece! 💙
Nice work
Thank you very much!
Kerala gold smith
So cool! 😍
Really loved that, very beautiful ❤️
💯👍👍
Love this technique!
Thanks for sharing the tutorial!! I have had trouble finding a hot plate to heat high enough to melt the gold foil, after my 1st one died. Some of the ones with a cover on it like yours never got very hot. It seems like the round coiled open hot plate with a sheet of metal placed over it, gives me the most heat.
Nice!
Thank you so much for all your videos - I have two Questions : can I take any type gold leaf such as 24 Karat for restauration? And : You ask for ideas about new Tutorials - can you make a video about making brooch pins? Greatings from Germany
Thank you so much for watching Ingolf! I used the gold leaf that is also used by painters. I think this is the same gold leaf you are referring to. It is very thin and will tear easily but as you can see you can really use it to add a gold accent to your work. And thank you very much for adding an idea, those are always welcome!
Nice technique and video. Now, I'm wondering why we don't deplete our silver for all applications?
I am running into a language barrier here and google translate isn't of help. Can you explain to me what you mean with the word 'deplete'?
I think she means getting rid of the copper as you did in this video. Thanks so much for this video. I thought Keum boo was much harder than this! I used to put gold leaf on wood as a child when my mom was into decoupage. (I had no idea back then how expensive it was! How could she afford it?) That experience will come in handy. By the way, you have the loveliest speaking voice, so warm and as if laughing from sheer happiness! And your English: 🙌🏻
Ahh, thank you Judith. And it's so nice to revisit some memories. I think you were the only child with gold covered sticks, :-)
Hi, thank you for the video :) I was searching for the handout but couldn't find it. Could you give me the link please? Thank you very much.
Great tutorial Bregje. What do you think would happen with fake goldleaf ? (From Ali Express)
I have to tell you I live watching your tutorials and listening to you even more!! You are so talented! I appreciate your explaining everything so thoroughly and clearly.
You mentioned a type of hand machine like a flex shaft, what kind was it you used in this tutorial? I’m not very happy with the one I use.
Thank you kindly
Katherine
Hi Katherine, thank you so much, that is so kind of you! I received a marathon micro motor from Gesswein (they are based in America but ship worldwide) and truly am very happy with it. I have made a tutorial on it: th-cam.com/video/FqobpbbVwCg/w-d-xo.html. Hope this can help you out. And if you do decide to order it, you will even get a 5% discount if you use the code EST21. :-)
💕
👍👍👍♥️
Love how it turned out! I’d love to know what soldering paste did u use to sweat solder the moon cut out to the circle disc cut out? Was it medium or hard?
I believe it was hard zilver solder. Normally with a bigger piece I would go for regular solder in stead of soldering paste but I was in a bit of a hurry and tried to save myself some time here.
Maybe a small silicone pastry brush would work well, they are delicate, light weight & take high heat
That is a great idea Debbie! My tweezers were a bit too sharp to pick up the gold leaf. Love this tip, I am certainly going to use it!
Hello Bregje. Firstly, let me say how invaluable your tutorials are to me. You are my favourite online instructor. I have a question about your fun keum boo demo that I recently watched. I have always wanted to try this and have read instructions from other jewellers. They seem to prefer the thicker gold foil for a much more intense gold on silver contrast. But I would like to try it with the gold leaf first simply because I already have some. Here is my question: how do you get the gold leaf off the backing tissue? It is so very thin, I cannot peel it away from the tissue. Tweezers don’t seem to work. Thank you Brejge for any help you can give me. Joy in Canada
Hi Joy, thank you so much for your message and the beautiful compliment! That is so kind of you!! I myself couldn't find thicker gold leaf. I can understand that this will pop out a bit more. But with the thinner gold leaf you can just add several layers. It is quite hard to get the gold leaf off the backing tissue. Giving up on doing it very neatly and precisely helped me out. Maybe it will help you as well, :-)
Hi, this looks very interesting. I wonder if it`s possible to use this technique for both sides of a pendant?
Hi Kay, I think it should be possible, seeing as the gold does not burn and it is burnished on to the silver. So I would give it a go if I were you. And if it doesn't work, you can just sand it off.
Thank you! Can you keumboo a piece and than solder it ? ( fe if I keumboo a bezel strip before soldering to plate, or will the torch be too hot?
Hi Herman, you should be able to solder it but I would definitely advise you not to do so. If there is any air underneath the gold or if you just overheat it a bit too much you will be left with a mess. So I would only add it as a final finishing touch.
This is an amazing technique, thank you for showing us.
I wrote a mail to gesswein, because I would like to buy the micromotor, but still got no answer.
I was asking if there is a possibillity to buy it in Europe, because the shipping costs from USA are so expensive
I believe Gesswein is offline for a couple of days, they are updating their system. So maybe that is why you haven't heard from them. Shipping costs from the Netherlands to the States and vice versa are ridiculously expensive. If you are from Europe, you can always check out Herens & Herens. They have a micromotor as well. I do have to say that I didn't use it myself so I don't know if it is similar. But you can always contact them. Maybe we should hook up Gesswein and Herens. That would be the best of both worlds! But maybe that's an idea for another day. You will find discount codes for both Gesswein and Herens & Herens in the description of my video. You will receive a 5% discount and I will receive a small bonus as well. So that's a win-win situation. But never feel obligated to order anywhere, just do whatever makes you happy. :-)
How would this hold up on say a ring? With daily washing etc? It would rub off?
Hi Ashley, plated products (whether you are using Keum-Boo or gold plating) will loose there shine over time. The added layer will come off. It can be a matter of years but more likely sooner. So personally I am not a fan of using this for jewelry that is intensively warn. And if you do want to sell a product with gold plating or Keum-Boo I would always warn the customer that the layer can and probably will come off over time.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️
Thank you for doing the keum - Boo I have seen different techniques but I truly enjoyed yours. I don’t know what you will be doing next week, but I have started a new limited collection it called my cactus collection using different Variscite stones… I’m getting so frustrated I’m using 10g wire to make the cactus 🌵 look real. So it’s a lot of soldering involved.can I osend you a photo and maybe you can give me some tips on what I’m doing wrong ??? I have also cut out a back plate in the shape of the cactus 🌵 because this piece will go on my bracelet t
I’m using 2 half round wire 6g I will solder each side of the bottom part of the wire together then stretch the wire open then solder the cactus back plate on the top of the wire.
Back to the cactus I need to make the 3 wires curve at the bottom I’m using less then 1 inch for the 3 wires on both side.. the Variscite will go in the middle and one cactus 🌵 like this one in the that’s green I will have one branch out one each side… anyway I’m starting to sound confusing. Can I send you a photo & where? They beaches must curve and not look like L shapes shacked one on each other..
Thank you for all you do with your TH-cam channel, Autumn Michelle
Hi Michell, of course you can send me a picture. If you can do so at instagram (@estona.jewelry.tutorials) I will try to help you out. It is a bit difficult to get an idea of what you are trying to make this way. A picture would certainly help.
@@Estona.Jewelry.Tutorials yes I realize it’s very difficult with out seeing what I’m actually trying to accomplish. I have been coming up with ideas and I decided it’s time to use cooper wire to practice instead of my sterling silver…. I will send you my drawings
Thank you so much
Hello. Forgive me if you answered. Are you using gold LEAF or gold FOIL.? Thanks
Hi Carol, I am using leaf gold. Or gold leaf. Don't know in which order to put the words. In the Netherlands it is called 'bladgoud'.
Oh! …a technique question: is there any way to stencil the gold leaf onto the sterling…say if I wanted to make gold star shapes on a disk? Maybe I’d need to make my own metal stencil out of some thin metal that wouldn’t stick when heated?. If there is such a thing 🤔
You could use a little paper cut out stamp if you know what I mean. A small hobby punch. But getting the shape onto the silver in one piece presents a how new challenge, :-)
@@Estona.Jewelry.Tutorials yes I can it might be difficult. Thx
Hallo Bregje, Wat een mooie techniek! Ik wilde bladgoud bestellen bij Linova, maar nu moet ik kiezen tussen los bladgoud of transfer. welk bladgoud heb jij gebruikt?
Hallo Lydia, ik heb gewoon bladgoud besteld bij een winkel in schilderbenodigdheden. Groetjes Bregje
Please clarify which is the correct gold to use for Keum Boo. You mention Gold Foil in your video, I understand Gold foil is way too thin for this technique, it should be Gold FOIL. Love your videos.
Sorry, You mentioned Gold LEAF not foil in your video. I made an error in my previous comment.
You are right. I’ve also learned to use thicker 24 carat gold foil ( you can buy it for example at Craftlines) as material for Art Clay Silver) You can take it in your hands and cut it with a scissor.
Because it is thicker, the result is really smooth
Hello Hector, as you can see I am using gold leaf in this tutorial and it worked out nicely. So I wouldn't say it is too thin. If there would be something a bit thicker (for instance twice the thickness of gold leaf) that would be even better but I wouldn't know where to get it. The reason why I think it would be better is because it would tear less easily and could be used for cutting out a certain shape. If you would like to use the gold leaf to cover a certain shape with it, you can add multiple layers.
Waar koop jij je goud voor dit project ? Ik kom alleen maar imitatie bladgoud tegen 🤷♀️
Hallo Elly, ik heb het online gevonden bij een winkel voor schilderbenodigdheden.
Wat een leuke techniek! Wanneer is je website weer online Bregje?
Dankjewel Frances! Ik hoop deze week. Heb iemand gevraagd om me erbij te helpen, nu zou het goed moeten komen, :-)
@@Estona.Jewelry.Tutorials Ik help mee hopen 😉
Hallo Bregje
Ik kijk al een tijdje naar je tutorials en óók die waarin je bladgoud verwerkt..
Ik koop mijn benodigdheden meestal bij Bijoumoderne maar kon ook daar géén bladgoud vinden.
Heb jij een adres waar je dit op een vertrouwde wijze kunt kopen.
Vriendelijke groet. F de Wijs
Het bladgoud heb ik bij een online winkel in schilderbenodigdheden gekocht. Ik hoop dat je met google een beetje verder kunt komen. Ik weet namelijk niet meer waar ik het precies besteld hebt. En gewoon een tip, Herens en Herens is ook een geweldige leverancier. Mocht je daar iets willen bestellen, met de code estona5 krijg je iedere keer 5% korting. Altijd mooi meegnomen.
Oh God, I'll end up covered in gold and there'll be nothing on my silver..
I would be lying if I was saying I didn't sparkle myself after making this tutorial.
I tried this, too. It looked good, but when I used an ultrasonic cleaner all the gold disappeared from my piece.
Hi Julia, if the gold isn't fused thoroughly that can happen. I avoided the ultrasonic altogether.
I don't know. A brass brush was no problem, but the ultrasonic cleaner killed it all. 🤷🏼♀️
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!