New Products and Techniques: Stamping and engraving charmsIt's easy to make personalize memory jewelry
by Jane Konkel
Published: December 9, 2011 Each year at Art vs Craft, my inventory includes some sort of jewelry with letters. This year I made a few cha cha-style bracelets by attaching those square wooden letter beads to large-link chain. For the 2012 show, I'd like to include bracelets with a variety of stamped and engraved charms like these from Rings & Things. These stamping blanks come in a variety of metals. The raw brass ones look beautiful and aged when stamped with an initial.
|
There's still time to squeeze in one last project before gift giving time, right? How about stamping a heart blank with the date you met your sweetheart, or a child's birth date? If you don't yet own steel stamps, look for a set with an appealing font. To avoid stamping a letter upside down or sideways, write the letter on each stamp, on the side that will be facing you, so you'll know which way to hold it. You will also need a metal hammer, a bench block, a marker, and if your stamping blanks are not drilled (like the gear blank), then you'll need a hole punch pliers.
|
Consider the stamping space on your blanks. Even small stamps may be too large to fit. An engraving tool may be what you need. This compact micro engraver is from The Bead Smith and includes two round diamond-tip bits and an allen key to change them. It operates on two AAA batteries. I like that I can hold it like a pen with my forefinger over the button to start and stop it.
|
Think about finishing your necklace or bracelet with a fancy clasp like one from our new "Retail therapy" column (p. 98) in the January 2012 issue of Bead Style. These colorful aluminum clasps are from Primitive Earth Beads.
You can add rivets or oxidize your charms to add even more handcrafted appeal. Keep in mind that imperfect spacing and alignment of letters adds to the allure of hand stamped charms, but it never hurts to practice on scrap metal first.
|
|