Metal stamping is a crafty way to express your jewelry making creativity. With inexpensive stamps you can add names, dates or whatever message you decide to pass along. You can add stamped metal charms tobracelets or necklaces or use them alone as earrings. How ever you decide to use them, your stamped metal pieces will help you make a personalized handcrafted statement.
Tools
-Metal stamps- You can buy alpha-numeric stamps from jewelry tool suppliers or online catalogs; but Harbor Freight, a tool discounter withshowrooms in many cities and an online catalog, has a simple, inexpensive set of metal stamps for 4.99 plus shipping.
-Hammer
-Anvil or Metal Block
-Manual hole punch or drill
-Fine line felt tip marker
-Sandpaper - 600 grit or finer (or use cushioned emery files like you find in beauty supply stores)
-Protective glasses - When stamping metal or performing any metal to metal activity, there's always a chance of a mishap. Protect your eyes with an inexpensive pair of safety glasses available at hardware stores.
Materials
-Metal blanks - These are exactly as the name suggests. They are simple blank metal pieces with room for stamping on words or textures. Some metal blanks come with one hole that makes them convenient for earrings, charms or necklaces. Others have two holes to create bracelets. Some come in decorative shapes.
You have a couple of options for metal blanks:
--Cut metal blanks yourself. If you know how to use a jeweler's saw or metal shears, create your own custom metal blanks in whatever size or shape you choose.
Order copper, brass, sterling silver or gold filled sheet from a company like Rio Grande or Indian Jewelry Supplies. A resourceful crafter may also find usable pieces of copper or brass at a local scrap yard. If you make blanks yourself, you'll need a manual hole punch or drill to add holes.