Thanks to ImpressArt for sponsoring today’s tutorial and giveaway!
Friends, you know that although I love making all different types of craft projects, there’s a special place in my heart for jewelry making. Maybe it’s because I love fashion and actually wearing jewelry so much that the making of it is just extra-fun. Whatever the reason, as soon as my good friend Jess {who was my travel buddy in NYC} taught me the basics of beading two years ago, I was instantly hooked. So, for her birthday, I thought it was only fitting to make her a special piece since she started this whole obsession in the first place! This week for Fashion Friday, I decided to show you how I made it!
The necklace I made is a combination of beading and metal stamping, and for today’s post, I wanted to give you a basic tutorial for how to get started with stamping if you’ve never tried it before. It’s one of my favorite techniques because you can completely personalize a necklace, bracelet, keychain, or whatever else you have in mind by adding names, dates, phrases, images, or pretty much anything you want.
First, let’s talk about what you need. My materials were provided by ImpressArt, and they’re going to give one of you lucky duckies the same things they sent me, so keep on reading!
You’ll need:
– a steel stamping block
– a hammer
– metal stamps {an alphabet set is great to start with, then you can also get image stamps to add to your collection}
– stamping blanks
– tape
The first step is to place your steel stamping block on a solid surface. You can use a non carpeted floor, a countertop, or a very solid table. The rubber feet on the bottom of the block will protect the surface underneath from any damage caused by the force you’re using as you stamp.
Once you’ve picked a good spot, select your stamping blank and tape it to your block. This will prevent the blank from moving while you’re trying to stamp. For this necklace, I chose a long, thin rectangular blank, but they’re also available in circles, squares, hearts, and other shapes. My new absolute-favorite kind of blank to use is ImpressArt’s Soft Strike line. This one is made of pewter, and it’s amazing how easy it is to get a clear, deep impression with just one tap of the hammer. They’re the easiest blanks to stamp on that I’ve ever tried {and believe me, I’ve tried a LOT of different shapes, brands, and materials}. These are going to be my go-to blanks from now on because of the quality and how easy they are to use.
Next, you need to decide what word{s} you want to use and pull the necessary alphabet stamps out. I like to arrange mine in the order I’m going to use them. One thing I really like about these stamps is that you can see on the side of them what letter each stamp is, which is much easier than trying to figure it out by looking at the tiny backwards image on the top. I chose to write “Be Still,” as in, He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10, which I hope will serve as a reminder for Jess just to trust when she’s tempted to worry.
Now for the fun part! You’ll grip the stamp in your non-dominant hand with the letter and brand name facing you {a good way to instantly know you’ve got your letter right side up}. Then, you use the hammer in your dominant hand to give one firm tap with a good bit of force. If it’s your first time stamping, you may want to practice on a less expensive aluminum blank first just to play around and get a feel for how hard you need to hit to get the kind of impression you want.
It’s always a good idea to count out how many letters and spaces you’re going to use, then begin with the center letter and work outward to each side. That ensures that your phrase will be where you want it. Also, if you have a larger blank, it’s great to use a piece of tape as a straight edge for lining up your stamps so that they’re all even. Unfortunately, that didn’t work with this particular size of blank, so a few of my letters aren’t perfectly aligned…but the truth is, I always feel like slight imperfections add to the handmade feel of a piece; it reminds people that you created it yourself instead of it being stamped by a machine somewhere. When my words were finished, I added an anchor to the bottom of the blank.
The design stamps are slightly trickier to use because the metal isn’t raised up quite as much as it is on the alphabet stamps, but with the Soft Strike stamping blanks, a few taps with decent force made a nice clear picture. I had WAY more success with this than I’ve had with any design stamps I’ve tried to use in the past. Usually, it’s a disaster when I attempt to add a design, but this worked really well.
To make the piece easy to read from a distance, I like to give it an oxidized look in a really simple way. All I do is use a black permanent marker and color over the whole design, making a special effort to get the ink down in the crevices.
Then, I wipe the surface with a cotton ball lightly dipped in rubbing alcohol. All the excess marker comes right off, but what’s down in the crevices remains! Easy peasy! Here, you can see that while I had my supplies out, I made a little something for myself too…I loooove that little sign language, “I love you” hand; how sweet is that?!
That’s all there is to it, friends! Tape, stamp, color, clean, and you’re done! To jazz up the necklace a little for my bead-loving friend, I put a pretty blue crystal bead {gifted by Wholeport.com} and a pearl on head pins, wire wrapped them, and added them to a jump ring. I put a separate jump ring on the stamped tag, then slid both onto a ball chain. Ta-da!
What do you think? Will she like her birthday gift? And more importantly, would you love to give metal stamping a try? It’s really easier than you think, and I can’t tell you how fabulous it is to be able to whip a personalized gift in no time! Moms, grandmas, friends…everyone loves this stuff! I’ve even made keychains for men. Rings, bracelets, necklaces…the sky’s the limit!
ImpressArt is offering one lucky US reader a kit with everything you needed to get started with this fun new hobby. It will contain:
a selection of Soft Strike pewter blanks, a mini hammer, mini bench block, stamp straight tape and an alphabet stamp set!
Rafflecopter will walk you through the entry process; good luck!
Hugs & Glitter,
Rachel says
Amy, it might just be me, but I can’t get the Rafflecopter to show up. 🙁 I did try reloading and even switched browsers.
Kat says
Awesome! Will you teach me make one with an anchor that says- refuse to sink-?
Joni says
This is something I’ve always wanted to try. Thanks for the tutorial!
Rachel says
Yea! This is such a fun giveaway! I’ve never done metal stamping before and would love to try! I really love the Bridgette set.
Tracy says
I’m torn! I love them all! But while I feel like I should pick Newsprint for its versatility, I think Jeanie is awfully fun. I’m in a fun mood, so Jeanie it is.
Sara says
Oh my gosh! I want them all!!! This is a great post; thanks for sharing!!
Timber says
I am torn between Newsprint and Scarlett’s Signature. I think I would have to go with Scarlett’s Signature though if I was going to get one. They are all so cute though!
Timber says
Just kidding I am loving the Bridgette font! I guess I am indecisive (:
Alecia says
I would love to make some of these. I liked the Scarlets signature alphabet or the Jeanie.
Pepper says
I like the classic Newsprint alphabet, but it I was going to go fancy, I’d choose Bridget.
Mary says
Very cool giveaway!! Would b great to make gifts.
Mary says
Love the shabby chic designs!
Kelsey m says
I love the Bridgette!!!
Mary says
Love the shabby chic designs
Darci says
I have been eyeing the Bridgette uppercase set for a while!
Darci says
I have been eyeing the Bridgette uppercase set for a long time now!
Cassandra says
I really think the Bridgette set is beautiful – just the right amount of swirl to the letters to make a piece just perfect!
Chris says
I love Newsprint especially. So fun. 🙂
Kimberly Leverett Osburn says
I love this. I am ready to go and get a set and get started. Thanks for the chance to win! I like the Scarlett’s Signature set and the Ballroom Boogie. What fun! <3 Kim
dancers4life says
Thanks, Kim! It’s so fun, you will love it!
Carissa Bonham says
I love the Hebrew alphabet set
dancers4life says
Me too!!! I totally didn’t realize it was actually Hebrew letters when I first saw it on their site and now I’m kicking myself for not choosing that one!
Wendy N says
I really like the Bridgette set!
Randi Sowders says
I think I like the newsprint the best but really, how can I pick? I want them all!
PS I have ALWAYS wanted to learn to do this. I mean I am like itching to win this contest like a crazy person!!!!! I HOPE I HOPE I HOPE I HOPE!
Nicole Burkholder says
The Bridgette set is very pretty. What a fun project and inexpensive way to give personal gifts! Entered to win! 🙂
Jodi says
Bridget and Jeanie are my favorites!! They look amazing and would make lots of fn projects. thanks for the giveaway
Brenda B. says
I like them all, but I think I like Bridgette maybe the most! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Sonya Neal says
I love the sets in “Bridgette” and “Scarlett’s Signature”! They are so whimsy and pretty! How fun! Thank you for the chance to win this! I have been wanting to try metal stamping for so long! 🙂
Melanie says
Hmm…maybe Newsprint. I just want to win. That is all 🙂
Alison says
I LOVE these!!!! The Bridgette letter set is my favorite 🙂
April Lopez says
Newsprint is cool.
Janiene says
I love what you imprinted on the necklace. Be still and the anchor – reminds me of Hebrews 6.
I hope I win it!! I would wear it daily.
Janiene
dancers4life says
Thanks so much, Janiene!
Jessica Hill says
Love the classic Newsprint!
Morena says
Newsprint!
Thanks for the fun giveaway. Fingers crossed. 🙂
Nicole says
Oh, I’ve wanted to try this for a while. Fingers crossed!
Lisa says
I like Scartlett’s Signature the best! Thanks for the giveaway!
Antoinette Castillo says
whoa, this looks so easy, yet makes a beautiful gift. I can hardly wait to start stampin out some cool homemade jewelry! Xo
dancers4life says
It IS easy, and totally fabulous!!
Amber says
Newsprint!
Christie M says
I like the Bridgette but the Scarlett’s Signature is to die for.
Kiera says
I’ve always wanted to try metal stamping, it looks like so much fun!
dancers4life says
It really is, Kiera!
Sandra says
Wonderful tutorial! I loke the newspring font – think it would be the most versatile.
Steph @ The Silly Pearl says
I would use Newsprint all the time!
Samantha V. says
I love Scarlett’s Signature….so many possibilities.
tiffani says
I really like Bridgette!
lydiaf says
That looks like a lot of fun! Stopping by from Daily Blog Boost 🙂
Lanie says
I’ve always wanted to try this. I love the necklace you made. Thanks for the great giveaway!
dancers4life says
Thanks, Lanie!
nicole says
the varsity and hebrew letter stamp sets are my favorite 🙂
dancers4life says
I want the Hebrew ones too!!
Carla says
I see so many cute pieces that I would like to try!!
Cindy B says
I love both Bridgette and Scarlet’s Signature. I think I’d start with Bridgette!
Thanks for the generous giveaway!
Melissa D says
Scarlett’s Signature for sure!!!
Beth says
The alphabet stamps
Deb K says
Scarlett’s Signature is my choice,how fun it would be to win this!
Lynn says
I think I like Bridgette best but Jeannie looks very fun!
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
It looks like both Bridgette and Scarlet’s Signature are popular, but I like them, too! What a fun way to personalize items.
Angela Mullis says
Loving the Jeannie set!
Angi Mullis [email protected]
Erin M says
This is something I have wanted to try for a while. Thanks for the great tutorial and chance to win!
Julie says
The Bridgette set is my favorite!
Kadie says
Great tut! Love metal stamping! 🙂
Ruth Thornhill says
I’ve been collecting smashed pennies since 1995. My husband “got me into it”! We had visited Monterey, California in 1995 with our son Jason and found a smashed penny machine in an arcade there! I chose one with cute little otters on it! Since then I have added to my collection and have been thinking of making bracelets out of them! Also, my Mother in Law gave us her sliver service/silverware… We have discontinued using it because some pieces were wearing thin… I really dislike that they set in their box… forgotten. I would just jump up and down about winning this giveaway! I can see stamping the silverware, making a bracelet, drawer pulls with “Cups” stamped on it…. This is an awesome giveaway… and one can only hope… XOXO!
dancers4life says
Ooh, neat idea!
Dianna L. says
My favorite is royal crest!
Jill says
I would love to have a lower case alphabet set. I’ve read about metal stamping, but have never tried it.
dancers4life says
It’s SO fun!
Grace Elliston says
I like the Jeanie stamps the best. Thank u for the giveaway 🙂
Meredith @ Wait Til Your Father Gets Home says
I’d love to win this set 🙂
And I love your glittery nail polish!
[email protected] says
Love the necklace you created. The Bridgette set would be my choice if I won.
dancers4life says
Thanks, Paula! Good luck!
Tamra Scott says
This is very cool. I think I have to get a kit to try it out.
dancers4life says
It is so fun, Tamra; you’ll love it!
Paige says
Such a great post!!! I think your friend will love her birthday present!
dancers4life says
Thanks, Paige!! She did!
Tara says
What a great giveaway! I love the Hebrew or Newsprint stamp sets!
Emily @ A Tossed Salad Life says
I got a ton of Impress Art stuff for Christmas, but I would love to get the Canterbury font. It’s so pretty.
kristy says
I can’t believe how easy it is! That’s so cool
Marcie Peterson says
I love the Bridgette! Thanks for the tutorial and great giveaway!
Nancy B says
Ilike the Bridgette
Melissa says
Ohh! I love the royal crest, but for my first set I’d have to get bridgette – could be used for more pieces.
Mary Worley says
The Bridgette set very classic
Laura says
Love Bridget!
Dollie says
I love the Bridgette set. Thank you for this tutorial, I’ve been debating on attempting metal stamping for a while 🙂
Loranne says
My favorite set of alphabet stamps is the Jeanie….so whimsical. Thank you for the giveaway and the tutorial. Anxious to order and try ou the stamping blanks. Always great to find a new, better product.
Elisheba says
Thanks for the tutorial and the giveaway! I would love to win!
Jamie says
Ooh, the possibilities 🙂
Alina Hahn says
I like the Bridgette. This would be great to have to make Christmas gifts for family members. We are always looking for unique things to make.
Kathryn says
I love this, especially the permanent marker finishing touch.
Stephanie says
I really love the Bridgette font, followed by the Scarlett’s Signature. This project looks easy enough for me to do! Thank you for sharing! I’ve bookmarked it for future reference.
dancers4life says
Thanks, Stephanie! It really is easy to do once you have the tools!
Kristen M says
I like the Royal Crest set.
Shannon says
newsprint!
Shanna Gilbert says
I have never tried this before but it would be perfect for making gifts. So cute!
Jessica says
Love the Bridgette font!
Amy Anderson says
I like Varsity or Newsprint – hard to choose!
Lynn D says
I have wanted to try this technique for ages! I’m loving the Ballroom Boogie set. I also love all of the nautical stamps! This could get out of control quickly! lol
dancers4life says
Yes, it can, Lynn! 🙂 Trust me! Once you start, you’ll be totally addicted!
Kristine Foley says
Crushing on Scarlett’s Signature!!
Anna Lewis says
Well too many to say BUT I got ballroom boogie in today and I can’t wait to use them!!!
dancers4life says
Oooh, FUN! Let me know how it goes!
Holly says
I’ve always wanted to try stamping!!!
Lisa M says
What great projects you stamped! I really love the Scarlett’s Signature stamp set. I love that it looks like handwriting! Thanks for the chance to win all this fun stuff!
Christie says
I really like the Geisha set. I love Oriental lettering!
Heather Ferguson says
I Love the bridgette stamps and love your tutorial … awesome!
Thanks!!!!
dancers4life says
You bet!!!
Amanda R. says
This looks so fun and creative. Great to make gifts with too!
Lisa D says
I tried stamping on metal washers last year for Christmas gifts. Epic FAIL! Wish I would have had this tutorial last year 🙂 It would have saved me many hours of frustration. I love the Bridgette font. So pretty.
dancers4life says
Lol…sorry about your craft fail. 😉 Now you should try again!
Mara says
I love the Jeanie font but would love the Royal Crest for monograms!! 🙂
Carrie says
The Jeanne font is next on my list to get!
Carrie says
Oops–typo–Jeanie 🙂
Jeannette says
I love them all, but Jeanie is lovely!
Crystal says
I love the nautical stamps!
dancers4life says
Me too!
Kelly L says
I love Bridgette & Jeanie! They’re both awesome!
Jerry Hall says
Thank you for this give away, this is my new learning project for this year! Can’t wait to get started!!
dancers4life says
Oh, great! You are going to love it! Watch out, it’s addictive! 😉
Deborah K says
I love the Bridgette alphabet set!
mona c says
What a neat new craft to learn. Thanks for sharing. Hope to win.
Laura S says
I love the pretty flourishes they have at Impress arts! My fave alphabet is Bridgette. You have inspired me to try a new hobby! Now to save up the money to start. 🙂
roxy meto says
Happy new year !!
Cayt says
I love the scarlett’s signature alphabet stamps! Looking forward to start some stamping!! Happy New Year!
Darla Bunyan says
Newsprint! Thanks for the chance!!! Awesome giveaway!
lovely jasmin says
so nice I like it and really love to use
Jen says
My favorite ImpressArt letter set is Scarlett’s Signature 🙂
Valeria says
I own the Bridgette set as well. It’s cute!
Jackie D. says
I would love to learn metal crafting!!! And Canterbury is my favorite style of lettering 🙂
Shannon Chomanczuk says
Bridgette is beautiful but i want them all!
Krista says
So hard to choose! Newsprint I think
Alisa says
I love Jeanie! I have to say, I feel like a winner even if I don’t win this because I found your fabulous post on the dresses!!!
dancers4life says
Aw, I love to hear that! So glad you enjoyed seeing the fun at DressFirst!
Carolyn says
Enjoyed this project. Thanks to you and ImpressArt for having this giveaway.
I like the Newsprint type lowercase.
Carolyn
dancers4life says
Of course! Good luck!
Kay says
I’ve been drooling over the Bridgette alphabet stamp for a while. Just need to save my money.
Kerri-Jo Sharp says
I love metal stamping!! Thank you so much for the chance to win!!
Hugs!!
sarah jau says
what a wonderful package makes metal art so easy
Rose says
I love them all..how fun to mix up the fonts!
Dawn says
I love the Ballroom myself and think it fits my aesthetic best. Thanks for this offer and blog. So glad I found you! 🙂
Marilyn says
Metal stamping is something I want to try in 2014!
Debbie says
Amy, I just had to find this post again because I read it away on vacation. I LOVED this project and that psalm is one of my favorites. I just pinned it to keep. I also love your nails in your photos!! So pretty…and how being artsy you keep them so pretty I’ll never know:)
Debbie
Jess says
Guess what? She liked it! And she wears it frequently (the she being me can tell you that 🙂 ). Being still is one of the more difficult things for me to do in this life and yet so important. Thank you, you artsy mama!!
Diana Lopez says
Been hesitant to start but will start today. Thank you for the tutorial.
dancers4life says
My pleasure! You’re gonna love it!
Lorrie says
I’d like to do a stamping project to make the word “abide” as in the Vine, for our next year’s women’s retreat. I don’t have any of the supplies, I’m wondering if you could give me a ballpark figure as to how much you think it might cost me. We have about 300 women come to our retreat, and I’ll be on my own as far as the cost goes. I need to know if it’s feasible for me to do. I’d like to get the heart shaped metal for it, or round, I would probably add a few beads and a cute clasp to make it a key chain. Thanks for your help! I love your jewelry!!!