I can make metal stamped jewelry

Tag: DIY jewelry

16 Stunning Wire Heart Jewelry Projects

Certain jewelry making techniques become iconic with the passage of time. There’s something enticingly tough and tender about wire heart jewelry, and these DIY projects all offer a slightly different take on the idea. From rings to bracelets to pendants, there’s a little bit of everything here. We love seeing the endless ways designs can be interpreted with just a few small changes and a fresh pair of eyes. It’s hard to say who first bent a length of wire into a heart shape and made it into jewelry, but it’s clear that this idea is one people continue to love.

(From Right to Left, Top to Bottom)

Wire Heart Midi Ring from A Few Good Things

Anatomical Wire Heart Earrings from I Can Make Metal Stamped Jewelry

Follow Your Heart Necklace from Happy Hour Projects

Wire Heart Pendant from Heather Powers for Art Bead Scene

Hearts on Wire from Margot Potter for Beadalon

DIY Hammered Heart Hoops from Crafty Chica

I Heart Hearts from Studio Dax

Dainty Blue Heart Shaped Pendant Necklace with Wire and Beads from Creatsie

Heart Hoop Earrings from Making My Stead

Jewelry Wire Heart Chain DIY from Dream a Little Bigger

DIY Wire Wrapped Heart Ring from Muhaiminah Faiz

Heart Ring DIY from My White Idea

DIY Wire Heart Necklace from Happy Hour Projects

Soldered Heart Wire Necklace from Crafty Chica

Queen of Hearts from Margot Potter for The Impatient Crafter

DIY Hammered Heart Necklace from Happy Go Lucky

There you have it, a fabulous round up of 16 Stunning Wire Heart Jewelry Projects just in time for Valentine’s Day. Nothing says I love you quite like a handcrafted gift with heart. Do you have a unique take on making wire heart jewelry? Will you be making any of these wire heart jewelry projects? Let us know in the comments!

Happy Stamping,
Margot and Avalon

May 12, 2022
Fabulous Photo Pendant DIY

Today we’re sharing a Fabulous Photo Pendant DIY! The thing we love most about hand stamped jewelry is that it’s so easy to customize and to share your story with others. Nothing says, “I love you” quite like a hand made gift, especially when you include a personalized photo and a sweet sentiment they can wear. You’ll need to use photo editing software to size your image to fit in the tiny frame. We love PicMonkey, because it makes it so easy to edit photos even for the novice photo editor, you can even add the heart accent there instead of cutting and gluing. We love adding a little dimension with a hand cut heart and Aleene’s new Tacky Glue bottles make it quick and easy to assemble your mini-collage. Oh and have we mentioned how much we love this tiny camera stamp from ImpressArt? See below for some tips on success with using design stamps.

Just print, cut, glue, stamp, connect and you’ve got a gift for your BFF or your sweetheart in under 30 minutes. Now that is fabulous! (NOTE: Our posts contain affiliate links. This is how we are able to provide these “free” tutorials. When you click on a link and buy something, we get a small percentage of the sale.)

What you need:

Image sized to fit frame
Tiny red paper heart
Tiny photo frame pendant
ImpressArt Soft Strike pewter star pendant
6mm Jump Ring, Silver Plate
10mm Jump Ring, Silver Plate
Ball chain necklace
Aleene’s Always Ready Quick Dry “Tacky” Glue-4Oz
Folk Art Enamel Acrylic Paint in Licorice
ImpressArt- 6mm, Camera Metal Stamp
1/16″ Letter and Number Set Metal Stamps
ImpressArt 1/2 lb. Brass Stamping Hammer-
ImpressArt 2 by 2-Inch Steel Block, Small
Eurotool EuroPunch Pliers
Cotton swab
Paper towel

Quick tips for success stamping design stamps: We usually recommend that you only strike your blank one time, this helps prevent skipping or ghost impressions. When using design stamps, you can strike the stamp more than once BUT it is very important that you do not lift or shift the stamp. First make sure that all of the surface area of the image on your stamp is in direct contact with the blank. Hit once hard dead center. Rock the stamp gently to the upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right hitting it each time with your hammer at an angle, but keeping the stamp in the same position on the blank. This takes practice, so grab some sheet metal or a blank you’ve already messed up to get a feel for the motion.

Step one: Stamp the camera stamp in the center of the star blank. Use the rocking technique to make sure you get a crisp impression. Step two: Stamp the word “smile” under the camera. Start in the center with the letter “I” and stamp left and right so the word is centered. (Note: We used the round end of our hammer to add texture to the surface of the blank. Gently hit the blank with the hammer repeatedly to recreate this look.) Step three: Use cotton swab to apply enamel paint to stamped areas of your blank, allow to sit for 30 seconds and wipe off excess with paper towel. Cut your photo to fit the frame. Fold and cut red paper to make heart. Step four: Glue heart to image using a thin layer of Tacky Glue applied with your finger tip.

Step five: Insert your dried collage into the frame. You can add a thin layer of glue to the back to secure it, but do this carefully to avoid smearing glue on front of glass. Step six: Mark and pierce a hole in the center bottom of the star. Step seven: Connect the pendants with a 6mm jump ring. Step eight: Connect a 10mm jump ring to the top of the star and slide your ball chain through.

Smile, gorgeous!

You made your own fabulous photo pendant DIY! Go, you!

Cheers,
Margot and Avalon

*DIY Project Policy: Our tutorials are meant for your creative inspiration. Feel free to make and gift or wear these designs. Please make sure that you give credit to us as the designer if you make and share these designs on your blog or social sites. Please do not make and sell copies of our designs or sell them as kits. Please do not teach these designs as classes for profit. This is how we make our living and we ask that you respect our creativity and the time it takes to design, photograph and write these free tutorials. You may use a single photograph from each project online in blog round-ups or blog posts ONLY if you include a direct link back to our tutorial. Any use of these designs for retail sale for profit online in places like Etsy or eBay or in retail bricks and mortar, flea markets or outdoor fairs is not permitted. Thank you!

February 28, 2022
She Shines DIY Hand Stamped Earrings

She sparkles, she dazzles, she glimmers, she shines. She’s a multi-faceted wonder. Some people are just a little sparklier than the rest. Stamp up some lovely earrings to celebrate her. Or perhaps she is you? Either way, we’ve got you covered with a fun, fast and fabulous pair of She Shines DIY Hand Stamped Earrings featuring the adorable new Lollipop Font from ImpressArt.

You will need:

2 ImpressArt Pewter Stamping Blanks Square
2 ImpressArt, 6 Petal Flower Aluminum Stamping Blanks
2 Beadalon Dapped and Spring Ear Wire
2 Beadalon 6mm Jump Rings
ImpressArt Lollipop Font
ImpressArt Brass Stamping Hammer
ImpressArt Steel Stamping Block Small
2 Pairs ImpressArt Chain Nose Pliers
Folk Art Enamel Acrylic Paint in Licorice
Cotton Swab
Paper Towel

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Step one: Gather your supplies. Step two: Stamp a pattern of stars on your flower blanks using the bonus star stamp from the Lollipop font set. Step three: Stamp “SHE” and “SHINES” on the bottom edge of your square blanks. Use the enamel paint on a cotton swab to ink the stamped areas on all blanks. Let set for 30 seconds and wipe off with a paper towel. Step four: Use chain nose pliers and jump rings to connect the ear wires and blanks.

Shine on in your new DIY Hand Stamped Earrings, super star!

Cheers,
Margot and Avalon

*DIY Project Policy: Our tutorials are meant for your creative inspiration. Feel free to make and gift or wear these designs. Please make sure that you give credit to us as the designer if you make and share these designs on your blog or social sites. Please do not make and sell copies of our designs or sell them as kits. Please do not teach these designs as classes for profit. This is how we make our living and we ask that you respect our creativity and the time it takes to design, photograph and write these free tutorials. You may use a single photograph from each project online in blog round-ups or blog posts ONLY if you include a direct link back to our tutorial. Any use of these designs for retail sale for profit online in places like Etsy or eBay or in retail bricks and mortar, flea markets or outdoor fairs is not permitted. Thank you!

January 17, 2022
DIY Galaxy Pendant

Galaxy crafts are everywhere lately so we decided to design a metal stamped version of the concept. This DIY Galaxy Pendant is perfect for summertime with a peasant blouse or a maxi dress. Add a floral headband and a wrist full of stamped and stacked bracelets and you’ll look like you stepped out of Coachella. Plus, you can say you made it yourself, how cool is that? Oh, and if that’s not enough to tickle your fancy, you can make this necklace in about 15 minutes too. Sweet!

*You will need:

ImpressArt Pewter Stamping Blank Square
Czech Crystal Snap Rivet, Teal
Folk Art Enamel Acrylic Paint, Licorice
10-MM Jump Ring, Silver Plated
Gun Metal Plated Chain Necklace With Clasp
ImpressArt Star , Moon, Shooting Star and Sun Stamps
Wood Handle Scratch Awl
Ergo-Angle Metal Stamping Hammer
ImpressArt 2 by 2-Inch Steel Block
ImpressArt Crystal Rivet Setting Kit
ImpressArt 2-Hole Punch, Large
2 pairs ImpressArt Chain Nose Pliers
ImpressArt Stamp Straight Tape
Cotton Swab
Paper Towel

Step one: Stamp the middle, top right and left and bottom left corners of your blank with the sun, moon, star and shooting star from ImpressArt’s Space and Beyond pack. Leave the right bottom corner blank. Step two: Use an awl to stamp tiny stars across the open areas of the blank.

Step three: Use a cotton swab to swipe enamel paint across the surface of your blank, digging it into the recessed areas. Wipe off excess with a paper towel or soft cloth. Step four: Use the smaller (5/8″) side of the ImpressArt large 2-hole punch to pierce a hole in the right bottom corner of the blank.

Step six: Use ImpressArt’s rivet setting tool, mat and the brass hammer to set the rivet into the pierced corner of the blank. Thread the crystal side into the front and the snap side over the back. Turn pendant over and place tool over back of snap. Strike top of tool with hammer. Don’t overdo this, you don’t want to chip or crack your crystal. Make sure it’s secured, you may have to it it a few times. Step seven: Use chain nose pliers to secure a large jump ring to the pendant and thread it on a chain.

There you have it folks, a super simple DIY Galaxy Pendant. Not into the cosmic theme? No worries! You can take this idea in so many directions using ImpressArt Design Stamps. Try Zodiac Stamps, Holiday Stamps or Floral Stamps! Whatever you do, metal stamping lets you tell your story with style.

Cheers,
Margot and Avalon

(Post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we get a small percentage of the sale.)

*DIY Project Policy: Our tutorials are meant for your creative inspiration. Feel free to make and gift or wear these designs. Please make sure that you give credit to us as the designer if you make and share these designs on your blog or social sites. Please do not make and sell copies of our designs or sell them as kits. Please do not teach these designs as classes for profit. This is how we make our living and we ask that you respect our creativity and the time it takes to design, photograph and write these free tutorials. You may use a single photograph from each project online in blog round-ups or blog posts ONLY if you include a direct link back to our tutorial. Any use of these designs for retail sale for profit online in places like Etsy or eBay or in retail bricks and mortar, flea markets or outdoor fairs is not permitted. Thank you!

September 4, 2021
Artist Spotlight: Lisa Pace

We’re thrilled to shine a big, bright spotlight on the multi-talented mixed media artist Lisa Pace. A best selling author, Lisa has a popular website where she shares tutorials and design inspiration. She has her own line of gorgeous rubber stamps and an array of wonderful vintage inspired kits, supplies and e-classes. You can find her stunning metal stamped designs in her Etsy Shop. We asked Lisa our Five Easy Questions and here are her answers.

1. When did you start making jewelry and why? I have been metal stamping off and on for several years but just recently started making jewelry. I have a true love for unique items especially bracelets. So I decided to give jewelry making a try. I really enjoy making cuffs and charm bracelets that incorporate my love of vintage treasures with a little modern twist. My latest book Delight In The Art of Collage has several metal stamped items that accent projects as well as a simple step by step tutorial on basic metal stamping.

2. What is your favorite source for jewelry making inspiration? I find inspiration for jewelry making from all over. I find unique color combinations and designs from of all things, junk mail and of course magazines but I find that Mother Nature is one of my favorite sources. Nature is filled with all kinds of amazing colors, designs and textures.

3. What advice do you have for folks just starting out? The best thing you can do for yourself when starting to create jewelry is to spend that little extra money on quality tools. In the long run these tools will save you money and hours of frustration. My favorite stamping go to keep handy tools are a Brass Stamping Hammer, Large Jeweler’s Solid Steel Bench Block , ImpressArt 2-Hole Punch and of course Stamp Straight Tape. With these tools you are set to create beautiful metal stamped jewelry.

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4. What tips or tricks can you share for successful metal stamping? My best tip for metal stamping is to use Stamp Straight Tape. This tape is a life saver and a blanks saver. Promise! Not only does Stamp Straight Tape help you accurately stamp onto metal but it doesn’t leave a sticky mess on your steel block.

5. Where can our readers find you? Readers can find me online via my website/blog, Etsy and Social Media.

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Please visit Lisa Pace, like and follow her pages and show her a little love! Stay tuned for more featured artists. Thanks for taking time to visit our little corner of the Blogiverse.

Happy stamping,
Margot and Avalon

March 23, 2021
DIY Runs with Scissors Bracelet

We had so much fun making this Runs with Scissors Bracelet with Mark Montano’s stunning new rubber stamps line for Craffiti Direct. Mark is one of our favorite people on the planet and he’s an amazing designer. Mark and Craffiti Direct *sent us two sets of vintage scissor stamps and we immediately knew what we wanted to do with them. The graphics are so rich and detailed that they looked fabulous on the tobacco brown leather wrist band. Plus clear stamps are so much easier to use because you can see where you’re placing the images before you stamp. This is a uni-sex idea, you can change up the text to reflect the person for whom you’re making this. We wanted a rustic, funky vibe, so this is not perfectly stamped. Feel free to stamp more perfectly if that’s your thang. It’s your thang, do whatcha wanna do.

Just a few caveats before we get started: You need to be sure to use a permanent ink like Ranger Archival or Staz-On. Make sure you that you file or sand the edges of your metal thoroughly if you cut it yourself. These shears are designed for use with 20 gauge or thinner sheet metal. They won’t work on thicker metal. Be very careful if you decide to use them as they’re sharp enough to cut through metal so they’re definitely sharp enough to do some damage to you. Being craftastrophe prone, I take my time when working with tools like these. We also provided links below to metal parts that are pre-cut so you can get right to stamping!

Level: Intermediate

Skills: rubber stamping, metal stamping, meta

You will need:

leather wristband with snaps(to make it deeper brown use leather dye)
24 Gauge Copper Sheet OR Copper Tag with Holes
Vintage Scissors Stamps
Waxed Linen Cord Black
Ranger Archival Ink Black
Folk Art Enamel Acrylic Paint, Licorice
Impressart 3mm Lowercase Economy Metal Stamp Set
ImpressArt Metal Shears
ImpressArt Nylon Jaw Bracelet Bending Plier
ImpressArt 2-Hole Punch
Leather Hole Punch or Crop-A-Dile
ImpressArt Metal Stamping Hammer
Chasing Hammer
ImpressArt Steel Stamping Block
Impress Art Stamp Straight Tape
Black marker
Ruler
Cotton swab
Paper towel

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Amazon.com Widgets

Step one: If you are cutting your own piece from sheet metal or a strip, measure and mark a 1″x2 1/4″ piece. Step two: Cut carefully using the metal shears. IMPORTANT: USE A METAL FILE OR HEAVY GRIT SAND PAPER TO SAND EDGES! Step three: Mark and punch holes in all four corners with 2-hole punch. Step four: Hammer around the edges with the ball end of your chasing hammer.

Step five: Use the holes in your cut metal piece to mark the placement of the first set of holes in your leather. Punch 1/16″ holes using an awl, leather punch or Crop-a-dile. Step six: Use permanent ink and small scissors stamps to stamp handles and blades of scissors on your leather as shown. Step seven: You are stamping three lines into the blank using 16mm stamps. I started with the top and shortest line, counting the number of letters and spaces to find the center. Then I work out from there. This first line has a space in the center. The next two lines have A LOT of letters, so I started at the far left and worked my way over. You will need two pieces of tape to secure the blank. The lines are: bleeds glitter, runs with scissors, sleeps with glue gun… I used punctuation stamps to add commas and the ellipses. Step eight: Swipe across letters with black enamel paint on a cotton swab. Let the paint sit for 30-60 seconds. Wipe off excess with a paper towel.

Step nine: Use the bracelet bending pliers to create a slight arc in your stamped metal tag. Step ten: Mark the placement of your second set of holes so that you can lace the tag to the front of the bracelet. Use a leather punch, awl or Crop-a-dile to punch 1/16″ holes. Step eleven: Lace tag to front of bracelet with waxed linen as shown. Thread linen cord ends through the top of the bracelet. One goes into the tag hole and leather and the other through the leather. Then cross the threads underneath and thread each one through the hole on the opposite side. Don’t tighten then down. Do this for all four sides. Step twelve: Knot each one securely. Cut off ends leaving a little bit of excess as in photo.

Phew! You did it!

We hope you love this DIY Runs with Scissors Bracelet as much as we do. Check out Mark’s YouTube Channel, he dishes up TWO divine DIY videos every week. Tell ’em Madge sent ya.

Happy Stamping,
Margot and Avalon

*DIY Project Policy: Our tutorials are meant for your creative inspiration. Feel free to make and gift or wear these designs. Please make sure that you give credit to us as the designer if you make and share these designs on your blog or social sites. Please do not make and sell copies of our designs or sell them as kits. Please do not teach these designs as classes for profit. This is how we make our living and we ask that you respect our creativity and the time it takes to design, photograph and write these free tutorials. You may use a single photograph from each project online if you include a direct link back to our tutorial. Any use of these designs for retail sale for profit online in places like Etsy or eBay or in retail bricks and mortar, flea markets or outdoor fairs is not permitted. Thank you!

(Disclosure: Blogger was provided product for post, all opinions 100% her own. Post contains affiliate links, if you click on a link and make a purchase, we get a small percentage of the sale.)

*DIY Project Policy: Our tutorials are meant for your creative inspiration. Feel free to make and gift or wear these designs. Please make sure that you give credit to us as the designer if you make and share these designs on your blog or social sites. Please do not make and sell copies of our designs or sell them as kits. Please do not teach these designs as classes for profit. This is how we make our living and we ask that you respect our creativity and the time it takes to design, photograph and write these free tutorials. You may use a single photograph from each project online in blog round-ups or blog posts ONLY if you include a direct link back to our tutorial. Any use of these designs for retail sale for profit online in places like Etsy or eBay or in retail bricks and mortar, flea markets or outdoor fairs is not permitted. Thank you!

November 12, 2020
12 Terrific Metal Stamped Projects

It’s time for another round up of DIY Metal Stamped Projects for your creative inspiration! These mixed media ideas are big on kitsch and full of fun. After all, anyone can figure out how to stamp a word or a letter on a blank, why not take your metal stamped jewelry to another level? Add beads, tassels, charms, vials, rivets and decoupage! Get the scoop on these DIY delights below.

Feel flirty and fabulous in our DIY Metal Stamped Beaded Tassel Bracelets!

More color? More fun! Our DIY Eye Candy necklace features blanks textured with metal stamps and emblazoned with vibrant colors.

Who says candy can’t be jewelry? We surely don’t! Carry an emergency stash in this playful DIY Candy Stash Necklace. Delish!

Commemorate your vacation with our metal stamped DIY Longitude/Latitude necklace.

Make some #awesome Metal Stamped Hashtag Pins and showcase your social media savvy!

Feel lucky in our DIY Lucky Girl Hand Stamped Horseshoe Necklace!

Got ten minutes? Stamp up some DIY Bottle Cap Necklaces!

Are you so crafty it hurts? Make our Runs With Scissors Bracelet!

Show the love for the place you call home with our DIY Metal Stamped Atlas Pendants.

Feel like a super hero in our DIY Wonder Woman Inspired Cuffs.

Scare up some fun with our DIY Eyeball Necklace.

And last but surely not least, celebrate Halloween in style with our Boo-tiful DIY Bracelets.

12 Terrific Metal Stamped Projects, folks. Happy Stamping! Oh, and if you want to know what you need to get started, we have a post for that.

Cheers,
Margot

November 2, 2020
Shine DIY Metal Stamped Layered Necklace

This Shine DIY Metal Stamped Layered Necklace is simple, striking, and layered with a lot of shine and sparkle. If you’re making this, you’ll be hammering, stamping, dapping and creating a coiled dangle, lots to learn and love! When you finish, you’ve got a little bauble that reminds you to shine your little light in the darkness. How cool is that?

You will need:

Folk Art Enamel Acrylic Paint, Licorice
ImpressArt, 8 Petal Flower, Copper, 15/16″ Stamping Blank
ImpressArt, 6 Petal Flower, Nickel Silver, 1″ Stamping Blank
Preciosa Czech Fire 8mm Polished Glass Bead, Faceted Round, Full Coating Silver, 75-Pack
Beadalon 10-MM Jump Ring, Nickel Free Silver Plate
Head Pins Ball Ends Ball Tips
Head Pins Ball Ends Ball Tips
Jewelry Ball Chain Necklaces with Lobster Clasp, 18-Inch, Bright Silver
ImpressArt Uppercase Alphabet Stamps ‘Newsprint’ 1/8 Inch (3mm) – 1 Set
ImpressArt 1 Pound Metal Stamping Hammer
ImpressArt 2 by 2-Inch Steel Block
Metal 2 Hole Punch
ImpressArt Stamp Straight Tape
ImpressArt Chasing Hammer
Round Nose Pliers
Bent Chain Nose Pliers
Flush Cutters
Dapping Block Set
Cotton swab
Paper towel

Step one: Use the round end of your chasing hammer to strike the blanks repeatedly creating hammered texture. Step two: Stamp S H I N E on your larger blank, one letter per petal. This leaves one petal unstamped. Step three: Use two-hole punch to pierce a hole in the unstamped petal of your flower. Add a hole to one petal of the copper flower. To darken the letters, use black enamel paint. Use a cotton swab to wipe the paint into the letters. Wipe off excess with a paper towel. Step four: Place copper flower in dapping block and use corresponding punch and your brass hammer to curve the shape as in photo. Hammer flat end of punch while moving round end in form on each hit to get a rounded shape.

Step five: Make the coiled dangle. Insert head pin into bead. Grasp wire at top of bead with round nose pliers. Bend wire to a 90 degree angle. Step six: Move pliers 1/2 turn. Grasp wire and bend over top of pliers forming loop. Grasp wire tail with chain nose pliers and wrap tightly from bottom of loop to top of bead. Step seven: Nip off wire tail with wire cutters. Tuck remaining tail into bottom of coil with chain nose pliers. Step eight: Use chain and bent nose pliers to open jump ring. Thread large pendant, small pendant and bead on jump ring in that order. Close jump ring securely with tension.

You’ll love the movement of this necklace when you wear it. The hammered metal and faceted bead give it lots of sparkle!

That’s how you make our Shine DIY Metal Stamped Layered Necklace. Fun, fast and fabulous. You can change the words, fonts, colors of metals and beads to make this uniquely your own. That’s the fun of metal stamping, you get to share your story. What story are you going to share?

Happy stamping,
Margot and Avalon

*DIY Project Policy: Our tutorials are meant for your creative inspiration. Feel free to make and gift or wear these designs. Please make sure that you give credit to us as the designer if you make and share these designs on your blog or social sites. Please do not make and sell copies of our designs or sell them as kits. Please do not teach these designs as classes for profit. This is how we make our living and we ask that you respect our creativity and the time it takes to design, photograph and write these free tutorials. You may use a single photograph from each project online if you include a direct link back to our tutorial. Any use of these designs for retail sale for profit online in places like Etsy or eBay or in retail bricks and mortar, flea markets or outdoor fairs is not permitted. Thank you!

July 6, 2020
Artist Spotlight: Karen Roark

We’re shining the spotlight on another talented metal stamping artist, the delightful Karen Roark of I Always Pick the Thimble! Karen throws down a dazzling array of delicious DIY from kitting to home decor to jewelry making on her blog. She’s a former Interior Architect who switched gears to open the retail store Urban Arts and Crafts in Kansas City, Missouri. Her metal stamped designs are sensational and she dishes up some terrific tips for metal stamping success in her posts. Please stop by her blog and social sites and show her a little love. Karen was kind enough to answer our Five Easy Questions, here are her insightful answers!

(Get the tutorial for Karen’s stunning DIY Believe and Let Go bracelet!)

Five Easy Questions

When did you start making jewelry and why?

I’ve been making jewelry for close to 10 years and metal stamping for about 4. It all began when I started seeing jewelry in clothing catalogs that I thought I could make for less – and I could! Metal stamping became an extension of my jewelry making because it’s so easy to personalize and incorporate into all types of jewelry pieces.

What is your favorite source for jewelry making inspiration?

I look through Sundance catalog for inspiration. I like working with metal, leather and natural stones and many of their pieces feature those materials.

What advice do you have for folks just starting out?

A good set of ergonomic jewelry making tools can make a world of difference! They can be a little pricey, but your hands will thank you. If you work with wire or headpins, your wire-wrapping techniques will improve as well.

What tips or tricks can you share for successful metal stamping?

Well, first of all, it’s probably not going to be perfect, and that’s o.k.. Don’t sweat it. You don’t want it to look machine made anyway, right? That being said, I always write out what I want to stamp on paper before I start. It helps prevent misspelling “typo’s’” or I guess in this case “stampo’s”! Before stamping, I draw light pencil lines and spacing marks on the metal pendants to help with alignment. Also, don’t be afraid to use the front and back of your “oops” pendants for practice. I will help increase your confidence before starting. The rest just takes a little practice.

Where can our readers find you?

I Always Pick the Thimble

Pinterest

Google+

Twitter

Urban Arts + Crafts Facebook

Big love to Karen Roark for stopping by and sharing some great advice! Check back Friday for some tips and techniques with a super simple DIY! We’re working on all kinds of good stuff behind the scenes, so stay tuned.

Happy Stamping,
Margot and Avalon

May 23, 2020
Wire Heart Earrings

This week, we’re having more fun with wire making a pretty pair of Anatomical Wire Heart Earrings using 20 and 24 gauge Beadalon German Style Wire. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and these will look beautiful under candlelight or anytime you want to shine. We love working with this wire because it’s not dead soft like aluminum and copper, so it holds a shape more readily and work hardens very easily. Plus you can’t beat the high shine of the silver plating on this wire.

I’ve been having a creative dialog with my friend Kathy Cano Murillo, check out her stunning soldered hammered heart necklace that inspired me to make these earrings!

Watch the video and then grab the materials and step by step instructions below!

Materials (These are affiliate links, if you click on a link and make a purchase we get a small percentage of the sale.)
2 4″ lengths Beadalon German Style Wire, Round, Silver Plated, 20 gauge
2 5″ lengths German Style Wire, Round, Silver Plated, 24 gauge
6 Czech Fire-Polished Faceted Glass Beads Round 3mm Silver Metallic
Beadalon Steel Bench Block
1″ diameter dowel
Beadalon Nylon Jaw Pliers
Beadalon Chain Nose Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, Flush Cutter, Flat Nose Pliers (You can find them all in this Beadalon 5-Piece Tool Kit
Ruler

Wire Heart Earrings Instructions

1. Cut two 4″ lengths of 20 gauge wire. Be sure to cut to the flush or flat end of the flush cutters. Go back and cut both ends, you may have to nip off the pointy side on one end to make both ends flush.
2. Measure to the 1.5″ mark and use flat nose pliers to make a sharp angled bend in the wire.
3. Form the shorter wire end around your dowel to make an arc. Repeat with the opposite end.
4. Grasp the longer end of your wire with the end of your round nose pliers. Turn a small loop working in the direction of the arc.
5. Use the dowel and your fingers to bend the end into the heart shape, see photo above.
6. Use the flat end of your chasing hammer to flatten the wire hearts. You need to make a left and a right earring, so hammer on the opposite side of each heart shape. Work only on the longer side of the wire and at the top of the wire that will slide into your ear.
7. Use the round end of your chasing hammer to add some texture.
8. Cut a 5″ length of 24 gauge wire. Wrap tightly around the outer upper edge of the heart shape three times.
9. Slide a bead on the wire, wrap once. Repeat two more times for a total of three beads.
10. Use flat nose pliers to tighten up the top and bottom wraps.
11. Cut off excess wires at top and bottom.
12. Use chain nose pliers to tuck wires under.
13. Repeat for second earring. Make a left and a right earring, wrapping the beads to the front of each hammered heart, so they will be facing forward in the ear when worn. See photo!
14. BONUS TIP! Insert wire ends into a Bur Cup Wire Rounder tool to round them and make them less sharp. This makes it easier to slide them into your piercings.

That’s it, you made your own pair of Anatomical Wire Heart Earrings! Fun, fast, and fabulous! And you can say you made it yourself. If you enjoy our videos and tutorials, we’d LOVE it if you subscribe to our YouTube Channel

and come back soon!

Cheers,
Margot and Avalon

February 18, 2020