If you’re still looking for the perfect DIY holiday gifts, it doesn’t get easier or prettier than these last minute metal stamped earrings. Using design stamps is a lovely way to make a personalized gift. These are easy for the novice stamper if they use softer metal blanks like aluminum or pewter. The trick with design stamps is keeping the stamp in full contact with the blank and then rocking and hitting it from multiple angles. It does take a little practice, so get some sheet metal and perfect your technique. Use gift tags to display the earrings for a perfect presentation.
You will need (These are affiliate links, if you click on a link and buy something we get a small percentage of the sale, that’s how we can afford to share these free tutorials!)
2 ImpressArt, Circle, 1/2″, Aluminum Stamping Blanks
ImpressArt Design Stamps (We used Bumble Bee and Horse Shoe)
2 6-MM Jump Ring, Silver Plate
2 Beadalon Ball Earwires Silver Plated
2 Christmas Gift Tags
Ergo-Angle Metal Stamping Hammer
ImpressArt 4 by 4-Inch Steel Block
ImpressArt Hole Punch Pliers
2 Pairs ImpressArt Chain Nose Pliers
ImpressArt Stamp Enamel or Folk Art Enamel Acrylic Paint, Licorice
Dapping Block Set
Paper Towel
(Click on graphic to see more detail)
Step One: Tape blank to bench block.
Step Two: Hold stamp firmly centering and hitting dead center once. DO NOT LIFT STAMP. Rock stamp to top left, hit, top right, hit, bottom left, hit, bottom right, hit and dead center and hit one last time. As long as you don’t lift the stamp, this will help you get a full impression.
Step Three: Repeat for second blank.
Step Four: Use hole punch pliers to pierce a hole in the top center of each blank.
Step Five: Place blanks in dapping block, place dapping tool over blank. Hit top of dapping tool with hammer, moving tool around as you hit to form a concave shape. Repeat for second blank.
Step Six: Apply enamel, let sit for 10 seconds, wipe excess with paper towel.
Step Seven: You need to use jump rings with these blanks so they’ll sway when you wear the earrings. Gently grasp and turn the earring wire loops as shown so the earrings will hang straight when worn. Connect earrings with jump rings to earring wires with chain nose pliers. Make sure the rings are closed with tension!
Step eight: Pierce the gift tag with a straight pin and insert the earrings.
We used Organza Drawstring Gift Bags to wrap these. Simply fabulous. You can make these last minute metal stamped earrings in just a few minutes, so stamp up some for every gal on your gift list! If you make some, tag them on social media with #handstampedholidays! We love to see your creations.
Cheers,
Margot and Avalon