Best Friends Forever
SKILL LEVEL : Intermediate
Everyone loves to make string friendship bracelets, and when you personalize string bracelets with metal stamped accessories, they will love them even more!
(Optional) Buff rectangle blank to a matte finish using Matte Finish Buffing Blocks. Use medium grit to create a brushed matte textured surface. Hold buffing block in palm of hand and use even, smooth downward strokes to buff surface to a matte finish. Repeat until desired texture is achieved.
Use the 1/16” punch of the Two Hole Screw Down Hole Punch to pierce one hole on either side of the blank. Simply turn the handle of the screw down punch until the punch pierces through the stamping blank. Twist the handle of the screw down punch in the opposite direction to raise the punch and remove blank.
TIP: Make sure not to screw the punch down too much as this will mar the surface of the blank and leave an unwanted impression of the base of the screw.
Position rectangle blank on stamping block. Secure a straight stamp guide on the blank. Use the guide marks to evenly space out letters and align stamp impressions. Place stamp on blank, above the corresponding mark on the stamp guide. Lightly drag stamp towards the guide until the stamp catches the edge of the guide. Hold stamp flat and firmly in place. Then strike stamp once with medium force using Metal Stamping Hammer. Repeat to complete desired word.
TIP: Write desired message directly onto the stamp guide and utilize the guideline marks for spacing.
TIP: Slightly tilt the stamp towards you while dragging the stamp towards the guide. Make sure you hold the stamp flat and firmly in place before striking the stamp.
TIP: Use the Tilt & Tap technique to stamp 6mm and larger stamps, or stamps with more details.
Highlight stamped impressions with Stamp Enamel. Wait 3-5 minutes and then wipe away the excess enamel from the surface of the blanks. Set stamped blank aside.
Create a friendship bracelet out of embroidery thread. Pick your favorite colors and work through your favorite flat surface pattern until it is at your desired length. Set finished bracelet aside.
Buff stamped blank to a brilliant, high-shine finish using High Polish Finish Blocks. Use fine grit to quickly clean and polish blanks. Hold buffing block in the palm of the hand and move the block in even, back and forth strokes to remove dirt and dried enamel left on the raised surfaces. Use extra fine grit for buffing to a high shine. Hold buffing block in the palm of hand and buff in tiny, back and forth strokes with light pressure to get a mirror-like shine.
Lay bracelet on your workspace, so that it is completely flat.. Position stamped blank on the bracelet in the deserted location. Then, using a needle and thread, sew the blank onto the bracelet.
Finally, use Bracelet Bending Pliers to give the blank a subtle curve so it fits nicely on one’s write or ankle. Match the curvature of the pliers to the desired curvature of the blank. Then begin in the center of the blank and squeeze down. Work towards each end to give blank.