Step 1
OPTIONAL: For a more organic feel, use metal shears to slightly snip various areas around the blanks. Use coarse grit on the Matte Finish Buffing Block to soften any sharp edges. Hold the buffing block in the palm of hand and use downward strokes with moderate pressure to file sharp edges. Repeat until edges are smooth to touch.
Note: Be sure not to scratch the surface of the blank.
(Optional) Buff surface of the 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 the surface to a matte finish. Repeat until desired texture is achieved.
Step 2
Place a circle blank on stamping block. Position Metaphysical Ultra Detail Design Stamp in the center of the blank. Use the Tilt & Tap technique to stamp 6mm and larger stamps, or stamps with more details. While applying pressure to the stamp, strike once with medium force. Then without lifting stamp, continue to strike while very slightly tilting the stamp in a circular motion to catch all sides of the design. Repeat on remaining blanks with different ultra detail design stamps.
TIP: If the stamp has an ImpressArt logo, make sure it is facing you so that the impression is stamped in the correct direction.
TIP: Use stamp tape to secure the blank to the stamping block so it doesn’t move while stamping.
Step 3
Stamp dot designs around the stamped crystals to further personalize the blank.
Step 4
Highlight impressions with Stamp Enamel. Wait 3-5 minutes and then dab the excess enamel into the impressions with a paper towel before lightly wiping it away from the surface of the blanks.
Step 5
Place blank, impression side up, inside a dapping cavity that is slightly bigger than the size of the blank. Hold punch in center of blank and tap the punch with the Metal Stamping Hammer. Then continue to tap the punch while rotating the punch at an angle in the dapping cavity until blank is evenly domed into a concave shape. To create more of a dome, move the blank to the next smallest dapping cavity. And repeat the dapping process. Repeat on remaining blank.
Note: Blanks should be gradually dapped. Start from a larger dapping cavity and work down in size until desired doming effect is achieved.
Step 6
Turn the dapped, stamped blank over so that it’s upside down on the stamping block. Place chasing texture stamp in the Multi-Function Hammer, with the notch in the stamp facing down. Secure stamp in the hammer by tightening the screw at the bottom of the hammer. Hold the hammer with your palm of your hand over the screw and use two fingers, to hold the blank in place. Then strike the middle of the blank repeatedly in a circular motion with light-medium force to flatten the center a bit. This will ensure that the blank will sit flat on the earring post stud.
Step 7
Buff stamped blanks 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. Set polished stamped blanks aside.
Step 8
Secure earring post stud to the back of stamped blanks using jewelry adhesive, and allow to dry for at least 24-hours before wearing. Use tweezers or chain nose pliers to help set the earring post in place.
