Radiate From Within
SKILL LEVEL : Advanced
Words have the power to shift one’s mindset.
Be empowered as you hand stamp, and empower others with mindfulness mantras to live by. Simple mantra words make it easy for one to calm their mind, refocus, and ground themselves. Each time they look at their hand-stamped keepsake, they will be reminded of the words that can positively change the direction of their day.
Create an organic oval-circle shape out of a 2” heart stamping blank. Then use metal shears to slightly snip various areas around the blank. Use coarse grit on the Matte Finish Buffing Block to soften the blank shape. 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.
Place blank on stamping block. Mark the center of the blank using a non-permanent marker. Adhere a bracelet guide across the blank just under the center dot on the blank. Use the guide marks to align stamp impressions.
Place Mantra Word Ultra Detail Stamp on blank. Lightly drag stamp towards the guide until the stamp catches the edge of the guide. 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.
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: 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 stamp tape to secure the blank to the stamping block so it doesn’t move while stamping.
Continue stamping other Ultra Detail Mantra Words around the center point of the blank. Turn the stamping block while working and reposition the bracelet guide to complete the desired design. This will ensure that the stamp is facing the correct direction. Remove bracelet guide.
Further personalize the stamped design by creating a starburst design that radiates in between the stamped word impressions from the center of the blank.
Hold the 1.8mm crystal setter flat and firmly in place on the stamping blank. Strike with medium force using metal stamping hammer until a round indentation is formed in the stamping blank. The indentation should be deep enough so that the edges of the crystal are set in the divot and the top of the crystal protrudes out from the blank.
Then use the 4mm Ultra Detail Line stamp to create rays in between the stamped words and around the stamped crystal divot.
Pierce a hole in the desired location on the blank using the 1/16” punch of the 2 Hole Screw Down Punch. 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.
Buff stamped blank to a brilliant, high-shine finish using High Polish Finish Blocks. Use fine grit to quickly clean and polish blank. 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.
NOTE: If blank was matted in Step 1, matte the stamped blank some more as well as the back of the blank to create a more finished piece.
Secure flat back crystal or crushed bead inside stamped divot impressions with jewelry adhesive, and allow to dry. Use tweezers to help set crystal or bead in place, making sure not to scratch the blank.
Use the tips of two chain nose pliers to grasp the sides of a jump ring, with the opening of the jump ring facing up between the two pliers. Laterally twist each side of the jump ring in opposite directions to open the ring. Slide stamped blank onto jump ring. Then drape the chain over the opened ring. Laterally twist the jump ring back with tension to close.
NOTE: Do NOT pull outwards on the jump ring as it will weaken the metal and distort the circular shape of the ring.
