Step 1
Place a circle blank on stamping block. Position Zodiac 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. Set blank aside.
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 2
Position second circle stamping blank on stamping block. Secure a straight stamp guide on blank. Use the guide marks to evenly space out letters and align stamp impressions.
TIP: Write desired message directly onto the stamp guide and utilize the guideline marks for spacing.
Step 3
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 by anchoring the side of your hand on workspace. Then strike stamp once with medium force using Metal Stamping Hammer. Repeat to complete desired word.
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.
Step 4
Place a circle blank inside dapping cavity of dapping block. Hold punch in center of blank and tap the punch with the Metal Stamping Hammer until blank is evenly domed into a concave shape. Repeat on remaining circle blank.
TIP: To dap blank into a Convex dome that curves outwards, place blank stamped side down in dapping cavity. To dap blank into a Concave dome that curves inwards, place blank stamped side up in dapping cavity.
Step 5
Highlight impressions with Stamp Enamel. Wait 3-5 minutes and then wipe away the excess enamel from the surface of the blanks.
Step 6
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 blank onto jump ring. Laterally twist the jump ring back with tension to close. Repeat with remaining blank.
Step 7
Cut two pieces of leather cord that are about 12-15 inches long. The leather cord should be long enough so when the ends overlap about an inch, your hand is able to move it and out of the bracelet comfortably.
Step 8
Slide one blank onto each cord, making sure the impressions are facing the same direction. Then slide beads onto the ends of the leather cord and tie an overhand knot to secure.
Step 9
Cut a third piece of leather cord that’s about 12 inches long. This will be used to make the sliding knot.
Step 10
Overlap the ends of the bracelet. Make a loop at one end of the sliding knot cord, leaving about a 3-inch short tail and position the cord alongside the bracelet cords.
Step 11
Hold the group of cords in place with your pointer finger and thumb. Starting next to the loop end, wrap the longer tail of the sliding knot cord around the other cords until you made five wraps. Keep the wraps loose, and make sure they don’t overlap.
Step 12
Thread the cord back through all the wraps, towards the loop. Then slowly pull the two ends, on opposite sides of the wraps, until the loops tighten and form a sliding knot. Make sure the sliding knot is not too tight as the bracelet cords will need to be able to slide through the knot.
Step 13
Finish the bracelet by trimming the ends of the sliding knot cord as well as tying an overhand knot at each end of the bracelet cord. Secure overhand knot with jewelry adhesive.
