Level 3
Rock Your World
Tools & Supplies
- Ergo-Angle Metal Stamping Hammer
- Steel Block
- Stamp Enamel Marker, Black
- Stamp Guides
- Stamp Tape
- Stamp Enamel Marker Silver
- Southwestern Mandala Stamp Pack
- High Polish Finishing Block
- 2 Hole Screw Down Punch
- Chain Nose Pliers (2)
- Flush Cutters
- Semi-Precious Charms, Labradorite
- Eclipse Solid Stamping Blank, 1 1/4, Alkemé
- Artisan Jump Rings, Plated, 7mm
- Tweezers
Start mandala pattern from the center using the lines and circles marks as guides to assist with spacing. Hold design stamps 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.
TIP: 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.
Continue stamping to the outside edge of the blank, turning the stamping block while working to complete the semi-circular pattern. This will ensure that the stamp is facing the correct direction. Remove the pattern grid.
TIP: Use tweezers to carefully remove any remaining stamp guide remnants from the stamped impressions. Make sure not to scratch the blank.
Pierce holes at the top (for the chain) and along the bottom of the blank (for the semi-precious charms) using the 1/16” punch of the Two Hole Screw Down Punch. Mark the desired location of the holes with a non-permanent marker. Line up the screw punch with the mark on the stamping blank. Once the punch and the mark are aligned, simply turn the handle of the screw down punch until the screw punch pierces through the stamping blank, leaving a clean crisp hole. Then twist the handle of the screw down punch in the opposite direction to raise the screw punch and remove blank. Wipe off any remaining marks.
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.
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 and one end of the pre-made chain onto the jump ring. Laterally twist the jump ring back with tension to close. Repeat to connect the other side of the chain to the blank.
NOTE: Do NOT pull outwards on the jump ring as it will weaken the metal and distort the circular shape of the ring.
Use the same jump ring technique to attach semi-precious charms to the bottom of the stamped blank. Then attach semi-precious charms to the chain by working from the bottom of the chain and counting 10 links before attaching the charm. Repeat this technique to work your way up the chain.
TIP: Use large-sized charms at the bottom of the chain to create a visual anchor and give the chain some weight.