How to Metal Stamp a Leather Cuff

As a professional craft designer, I am always experimenting with new products, techniques and concepts.  One of the best things I learned to do a couple of years ago was learn how to metal stamp.  If you’ve been to my blog,  you’ve heard me say it before….I am addicted!!!  Sigh…I really am.  I never have a problem figuring out how I want to incorporate some type of hand stamped element into a project.

One thing that I’m not very good at is jewelry making.  However, with my trusty metal stamps at my side, I am able to make some simple pieces that have a little more sophistication to them…all because of the stamps.  Check out how to metal stamp this leather cuff…which makes a wonderful accessory!  Enjoy….

Materials:

• ImpressArt Metal Alphabet Stamps, Bridgette, uppercase and lowercase
• ImpressArt Metal Stamping Hammer
• ImpressArt Steel Stamping Block
• ImpressArt Stamp Straight Tape
• Metal tags with 2 holes, copper
• Leather cuff
• 2 brads, copper
• Aleene’s Metal and Jewelry glue
• Acrylic paint, black
• Q-tips
• Paper towel
• Cutting mat
• Japanese Screw Punch
• Fine tip Sharpie
• Round wooden dowl (even a rolling pin will work)

Instructions:

1. Place the metal tag on the ImpressArt Steel Stamping Block and place a piece of Stamp Straight Tape so that the bottom of the tape lines up with the bottom of the metal blank.

2. Line the stamps up with the top edge of the tape.  Start by centering the letter A, the add the other letters being careful to space them out as evenly as possible.

3. Move the tape so that it lines up with the center of the two holes.  Stamp the word “and” in lowercase.  Stamp the N, using the word above it to find the center.  In other words, the N goes under the A.

4. Move the tape again, so that there will be a little bit of space under the word “LOVE”.

5. Line the stamps up with the edge of the tape when stamping to keep the word as straight as possible.

6. Stamp the peace symbols that come with Bridgette on either side of the word Peace.

7. With a Q-tip, smoosh some black acrylic paint into the grooves of the letters.  Wipe away the excess with a piece of paper towel.

8. Next, take the stamped metal blank and line it up on the cuff where you want to secure it.

9. Mark the two holes with a fine tip Sharpie.

10. Place the cuff on a cutting matt and punch holes through the leather using a Japanese Screw Punch.

11. Put a small amount of Aleene’s Metal and Jewelry glue on the back of the metal blank and secure it to the leather cuff so that the holes line up.

12. Insert the brads and splay the backs open.

13. Flip the leather cuff over and let the glue set for about an hour.

14. Once the glue has dried, use a rounded tool to carefully bend and mold the metal so that it curves slightly.

 15. Now it’s ready to wear.

Hope you enjoyed this project.  What would you make if you had metal stamps of your own?  How would you use them?  Let’s share ideas in the comments.

Artfully yours………..Theresa