grrrrr / breathe bracelet tutorials

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue

Designer Tips

• Use a ruler and Sharpie to draw a dot or line in the middle if the bracelet.
• Write your word or phrase on a piece of paper, about the size you'll be stamping, and keep it where it's easy to see. Find the middle letter and start stamping from the middle outward to the ends, to keep your design symmetrical.
• Try to keep your stamp strength consistent so some letters aren't deeper than others.
• Before using a letter that's easy to mix up, do a test stamp on a scrap of metal to make sure that "a" isn't really a "g". Otherwise the "a" for the middle of "breathe" might suddenly become the "g" at the beginning of "grrrrrr!". (Maybe a roller derby gal will buy it!)
• For detailed metal stamp techniques see Metal Stamping 101 PDF.

• After stamping word(s), add design stamps. To me, the tri-swirl looks like air or fresh spring breezes.
• Shake well, and add a few drops of verdigris color to the word(s) and designs. Push it into each shape with your fingertip or a cotton swab. Wait a few minutes for it to dry, check it, then in a circular motion, sand off the excess color with a microfine (1200-1500 grit) sanding sponge. Reserve this sanding sponge for aluminum in the future. (Metal contamination when soldering or applying chemicals to metal can be bad.)
• Before bending into a bracelet shape, turn the strip on its side and use a ball pein hammer to lightly texture the edges. This smooths any rough/sharp edges. Feel around all the edges -- is it ready to wear, or does it need more tapping?
• When comfortable, turn flat again (so your words are facing you) and add any final texturing desired. Hammer texture helps hide scratch marks, and bracelets tend to get scratched when worn, so be generous!
• Follow the instructions included with the EZ-bender. Stop where it says stop! Or you'll need a nylon hammer to straighten the middle of the bracelet.
• I like to shape the ends just a little bit more. If desired, use flat nylon-jaw pliers to bring the ends in a bit flatter.

• 1 each #44-772-40 ImpressArt Aluminum Bracelet Blank, 3/8"
• 1 each #86-422-004 Ranger Patina, Vintaj - Verdigris
• 1 each #69-245-92 ImpressArt Metal Stamp, Tri-Swirl
• 1 set #69-244-20 EURO TOOL 1/8" (3mm) Lowercase Siena Alphabet (Letter) Metal Stamps Set, 27 Piece
• 1 each #69-603 The BeadSmith E-Z Bender Tool for Cuff Bracelets
• Optional: 1 each #69-271-91 EURO TOOL Glitter, Nylon Jaw, Flat-Nose Jewelry Pliers

• #69-138 ball pein or chasing hammer
• #69-123 EURO TOOL Combo Bench Block
• #69-345 EURO TOOL Hammer, Brass, 2lb
• #69-257-0005 3M Sanding Sponges, 1200-1500 Grit

• A centerpunch makes a nice accent in many designs. I used it for accent dots over the flame stamp. Use a light touch or it will stamp too deeply!
• A nice exclamation point can be made with the letter "l" from most lower-case typefaces (or the "I" from sans-serif upper-case typefaces), and the smallest circle from the BeadSmith circle metal stamp set.

• 1 each #44-772-29 ImpressArt Aluminum Bracelet Blank, 5/8"
• 1 set #69-364 Center Punch, 4pc
• 1 set #69-246-25 The BeadSmith Metal Stamp, Circle Set
• 1 each #69-245-135 ImpressArt Metal Stamp, Fire
• 1 each #86-110-005 Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Red Pepper