How to Stamp on Metal (and what not to do)

The other day I was watching the Bachelorette. Don’t pretend you don’t watch it too. It’s an amazing train wreck of a show, and is so awkward and strange. I pretty much watch every season, and is it just me, or is this season especially awkward with Des?

A few weeks ago, I was watching Drew and Desiree totally making out in a random alley in Barcelona, when I noticed how beautiful her simple necklace was.

I immediately fell in love with the simple look of a basic necklace. And of course, I wanted it. So I thought to myself, “Miss Corduroy Dreams, you can make one of those!”

And I did. But not before I messed it up. So, I want to show you how I made my stamped necklace, and what not to do when making your own.

You’ll need:

A hammer

Stamping set (mine was pretty cheap at Harbor Freight)

Stamping blanks, washers, or whatever metal you’re going to stamp on.

An anvil or flat piece of metal. (my father in law had this one laying around in his garage)

I found my stamping blanks at Hobby Lobby.

Your stamps will have one flat end- that you hammer, and one with the letter on it.

 

Make sure you have the end with the letter pressed against your metal. Hold it tight so it won’t wiggle.

And give it 2 or 3 bangs with the hammer.

You’ll learn as you go, and you’ll probably mess up on a few before you get one just right. Pounding it just the right amount is tricky.

Once you’ve got your impression, fill it in with Sharpie.

And quickly wipe the Sharpie off with a wet paper towel, or a baby wipe. This will leave the impressed letter black.

Remember how I said you’ll probably mess up on a few before you get one just right?

Here’s how I messed up.

My “J” is too deep. I hit it 4 times, hard, with the hammer. I shouldn’t have done that.

My “M” didn’t stamp evenly. I wasn’t holding my stamp flat on the blank.

My “B” is upside down. That should have been a no-brainer. Plus, it’s uneven too.

My “C” is just right. I pounded it twice, held the stamp straight, and made sure it was centered and right-side up.

 

 I haven’t decided if I’m going to re-do my J,M, and B. (for Jack, Molly, and Benson), or if I’ll just wear my C for Casey.

How much do you think Desiree spent on her necklace? A whole bunch. Mine cost just a dollar or two, and wasn’t too bad to make.

Ok, so back to the important item of business…

Are you guys watching the Bachelorette this season? I’m not proud to admit that I watch it, but it is my guilty pleasure on Monday nights once the kids and my husband go to sleep. I don’t know what it is about that silly show that I love. Maybe it’s how extremely awkward the whole thing is. But it’s like a train wreck, I just can’t stop watching! Ahh!

 Do you have a favorite? My favorite guy is probably Drew or Chris… except Drew seems SUPER serious all of the time, and I like Chris as long as he isn’t writing poetry, which is pretty much all the time.

And by the way, I think we’ve seen enough guys named Chris…

Right?

Ok, tell me I’m not the only one slightly obsessed with this whole Bachelor thing.