STAMPARE IL METALLO

I'm clearly on a major metal stamping kick right now, but I've still got projects, so why stop now? This is a cute and unique way to label your plants, using old silverware that you could easily get from a thrift store.

Materials:

• antique spoon (Modern stainless versions don't stamp well at all.)
• metal stamps (Mine are from Evie's Tool Emporium on Etsy!)
• nail file, steel wool, or fine grit sandpaper
• permanent marker
• heavy rubber mallet

1. Place the spoon face-down against a very firm surface. Using a heavy rubber mallet, pound the back of the spoon until it is completely flattened. I found that setting the spoon atop a towel on the concrete worked better than a countertop or table.

2. Count out the letters in your word. Mine has six letters, so I marked six equally-spaced dots with permanent marker. These dots are to help you line up and space your letters properly when you begin stamping. Don't worry about ruining your spoon with permanent marker; we'll remove it in the last step.

3. Beginning with one of the middle letters, carefully place your stamp over the corresponding dot. Be sure that the letter is facing the proper direction, and then firmly whack the top of the stamp once with your rubber mallet or hammer. As you can see from the photo, I hit mine too hard, leaving a circular impression around the letters.

4. Using a permanent marker, completely fill in each letter. This will create a patina look to make the letters really pop against the silver surface.

5. Using a nail file, steel wool, or very fine sandpaper, gradually buff away all the permanent marker using a small, circular motion.Finish by wiping away all the dust and marker residue to polish it to a shine. Stick it into your plant, and voila!

 
You may have noticed this one a few weeks back when I guest posted on Ucreate! In case you missed it that go-around or didn't click through to Ucreate, here's the full tutorial:

Materials:

• sterling silver disc
• brass or copper disc
• metal letter stamps
• dapping block and punch
• steel bench block
• hammer or heavy rubber mallet
• jump ring
• sterling silver necklace chain

Step 1. Decide what you would like your disc to say. Count the letters in the word or phrase to determine which is the middle letter. I like to start at the middle to make sure the word is centered. My disc will say 'blessed,' so I started with the 's.'

Step 2. Place your sterling disc onto the steel bench block. This absorbs the shock of the hammer's blow and allows for a deep, even impression. Be sure that your stamp is right side up, and position it at the bottom center of your disc. Holding the stamp firmly in place, strike it twice very firmly just as you would with a nail. I have heard from people who know far more than I do that it is better for your stamps to use a heavy rubber mallet.

Step 3. Position your next letter next to the first. You can set the stamp in place and then tilt it back a bit to check the reflection to see where the letter will fall. I like my letters to be fairly widely-space, but you can put them as close or far as you'd like. Repeat until your word or phrase is complete.

Step 4. Place your brass or copper disc into the largest well on your dapping block. It is essential to begin with the largest well and gradually move into smaller wells to prevent your disc from skirting from being forced too suddenly into another shape.

Step 5. Very firmly hammer your punch while constantly moving it around the circumference of the disc and gradually rotating inward until you've reached the center. When you have formed the disc into the shape of the first well, you can move it into a smaller one and repeat the process.

Step 6. Continue dappping your disc until it has taken on a sufficiently domed appearance.

Step 7. Thread the sterling disc onto a jump ring. Next, thread the brass or copper disc onto the same ring over the sterling disc. Be sure that the dome is facing upwards, sort of like a little roof over your sterling disc. Close the ring and thread it onto a sterling silver necklace chain.

The domed disc can be rotated on the jump ring to reveal a hidden message beneath! This would make a really thoughtful gift for the woman who already has everything in the world or could even be made into a keychain for a man's gift.