Hand Stamping

[BlueSoulDesigns]

Hi all!

I have been interested in trying to learn how to do hand stamping. I think it's beautiful and there are endless possibilities as to what you can do. However, I really do not know where to start.

For the seasoned hand stampers out there, is there any advice/tips you can give me?

Are there specific hand stamping tools that work well for you? Like anything else, i'm sure not all are equal. Also, what about start up cost for something like this (tools, stamps, disks)? Thank you!

[khmetalwork]

Stamps can be expensive ranging from $5 for the most generic to $90'ish for a custom made design stamp. Alpha numeric stamps in different fonts have come way down in price - used to be if you wanted a set in anything but the most generic typeface you had to order it and pay custom work prices - although if you want a font that isn't commercial available you're still going to pay custom work prices e.g., an upper and lower case set from Infinity is about $500.

So you have to choose - less out of pocket but use stamps everyone else uses or higher start up costs for unique stamps.

Use copper to start - it's cheap (relative to sterling); there is a learning curve - stamp placement & how hard to hit the stamp. I think you get the best results if you anneal the metal first and work on a steel bench block.

Beadeducation sells stamps and blanks (no affiliation), go to their website I think they have links to youtube videos they've created to help you get started.

[PangaeaDesigns]

Here's a team with helpful members who will answer your questions:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/8389/hand-stamping-crazies/members

And as said, like most other things, you get what you pay for. But a cheap set of stamps, some copper, steel bench block, and a 1 lb brass mallet will get you started.

[andiestevensdesigns]

Beaducation also has a ton of free videos! That's how I got started. Youtube has a lot of great videos as well :) Good luck! It's addictive, hee hee...

[BlueSoulDesigns]

Thanks guys for the great info! I will check out Beaducation for sure!

[theurbanbeader]

Last day for our sale on the Pinafore and Bradley font sets.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77987588/metal-steel-stamps-25mm-bradley?ga_search_query=bradley&ga_sear...