Beginner's Metal Stamping Checklist

• Join Lisa and learn all the basics on getting started with stamping with our how-to video posted at the bottom of this page. 
• Or, head to our YouTube channel for hundreds of how-to vids!

 A Letter Stamp Set and Stamping Tape

• There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to picking the style of letter that you want to work with.
• Use the Stamping Tape to mark measurements indicating where each letter should be placed. The thickness of the tape makes it so easy to catch the edge of the bottom of your stamp as you drag it down. Your letters will be perfectly aligned!

 Bench Block

• You must work on a good size block for the proper resistance. I love this 4" x 4" bench block.
• Made from high quality tool steel and ground smooth.
• Ideal surface for stamping, forging or texturing.

 16 oz. Hammer

• You need a hammer which weighs at least one pound (16oz.)
• We recommend the 1lb Brass Head Hammer/Mallet.
• Gives a nice dead blow with less bounce.
• Great performance when dapping or stamping.

 Stamping Blanks

• Our selection of metal stamping blanks may be smaller these days, but we’ve kept all the essentials you love. 
• Just don't forget to practice on that copper sheet before you hit these blanks!

 "Moxidizing"

• Adding ink, nail polish, pain or enamel is a quick way to darken, or color, the stamped areas of your jewelry. We like to use an Industrial Sharpie.
• Once you color over your stamped word, just polish away with your Pro Polish Pad or a bit of rubbing alcohol on a tissue.
• We call it "moxidizing" because "oxidizing" refers to turning your metal black, but since this pen is only adding ink (rather than changing the surface of the metal) it's like faux oxidizing, which we termed moxidizing ;)

 Pro Polish Pads

• Pro Polish Pads
• Great for polishing or removing oxidation or ink from your blanks.

 Metal Hole Punch 

• We have a huge variety of hole punches to pop a hole in your metal. 
• Here is a link to all our punches.
• The Power Punch Plier is a big fan favorite because it gives you so many hole options and it creates a really clean hole.

 Jump Rings

• These are necessary for hanging your pendants once you have punched your hole. 
• We love oval jump rings because your finished piece will hang with a lower profile and the opening of the ring will naturally be on the side making it less likely for the pendant to slip out of the ring.
• 18 gauge jump rings are perfect for your 1.25mm punched holes.
• 16 gauge jump rings are perfect for your 1.8mm punched holes.

 Pliers

• In order to open and close your jump rings, you will need a Chain Nose plier or and a Flat Nose plier or a Bench Chain nose...basically you need 2 pliers, any of those 3 will work. 
• Here's a video to show you how to properly open and close your rings.

 Optional: Stamping on Metal Starter Kit

• We no longer sell our stamping starter kit but with the links on this page or by looking at our Stamping Tools, you can build your own!

 Optional: Design Stamps

• Browse our vast collection of design stamps.
• Starting out with a less detailed stamp is easier. 
• The more detailed design stamps may require a 2 lb hammer.
• The Tilt n' Tap method (shown here) helps with stamping design stamps.

 Optional: Stamped Metal Jewelry by Lisa Niven Kelly

• For more stamping ideas, check out Lisa's bestselling book, Stamped Metal Jewelry, or the follow-up book, New Stamped Metal Jewelry, by Lisa and Taryn!
• Step-by-step instructions on 10 projects!
• Learn to layer, rivet, texture and oxidize your stamped jewelry.
• Link stamped components with flat wire and wire wrapping.
• Create charms and incorporate stamped links into your beaded projects.