Custom hand stamped pendants

by Danielle
(Ohio)

I usually do bead work and embellish with vintage elements. My skills are pretty basic but I'm learning all the time and am having a blast trying out different mediums.

I have always loved the look of custom stamped pendants. They are one-of-a-kind, and so personal to the person wearing them. I've been wanting to learn hand stamping for about a year, so I finally saved up enough for some supplies and practiced for a few months before showing my work to anyone besides family and close friends.

I've already gotten a fair amount of orders and I'm loving this! This technique is for me. I'd vouch to say that most of us are emotional about what we create, in that we put our heart and soul into each piece we design. I love that I'm creating a keepsake, a memento, for a mother, sister, child....it's just the best feeling to see that a piece really tugs at their heart, and they tell you it's exactly what they had hoped for!

I'll share a couple of pictures. I've mostly done "mommy necklaces" so far, with wire wrapped swarovski crystals as birthstones. I've done a couple of pet remembrance pieces. I just received my monogram (BIG!) stamps so I've done a few initial pendants. I have some short but sweet quotes stashed away that I'll try soon. I have so many ideas, I just wish I had enough time to "pound" them all out! It sure takes a lot more practice than I though...while watching tutorials, I thought, "well, that looks simple".

But it takes some time to learn how to properly position your stamps, how hard to hit the stamp with the hammer, how the different types of metals react (sterling is so soft, brass you have to hit a little harder!). But I'm getting there, and I can't wait to learn more!! Thanks for sharing in my excitement by reading my rant here. I've already learned a lot from all of you and I'm looking forward to hanging out more!

Danielle