I’ve made jewelry as my only income for over 10 years and more
recently picked up some silversmithing.
I just recently started stamping 1/2 round SS Wire for quick
bracelets. The 1/2 round was suggested by a Native American (which I
am also) friend who has been doing silver smithing longer than I have.
I doubt there’s any magic wand to wave over me so I get instantly
perfect at doing this. I have annealed it,and not prior to stamping.
I’m using a brass hammer and a steel block. Does anyone have any
suggestions other than practice, practice, practice, for me to perfect
this skill quicker than I am? I also tried Crazy 8 (1/2 round) wire
from Thunderbird as it was supposed to have more of a flat type 1/2
round wire. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Sharon Perdasofpy
E-mail: @Sharon_Perdasofpy
Hi Sharon; I also do a lot of stamping in my jewelry,I probably have
between 200-300 various design stamps. One of the most important
things,really two things to help in making designs using design
stamps,is to use a thin piece if cardboard ( and I mean thin,about
the thickness of a paper matchbook) underneath the metal to prevent
bouncing,ie., to prevent a double image. The second is to strike the
stamp hard enough to imprint an image,but only deep enough so that
you can align the stamp in the image again and continue to strike
until reaching the desired depth. I didn’t understand your statement
about annealing,but you must always anneal before stamping,in fact if
it is a piece that is going to have a great deal of stamped
designs,you will have to anneal several times,since stamping hardens
the metal.I’m glad to see more native Americans on Orchid since I am
also. Hope this helps,best wishes, John Barton, Images By JJ
Sharon, Back in days of old when I made stamped bracelets one of my
main problems was the size of the stamps. Most stamps are made for
stamping large bracelets and pendants. I annealed the commercially
available stamps, filed them down to a smaller size, and hardened
them again. Making your own stamps is another way around this
problem. I use automobile valves. They are ready available from
automobile machine shops. Buy the burned out valves (most shops
throw them away). Cut the valve head off and make your stamp out of
the valve stem. Follow the same sequence, anneal the stem, carve
the face of the stem, and harden the whole piece. On forming your
metal. I followed the following sequence for “crazy 8” and other 1/2
rounds. Cut off the desired length. Flatten the wire on a bench
plate. Anneal the wire. Stamp the wire. Anneal the wire. Shape
the bracelet. I have done bracelets, earring, rings, and pendants in
this manner.
Gerry Galarneau
Hi John,
I really appreciate your prompt reply and your answers. We just got
back from the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation (Livingston, TX). My
husband is a drum maker & he went to sing.
Many A-Ho’s!
Sharon