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Kate Richbourg shares techniques for texturing metal.


For More Information Visit:


www.beadingdaily.com

For more information about Kate Richbourg visit
Katerichbourg.blogspot.com


Texturing is altering the surface of the metal and provides an interesting contrast to smooth metal in a finished piece. This tile will teach you a few simple techniques for varying the texture of your pieces.

Tools
You will need

  • Jewelry Ruler
  • Permanent marker
  • Bench block
  • A few letter or design stamps (including period stamp)
  • Brass Head Hammer
  • Chasing Hammer
  • Rivet Hammer
  • Pro polish pads

Steps
Divide the tile in quarters
Use a permanent marker and your jewelry ruler to make lines across your square, dividing it in quarters.  You will be using one quarter for each technique and then polishing the lines away later.

Stamp a monogram, word, or design Choose the three initials of your name or stamp a word of your choice. Make sure your metal is on a bench block on a solid surface.  Make sure your metal is on a bench block on a solid surface.  Use your non dominant hand to hold the stamp against the metal and keep it steady. I use my thumb on one side and all four fingers on the other side to get maximum control.  If needed, rest your hand on the surface of the bench block. Strike the stamp with one swift blow of the brass head hammer. (Do not use the jewelry hammers that you use for shaping or forming, as the metal stamps will dent and damage them.)

Design stamps are a little trickier to master than letter stamps. Depending on the complexity of the design you may need to strike the stamp several times to get a complete imprint. Hold the stamp steady so multiple whacks do not result in a blurred imprint.
Stamping tips:

  • If you are stamping your initials, it looks nice to have the last initial larger and in the center, with the first and middle initials slightly smaller to either side.
  • You could mix up upper and lower case letters if you do not have multiple sized fonts.
  • “Feel” the surface of the metal with the head of the stamp so that the design contacts the metal completely.
  • Don’t be afraid to get creative with your stamping. You can use a period stamp or center punch to stamp a decorative dot above and below your letters or further embellish the monogram using a simple decorative stamp like a swirl or a spiral.

Making Dots
In the next quarter of your tile, try playing with the period stamp.  You can also use a center punch for this part.  This is a great general patterning tool that I use quite a bit to add interest to my pieces.  Striking the stamp harder will result in larger dots. 

Making Lines
Starting in a fresh corner of your tile, use the tapered end of the riveting hammer to tap close set lines across then rotate the tile ¼ turn and tap another set of lines to overlap the first. In this way you can form a cross-hatch pattern.

Making Dimples
You can use the ball end of a chasing hammer to tap a close-set hammered pattern on the surface of the metal. Try it out on the fourth corner of the square.

Remove the marker lines
Polish the surface of your metal with a pro polish pad to remove the permanent marker. Voila!  You have four new techniques to add sparkle and interest to the surface of your pieces.

Trouble shooting/Points to remember

  • Always hammer and stamp on a steel bench block on a solid surface.
  • Remember, you can use a mouse pad under your block to dampen the noise.
  • Take the time to hold your stamps correctly and make sure they contact all the way around before you strike, especially for designs or larger stamps.
  • Use the brass head mallet on tools, and not directly on your metal.
  • The chasing hammer, on the other hand, should be reserved for hammering on your jewelry and never used for tools.

For more information about Kate Richbourg visit: katerichbourg.blogspot.com 

Kate Richbourg & Katie Hacker

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