Autumn’s Comet

SKILL LEVEL : Intermediate

Dazzle and shine like a comet flying through an autumn night sky! These unique hand-stamped celestial-inspired statement earrings will sure to WOW in color, shape, & texture!

Step 1

Place texture stamp of your choice in the Multi-Function Hammer, with the notch in the stamp facing down (when notch is available). Secure stamp in the hammer by tightening the screw at the bottom of the hammer.

Step 2

Set crescent stamping blank on stamping block. Hold the hammer with your palm of your hand over the screw and use one finger, off to the side, to hold the blank in place. Then stamp the blank repeatedly with medium force until the entire blank is textured.

TIP: Use stamp tape to secure the blank to the stamping block so it doesn’t move while texturing. You will be able to texture the blank through the tape.

TIP: Make sure you don't over texture the hole on the blank.

Step 3

Pierce/Re-pierce holes in the two corners of the crescent blank as well as in the center of the outside edge of the blank using the 1/16” punch of the 2 Hole Screw Down Punch. Simply turn the handle of the screw down punch until the punch pierces through the stamping blank. Twist the handle of the screw down punch in the opposite direction to raise the punch and remove blank. Set blanks aside.

TIP: Make sure not to screw the punch down too much as this will mar the surface of the blank and leave an unwanted impression of the base of the screw.

Step 4

Cut a little more than a 1 ¼” piece of artistic wire using flush cutters (this piece of wire will connect the two corners of the crescent moon). Grasp the end of the wire between the jaws of the round nose pliers. Rotate the pliers, keeping a firm grip on the wire, until a small round loop is formed.

Step 5

String beads onto the wire. Then create another round loop at the other end of the wire to secure the beads in place. Cut excess wire with flush cutters.

Step 6

Repeat the same wire technique with a shorter piece of wire, about ¾” (this will connect the crescent moon to the ear wire).

Step 7

Now connect the long beaded wire strand to the crescent blank. Use the tips of two chain nose pliers to grasp the sides of one of the rounded ends, with the opening of the loop facing up between the two pliers. Laterally twist each side of the loop in opposite directions to open. Slide the one corner of the crescent blank onto the loop. Laterally twist the loop back with tension to close. Repeat on other side.

TIP: Do NOT pull outwards on eye pins or jump ring as it will weaken the metal and distort the circular shape.

Step 8

Repeat the same technique to attach the short beaded strand to the crescent blank and to the ear wire.