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Stamped Keychain – For Writers (Or For Anyone)

11/04/2014 by Adrianne Surian 5 Comments

Did you know that November is National Novel Writing Month?  It is!  There are thousands of writers busting out novels in the 30 days of this month.  I am pretty involved in my local region – I’m not writing a novel this year, but I still help get the events off the ground – and, I contribute to the silent auction.  I made up this quick stamped keychain as an auction item, but if you’re looking for gifts for guys, gifts for writers, or gifts for just about anyone – a personalized piece like this isn’t girly, and handmade is always awesome <— says the girl who makes stuff. ;)

Hand Stamped Key Chain - Gifts for Writers at www.happyhourprojects.com

I’ve got a great metal stamping for beginners tutorial that is FAR more detailed than today’s post.  I’ll give you a stamping overview today, and some links where you can find these products (and a quick note – I do benefit if you choose to make a purchase using these links), but you can put your own spin on this piece and make the perfect gift for anyone on your list by using their favorite phrase, an inside joke, a lovely sentiment, or whatever they’re into.

What you’ll need to make a hand-stamped keychain:

  • Stamp set – you can go basic, or you can use my favorite font, Newsprint
  • Bench block and hammer
  • Round soft strike pewter blank
  • Stamp-straight tape (or washi tape, which is what I use when I run out)
  • Permanent marker and polish pad
  • Optional design stamps
  • Split ring and key ring

Hand Stamped Key Chain - Gifts for Writers at www.happyhourprojects.com

First – the stamping.  I plot out how I’m going to space my letters with tape, and I mark them to stay as close as I can to the plan.  I do get a little off-center sometimes, but that’s because I’m a little rusty… I love stamping, I need to get back into it more regularly, for sure!

So, stamp your piece.  If you’re new to stamping, pewter is a great metal to work with because it’s a soft strike material. Plus, it’s nice and heavy, so it feels more substantial.  You want to hit each letter just once with your hammer.

Next, darken your letters.  My preferred method is a permanent marker, but you can use acrylic paint – or you can even truly oxidize your piece.  This is quick, easy, and the least amount of mess for me, though.

Hand Stamped Key Chain - Gifts for Writers at www.happyhourprojects.com

Now, polish it.  You should be able to remove ALL the ink from the raised surface.

Hand Stamped Key Chain - Gifts for Writers at www.happyhourprojects.com

Finally – assemble the key ring.  I recommend you use a split ring, so that over time the charm doesn’t detach from the key ring.

Hand Stamped Key Chain - Gifts for Writers at www.happyhourprojects.com

So, what kinds of things might you stamp for the people on your gift list?

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Filed Under: Featured, Jewelry, Metal Stamping, NaNoWriMo, Tutorials Tagged With: gifts, gifts for guys, jewelry, metal, metal stamping, NaNoWriMo, personalized, pewter, stamped

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I love it when you love my work! All tutorials and photos published at Happy Hour Projects are copyrighted. If you would like to feature my tutorial on your website or share it on your social media you may use one photo to feature, as long as you provide a link back to the original post.

If you feature a photo, it may not be accompanied by the project tutorial or recipe, whether in my own words as it originally appears or paraphrased by you. This also includes personal sharing on social media and Pinterest. Publishing multiple photos from a project, or including instructions with an accompanying photo are not permitted and you will be asked to remove them.

I love to share my projects, and my tutorials, recipes, and e-books are ALL free for your personal use. However, photos and ideas that are published to this site are my protected intellectual property. You may print them at home, but please do not copy or distribute them. I also allow all designs to be made and sold at fundraisers, craft fairs, etc. If you are selling a piece made from one or more of my free tutorials in your online shop, I require that you use your own, original photography, and include a link back to my website to credit me as the designer.

I hope you enjoy what you read here, and please be fair when you share!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. IOAEwmlIfg3s7

    12/28/2016 at 8:50 am

    248086 6226I wan?t going to comment as this posts a bit old now, but just wanted to say thanks. 71004

    Reply
  2. Pam

    11/05/2014 at 9:26 am

    Hi Adrianne! Would you consider selling your “Word Warrior” disc? Would be perfect for my writer daughter. Thanks!

    Reply

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Hello, and welcome! I'm Adrianne, an artist, author, designer, and blogger in mid Michigan. I work from home, chase my two kids, and this once-city-girl is learning how to care for chickens and adjusting to life out in the country. I have a compulsion for daily creativity... sometimes it's jewelry-making, paper crafting, metal stamping, mixing and baking, or giving new life to recycled items. But with 2 young kids, time is short! My goal here at Happy Hour Projects is to share projects and tips that you can do in an hour or less. The ideas you find here are designed to add a little creativity in your day, no matter how much (or how little) time you have!

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