Hand Engraved Bracelet

So, to be honest, I’m pretty sure I’ve tried just about every different type of crafting and creating there is.  I’ve used all kinds of materials, tried lots of different techniques…I mean, come on.  I have a kiln that works in my microwave!  So, while I often get to try out various new products, there’s rarely something that comes along that totally rocks my world.  But it happened the other day.  I got a new tool that I can’t wait to show you…check it out.

Materials:
{Special thanks to Goody Beads for providing my super cool new toy!}
– BeadSmith Micro Engraver with LED Spotlight
– Vintaj Natural Brass Oval Blank
– 4 brass jump rings
– 1 brass lobster clasp
– 1 brass head pin
– brass chain
– 4mm Miracle Bead
– Wire cutters, Needle Nose Pliers

So here’s the tool.  The BeadSmith Micro Engraver.

It’s about the size of a pen, and it takes two AA batteries.  All you do is unscrew the black cap on the bottom, put your batteries in, push the little black button, and you’re in business…engraving metal in. your. house.  When the button is pushed, the engraver is on and so is the light.  When you release the button, everything powers off.  To use it, just touch the tip to your metal and write or draw.  Mind. Blown.

I had never played around with engraving anything before, so there was a little bit of a learning curve as I got started.  Here are a few tips I learned.

1. Everything works best if you place your blank on a solid flat surface.  I used the steel block I typically reserve for my metal stamping projects.

2. You should always tape your blank down.  The engraver tip is vibrating rapidly, so it will tend to move the blank around if it’s not secured in place.

3. Practice on inexpensive blanks.  Find shapes in your stash that you don’t love, pieces you’ve made other mistakes on, etc. to use while you get the hang of things.  Do NOT decide to test this puppy out on your wedding ring.  Once you’ve gotten a feel for how it works, then you can move on to more valuable pieces.

4. Use tape as a guide to keep your letters straight, and consider where the center of your word will be.  If you have a letter that goes below the line, like a “g, j, or y,” remove the tape in that little spot before you try engraving.  The engraver doesn’t play nicely with tape.

5. SLOW down.  Write about twice as slowly as you would with a pen and you’ll get more control and a nicer finished product.

6. Remove the batteries when not in use.  The button is very easy to press, which means it would also be easy for little hands to turn on by accident {or very much on purpose}.  Unless you want to see some engraving experiments on your furniture, your walls, and the dog, just pop those batteries out when you’re done.

Once you’ve got your engraved blank, it’s time to make something pretty out of it!  For mine, I used jump rings on each side of the blank to attach it to pieces of chain, and added a lobster clasp.  I wanted a little color too, so I put a little Miracle Bead on a head pin and added it to one of the jump rings.  If you’re not sure how to do that, check out my Basic Beading and Wire Wrapping tutorial!

I know my lettering’s not perfect {I’ve got more practicing to do!}, but I am just fascinated by this tool!  I mean, how cool is that?!  To be able to use your own handwriting on whatever piece you want…how meaningful would that make a gift for someone?  I’m really excited about all the possibilities!

What about you?  How would you use a micro engraver?  The best part is, it’s less than $25!  Can’t beat it…quick, affordable, and easy.  That’s how we roll; honestly.