• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
    • Punch Needle
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff

April 1, 2013 17 Comments

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time working to meet some goals and have been really exhausted, to the point that I have skipped out on things like sleeping enough and hanging out with friends. Today’s bracelet is one I plan to wear on days when I’m feeling like I need a little extra motivation to keep working toward my goals and staying sane. The outside of the bracelet says “keep your eye on the prize” and the inside is a personal reminder to relax once in awhile.

Supplies

aluminum bracelet blank
Wedding Celebration Design Stamps Pack
Metal Stamping Kit with stamping block, chasing hammer, & newsprint letter stamps
pencil
masking tape
ruler
fine point permanent marker
ultra fine point permanent marker
rubbing alcohol
paper towel
rubber mallet
bracelet mandrel or a round object to shape your cuff on

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

Directions

Tape your bracelet blank to your stamping block. Mark just past the vertical center of the blank on the masking tape with your ultra fine marker. My blank is 1 inch tall, so I marked my tape 0.6 inches from the top of the blank.

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

Attach a horizontal piece of tape at the marks you made. Using your ruler as a guide, make tick marks on your tape that mimic the marks on your ruler, and indicate the exact center of your bracelet blank. My blank was 6 inches wide, so my middle point is at 3 inches.

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

The phrase I used on my bracelet is “keep your eye on the prize”, which is 26 characters long, including spaces. The second e in the word “eye” is the centermost character in my phrase, so I wanted that just to the left of the exact center mark on my tape. In pencil, I worked from the center to write out my phrase on the tape. See the above photo for where I placed my phrase.

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

Working from the middle, begin stamping your letters onto your bracelet. Don’t know the first thing about metal stamping? Check out my Metal Stamping 101 (which has a video!) and Metal Stamping 201 tutorials.

If you run out of room on your stamping block, carefully shift your tape and bracelet blank as shown to accomodate your stamping.

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

Carefully peel the ruler tape off of your bracelet and retain it for use in the next phase of the project.
How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

Next, use your fine point marker to color in all of the stamped letters, and use rubbing alcohol to clean off the excess ink. The marker fills in each letter and makes it stand out from the bracelet blank really nicely.

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

Flip your blank over and spend a couple minutes measuring to find the center of your bracelet blank like you did on the other side. Then, use your fine point marker to write your second phrase on the masking tape right over the pencil letters from the first side. I incorporated a design stamp for a cheeky touch on my bracelet. If you use a design element, you’ll need to count it as an extra character when you count up your phrase characters to find its center.

The back of my bracelet reads “and relax [champagne flute]”, so the center of my back phrase is between the letters r and e of “relax.” I placed the r just to the left of center and the e just to the right. Just like on the first side, I started stamping from the middle and worked my way outward.

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

If you want to fill in the back with marker, you can do that. Then, flip your bracelet back over and use the rounded end of your chasing hammer to add some texture to the outside of your bracelet by hammering all over the bracelet. Don’t forget to use the stamping block to protect your work surface from the hammering.

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

Finally, shape your bracelet. Don’t try to simply bend it around your wrist like the first photo below. Doing that will result in a weirdly angular cuff, rather than something shaped more like the letter C.

What you’ll want to do is use a rounded object and rubber mallet to shape your cuff. I don’t own a fancy bracelet mandrel since I’m not a pro jewelry maker, so I grabbed a dusty free weight I had laying around the house. It was almost as big as my wrist and could handle a bit of hammering.

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

When you’re all done, it should be shaped something like this:

How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff at HandsOccupied.com

Metal stamping supplies featured in this post were provided by ImpressArt. All opinions are my own. (PS: Regarding the phrase, “keep your eye on the prize”, I’ve always said “eye” and not “eyes,” which a bit of post-project Googling taught me is weird. Whoops! :))

Filed Under: DIY Style, How-to, Metal Stamping Tagged With: accessories, bracelet, cuff, diy, hammer, metal, metal stamping, style

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

Previous Post: « Feed me! Well, you.
Next Post: Wednesday Treat: Shabby Apple Giveaway »

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • DIY Cuff InspirationDIY Cuff Inspiration
  • DIY Light-Up Cuff BraceletDIY Light-Up Cuff Bracelet
  • 10 DIY Knotted Jewelry Projects10 DIY Knotted Jewelry Projects
  • How-to: Washi Tape Statement NecklaceHow-to: Washi Tape Statement Necklace

Comments

  1. Andrew

    April 1, 2013 at 8:36 am

    It looks great Heidi. Maybe it is like having one eye on the prize but your other eye is free to look around to keep your options open.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      April 1, 2013 at 9:57 am

      lol! That fits me to a T :D

      Reply
  2. Erin S.

    April 1, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    This is the best tutorial I’ve seen for metal stamping! Bookmarking now and sharing on Pinterest!

    Reply
  3. Ruth

    April 6, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    I am jealous of your hammer…and I love your bracelet “mandrel” !!! Way to improvise! Awesome project!

    Reply
  4. Pauline

    September 28, 2013 at 2:06 am

    Great tutorial,…. Gonna attempt this today!
    x

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 28, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      Thanks! :) Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
  5. Rachel | 52 Weeks Project

    January 5, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    This is so cool! I’ve done basic metal stamping before, but this makes me want to run out and get my own kit :)

    Reply
  6. Michelle

    March 15, 2014 at 7:35 am

    So cute! I love your tape ruler, I have been trying to figure out how to space my letters and that will really help!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      March 15, 2014 at 11:59 am

      Yeah, I swear by my masking tape “rulers”! :)

      Reply
  7. Jenna

    July 16, 2014 at 1:39 am

    love the cuff bracelet, I get my blanks from http://handstamping.com which are wonderful but they do not carry cuff bracelets and these look like they are a similar thickness to their aluminum metal stamping blanks, do you mind sharing where you get them, I could not find them on impressart’s site
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      July 16, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      I got those blanks at Michaels in a multi-pack, they’re great!

      Reply
  8. Julie

    December 22, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    Hi! I’m just starting out with metal stamping. I’ve done one Mother’s day necklace so far. Made quite a few mistakes but I think I’ve got it now. I plan on reading your video. I’m a librarian too! :)

    Reply
    • Heidi

      December 22, 2015 at 10:19 pm

      Awesome! I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Metal stamping is super fun! -Heidi

      Reply
  9. Jeannie

    August 1, 2016 at 3:20 am

    Great tutorial thank you

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Links I Like says:
    April 6, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    […] your own personalized metal stamped cuff. What would you stamp on yours? This floral embroidery (appliqued to a sweater), is just gorgeous. […]

    Reply
  2. October Craft: gioielli fai da te di metallo | Inspire We Trust says:
    October 4, 2013 at 1:41 am

    […]  /  5. DIY Bracelet  /  6. DIY Chained Rings  /  7. DIY Three Finger Rings  /  8. How-to: Metal Stamped Cuff  /  9. Rib-like Curved Bar Necklace  /  10. Brass tube necklace  /  11. Ring around the […]

    Reply
  3. Utisni svoju ljubav u metal | Hypo Teens Klub says:
    January 23, 2015 at 8:12 am

    […] Narukvica za djevojke može biti i ponešto drugačija. Duguljasta na koju stane sve što želiš. Možda čak i njezina omiljena pjesma. Kako ju izraditi pogledaj na stranici Hands Occupied. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

learn more / work with me

Find Me on Social Media

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

Footer

INSTAGRAM

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
.
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
.
Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
.
During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
.
Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
.
These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
.
I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
.
In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
.
Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
.
You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
.
Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
.
Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
.
Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
.
Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
.
Image descriptions available in alt text. 
.
#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
.
P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
.
Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
.
#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy