Brass Stampings, Not be Confused with Rubber Stamping!

I get asked that all the time.....what IS a brass stamping?  Does it have something to do with rubber stamping?

A brass stamping is a a jewelry component.  Brass stampings have been made in the United States for well over a hundred years and have been made in Europe for far longer than that. 

We specialize in brass stampings for jewelry making at http://www.bsueboutiques.com

While I'm sure if you are a clever soul you can certainly find ways to use brass stampings along with your rubber stampings projects (such as in altered art), brass stampings are not used LIKE rubber stampings.   They can be charms, necklace centerpieces, jewelry connectors, brooch tops.  They can be colorized, bent, manipulated, such as jewel wrap with filigree that is so popular right now.   They can be decorative or functional. 

That's all up to you, because YOU are the artist!

Brass stampings are not usually the same on both sides.  Let's discuss the photo, below:

    The top two charms are shown front and back.  As you can see, the back is pretty much the same as the front, but it's bumped up, or hollow, not flat.    The same with the diamond-shaped medallion in the middle row.   The crescent stamping is FLAT on both sides, this is a beading grid.  At the bottom you'll see a little funky rabbit charm, and next to it a fleur-di-lis charm.   These are a little different; they are struck, or stamped from GUILDING brass.   This brass is very fat, thick sheet.   The impression made is flat on the back and the design is on one side.   You usually see this in charms, or small motifs made for enamelling, when you do see it.  It *almost* has a cast look and feel to it.

Here's a closer look at that big heart:

See what I mean?  The design is exact opposite on back.  In the case of this piece, however, the outside dimensions, or edge are the same.  So, what some designers like to do is BOND TWO TOGETHER, front and back, to make a pendant that is same front and back.  You can easily do that with E-6000 glue and jewelry clamps----and yep!   We sell this heart stamping and the clamps and glue at our website!

Comments

[Diane Simoni]

Hi. I have a question about coloring brass stampings. What kind of paint should I use? Also, do I need to put a sealant on it to make sure the paint won't come off? Thanks in advance for any tips you can send my way. Diane