Rings & Things has carried the BeadSmith Micro Engraver for about five years, and can you believe I have never tried it? I always discredited it for not being what I consider a “real” tool. Isn’t this something you would see engraving names on carnival trinket necklaces? But it turns out the Micro Engraver is actually a pretty cool tool. It is fun and easy to use, and the results are surprisingly pleasing.

If you like to draw or doodle, you will instantly love the Micro Engraver. But even if you can’t draw, you can still make pretty things that look great–just follow my step-by-step instructions.

You will need these tools and supplies:

Micro Engraver by the BeadSmith®.

The Micro Engraver is ideal for engraving metal, glass, wood, ceramics, and more! It works great on metals used in jewelry making, such as copper, brass, and sterling silver. It’s compact pen-style design with comfortable contoured grip makes for easy handling and use. The engraver comes with two sizes of round diamond-tipped bits and an Allen key for changing the tips. Just unscrew the end cap of the engraver to add two AAA batteries (not included). You are ready for action.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the installation of the engraving tip. For this project, I selected the thin engraving tip.

Your choice of Vintaj blanks with natural patina (I used item #88-102-23-0). The darkened metal really makes the engraved design “pop”!

Vintaj blanks are made from natural brass that is 85% copper and 15% zinc. The blanks are both nickel-free and lead-free compliant. The antiqued-brass finish is not a plating; it is the result of a multi-step, eco-friendly, by-hand process.

These polishing tools:

• #69-118 Rubber Bench Block, 4x4x1″
• #63-537 EURO TOOL Polishing Cloth, Brilliant
• #63-528 EURO TOOL Polishing Pads, Ultra, 2×2″

And rubber stamping supplies:

• #86-160-001 StazOn Ink Pad
• rubber stamps from craft store (stamps with a simple line drawing work best)
• low-tack masking tape
• isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (for ink cleanup)
• paper towel (for ink cleanup)

Place a piece of scrap paper on your rubber block; this will protect the surface from ink during the rubber stamping step. I used a paper scrap with lines to aid in proper positioning of the stamped design.

Press the rubber stamp on the ink pad a few times. Visually check the stamp to make sure the ink evenly coats the raised rubber design.

While the ink is fresh on the stamp, firmly press the stamp on the metal blank, using the lines on the paper as placement guides. Then carefully raise the stamp straight up so you don’t smear the inked design.

The design is perfectly stamped and positioned on the metal blank.

Helpful Hint: If the inked design isn’t perfect, use a paper towel with isopropyl alcohol to remove the ink and try again.

Use low-tack masking tape to secure the brass blank to the rubber block (but don’t cover any of the inked design). The tape will keep the brass blank from moving during the engraving process.

First, find a comfortable grip. The engraver is similar to a fat pen, but with vibration. I found that bracing my finger against the work surface helped with control.

Now to the engraving! Work slowly, tracing over the ink-stamped (or drawn) pattern. For me, making multiple strokes to create a bolder line worked best.

Try to stay consistent, from one section to the next, with your engraving technique.

As you work, the blank will become coated with metallic dust particles, which make the stamped line a little hazy to see.

Use a soft polishing cloth to remove the metal dust particles from the engraved blank.

Evaluate your engraved design and use the engraver to touch up spots as needed.

Again, use a soft polishing cloth to remove the metal dust particles.

There may be visible ink remaining on the engraved blank. Dip a paper towel in isopropyl alcohol, then gently wipe the blank to remove the ink.

Use a EuroTool 2×2″ Ultra polishing pad to add a polished finish to the engraved blank. The polishing pads are my favorite polishing tool and a Rings & Things staff choice!

Ultra Polishing Pad – Try Me!

The finished engraved pendant blank, ready to inspire your next jewelry-making project.

~***~

The Same Pendant Finished Two Ways

“Little Sprout” Necklace by Rings & Things designer Mollie Valente. The deep coloring of the antiqued-brass ball chain and the brightly-golden tone of polished raw-brass large-hole beads complement the engraved natural-brass pendant perfectly.

“Into the Autumn” Necklace by Rings & Things designer Mollie Valente. The hand-dyed silk ribbon and sparkling Swarovski crystal beads are a colorful accent for the engraved natural-brass pendant.

Look for these and other free jewelry project instructions in the Rings & Things Jewelry Design Gallery.

Make things,

Mollie

www.rings-things.com