14 Gauge Soft Temper Pure Aluminum is Here!!!

 Our 14 Gauge Soft Temper Pure Aluminum has finally arrived!!! You should start seeing blanks listed next week. And we are still accepting Pre-Orders if you don't want to miss out on getting exactly what you need.

Thanks for your patience everyone!!!

Lizz

Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Ear in the Envelope Inc

www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal.com

14 Gauge Soft Temper Aluminum 1100.0 Delayed Again until October 15th.

Our 14 Gauge Soft Temper Pure Aluminum 1100.0 has been delayed again. 

Our new scheduled delivery date is October 15th. I'm so sorry for the delay. 

We have been waiting for this order of metal since July 17th.

Much of this is due to a worldwide aluminum shortage. The coup in Guinea (a West African nation with the world's largest reserves of bauxite, the element needed to make aluminum) has added to the strain on the market which is causing shortages and increasing prices.

We will keep you posted as we get updates on our potential aluminum delivery. 

Thanks! 

Lizz at Gottagettadeal / Ear in the Envelope Inc.

Changes to our 1100.0 Soft Temper Pure Aluminum.

 YIKES... the metal world is a mess right now. Prices are going up and metal is getting harder to find. We are getting low on our 1100.0 PURE SOFT Aluminum and we just found out from our supplier that there is none available until mid September. Luckily we have the option of going with 1100-H14 which is still PURE Aluminum, but the metal is just a bit stiffer. We will be switching all of our blanks to this option as our Soft Temper supply runs out in the next week or so. Every listing will be updated so you know what Temper (Soft or Hard) you are getting. Thanks for your patience.

Check our our ETSY shop at: www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

Tie Clip Money Clip Bender Instructions

I'm always looking for easier ways to make things. This new tool is a Tie Clip Bender, but can also be used to form Money Clips.

There are similar tools, but this tool has an open channel and will allow multiple widths of blanks to be formed into a Tie Clip. Check out this video on how to use our bender. * Patent Pending.

You can find this tool in our ETSY Shop Gottagettadeal: https://www.etsy.com/listing/814351444/tie-clip-or-money-clip-bender

Enjoy creating!
Lizz

Ear in the Envelope Inc / Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Gottagettadeal is Running a Smaller Shop During Covid-19

Because of the current Covid-19 Virus Shelter at Home for Illinois, we are running a much smaller shop that I can manage from home. Please stay safe during this time.

Best wishes,
Ear in the Envelope as Gottagettadeal on ETSY TEAM
Lizz, Jordan, Zachary, Chris and Trevor

Contrast with Car Touch-Up Paint in Stamped Jewelry

Did you know that you can use Car Touch-Up Paint to create contrast in your metal stamped or engraved jewelry?

Check out this video with instructions on how to apply the Touch-Up Paint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0x9mbWQ59M&feature=youtu.be

Check out our shop gottagettadeal on ETSY to find great metal stamping blanks and supplies.

www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

Like us on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gottagettablank

Follow us on Instagram: earintheenvelope

Thanks,
Lizz Barnes

Torch Time with Lizz Barnes: Learn to Soften Metal

This is a great video teaching you how to soften metal with a butane torch!

Watch and learn! :D

Visit our ETSY shop for Supplies
at www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

Enjoy creating!
Lizz 

Best Posts at www.foodsafemetal.com

Best Posts at www.foodsafemetal.com

HELPFUL LINKS ON OUR BLOG 

www.foodsafemetal.com

******************************************************************************

**WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED TO GET STARTED METAL STAMPING

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2011/08/metal-stamping-supply-list-what-do-i.html

INSTRUCTIONS FOR METAL STAMPING

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2012/11/instructions-for-metal-stamping.html

SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND METAL STAMPING

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2015/08/safety-equipment-and-metal-stamping.html

HOW TO SIZE A CUFF

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2013/04/sizing-your-cuff.html

RING SIZING INFORMATION

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2014/08/ring-sizing-information.html

**Video: HOW TO USE A WRAP 'N TAP (Ring Bending Tool)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BMoBtN7F_U

HOW TO MAKE A WRAP SPIRAL RING

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2014/03/wrap-rings-how-to-make.html

**Video: HOW TO USE A BRACELET BENDER and Other Tools to Bend a Cuff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPjFCqrxXYk 

TWO SIDED METAL STAMPING / STAMPING ON TWO SIDES

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2014/07/metal-stamping-on-two-sides.html

HOW TO CREATE CONTRAST IN YOUR ALUMINUM STAMPED PROJECTS

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2011/07/easy-and-permanent-color-in-aluminum.html

VIDEO - CREATE CONTRAST IN YOUR METAL STAMPED JEWELRY

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2015/03/create-contrast-in-metal-stamped-jewelry.html

Setting Rapid Rivets in a Leather Cuff with an ID Tag

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2014/09/setting-rapid-rivets-in-leather-cuffs.html

**Video: HOW TO ATTACH RIVETS AND EYELETS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i5SXJDUrFg&feature=channel_video_title

HOW TO MAKE A WRAP RING

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2014/03/wrap-rings-how-to-make.html

HOW TO BEND A TIE BAR OR MONEY CLIP

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2012/05/how-to-bend-tie-bar-or-money-clip.html

MONEY CLIP DETAILS - CREATING THE SNAP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TELM1-wnwiY&feature=youtu.be

ROLLING MILL - TEXTURE WITH PAPER?

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2012/05/texture-with-paper.html

TUMBLING YOUR OWN ALUMINUM BLANKS

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2012/03/its-time-to-get-serious-about-tumbling.html

TUMBLER MAINTENANCE

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2012/10/tumbler-maintenance-clean-your-shot-and.html

HOW TO PUNCH HOLES IN YOUR HEART CHARMS VIDEO

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2013/01/how-to-punch-holes-in-your-heart-charms.html

GILDER’S PASTE AND TEXTURE

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2013/07/gilders-paste-and-texture.html

STAMPING ON BOTH SIDES

http://www.foodsafemetal.com/2014/07/metal-stamping-on-two-sides.html

12 Gauge vs 14 Gauge Aluminum

Many new to making jewelry are quickly confused by GAUGE.  Gauge is the thickness of the metal.

12 Gauge and 14 Gauge are the most commonly sold metal thicknesses at Ear in the Envelope Inc.(Gottagettadeal on ETSY).

12 Gauge is thicker than 14 Gauge.  

12 Gauge is .080"

14 Gauge is .063"

12 Gauge is my favorite thickness.  I like the chunky look of the 12 Gauge and it is a bit stiffer, so it holds its shape better.  But 14 Gauge will definitely do the job for inexpensive projects.

Here's a gauge chart that will help you when you are making plans on which metal thickness you should use.  Notice that Aluminum is measured a bit differently than other metals.

Hope this helps,

Lizz

Like us on Ear in the Envelope FACEBOOK

Purchase blanks at our ETSY Shop - Gottagettadeal

Contact us at 820adams@gmail.com

5 Star Rating at Gottagettadeal on ETSY for 1 Pound RAW Copper or Brass Scrap

1 Pound RAW Copper or Brass Scrap - 18 Gauge Mostly Small Cuts some pieces with Protective PVC - Made in USA

5 STAR RATING from Dawn at Gottagettadeal on ETSY Love the quality! Super helpful and great pricing! And this grab bag of "scrap" is far from that. It's a fantastic bag of goodies! I squeal with delight every time I go digging thru it. ❤️ Also the customer service is beyond amazing. Love this store!

$15.00

Thanks Dawn!

Get Creative at Gottagettadeal!

LIzz Barnes

Ear in the Envelope Inc

309-550-3518

820adams@gmail.com

Like us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/gottagettablank

Numberall and Stainless Steel Metal Stamping Blanks at Gottagettadeal on ETSY

A couple of years ago I found a cool tool on Ebay called a Numberall.  

It's a tool used to stamp metal tags, and tools for industrial shops.

I was looking for a tool that I could use for metal stamping.  

My goal was to find something that was faster, easier on your body

 (no hammering), and cleaner stamping than handstamping.

Well, this turned out to be the perfect tool.  

It doesn't work well on Aluminum 

because it leave little marks on soft metal.  

But it is perfect for stainless, brass, copper and sterling.

I was lucky, I found a used Numberall on Ebay for $225.  

There are new Numerall's available.  

If you stamp constantly, this may be worth the cost of a new tool.

The Numerall that I have has 27 spaces, 

so I have to plan on exactly how long my phrase will be. 

 

I've also added marker lines on the exact spot 

of the stamping area, so I can line up the stamping blank.  

'

I use masking tape to hold the blank in place while stamping the letters.

There is a wheel with letters and a red knob.  Turn the red knob to find the letter you need.

Press the handle down and the tool will lower and stamp the letter you chose.  

As you release the lever, the plate will move one letter space.  

This tool reminds me of the older twist label makers.

Here's an example of a stamped stainless steel cuff blank.

To bend the cuff use a bracelet bender to get the curve.  Because the cuff is so stiff, you'll have to hold your thumb firmly at the base of the cuff as you are curving the piece around the tool.

You'll notice that the ends flair a bit.  

At this point use the bracelet making pliers to curve the ends.  

I use the smallest barrel.

Final Cuff

You can get the supplies for this project at at our ETSY shop 

Gottagettadeal

Surgical Steel Cuffs

https://www.etsy.com/listing/260788615/10-surgical-steel-polished-14-x-6-18?ref=shop_home_listings

Bracelet Bender

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112899243/bracelet-bender-in-stock-made-in-usa?ref=shop_home_listings

Bracelet Pier

https://www.etsy.com/listing/160103527/bracelet-making-pliers-by?ref=shop_home_listings

Enjoy creating!

Lizz Barnes

Ear in the Envelope Inc on Facebook

Gottagettadeal on ETSY

in the warehouse district of Peoria, IL

820 SW Adams Street, Peoria, IL 61602

820adams@gmail.com

Metal Stamping Blanks and Metal Stamping Tools

New 1/8" Sterling Wrap Ring Blank

Check out our 1/8" Sterling Wrap Ring Blank for Metal Stamping.

h

https://www.etsy.com/listing/271424412/1-polished-18-sterling-925-wrap-or-twist?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=1%252F8%2Bsterling

Enjoy creating!!!

Lizz Barnes

Ear in the Envelope Inc

Find us on ETSY - www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

1100 Food Safe Aluminum is Commercially PURE.

1100 aluminium alloy is an aluminium-based alloy in the "commercially pure" wrought family (1000 or 1xxx series). With a minimum of 99.0% aluminum, it is the most heavily alloyed of the 1000 series. It is also the mechanically strongest alloy in the series, and is the only 1000-series alloy commonly used in rivets. At the same time, it keeps the benefits of being relatively lightly alloyed (compared to other series), such as high electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and workability. It can be strengthened by cold working, but not by heat treatment.^[1]

Alternate designations include Al99.0Cu and A91100. 1100 and its various tempers are covered by the ISO standard 6361 and the ASTM standards B209, B210, B211, B221, B483, B491, and B547.^[2]

Applications

• Chemical storage
• Processing Equipment
• ****Kitchen Utensils
• General sheet metal work
• And High Quality Jewelry Supplies

Thought you'd like to know how amazing this metal is!!!!

Lizz Barnes

Ear in the Envelope Inc

Find out products on ETSY at www.ETSY.com/shop/gottagettadeal

Safety Equipment and Metal Stamping Jewelry

 Safety Equipment and Metal Stamping Jewelry, what? why?

Passions, like metal stamping, may ebb and flow, 

but your body will be with you for your entire journey in this life.  

Taking care of it has to be a PRIORITY!

Here's a list of some helpful tips

1 - Safety Glasses - Always protect your eyes.  Jewelry making is close detail work, wearing a shatterproof pair of magnifying glasses is a simple and safe addition.

2 - Work Gloves - A thin pair of grippy gloves will save your hands.

3 - Ear Protection - You may not have thought of this one.  But constant hammering will eventually harm your hearing.  Protect it!

4 - Dust Mask - If you sand, it is best to sand under a trickle of running water.  But.... if you can't, you will want to protect your lungs from floating metal dust.

5 - Rubber Block - Many people don't realize that a RUBBER block under your METAL block deadens the sound of hammering, and relieves the stress on your joints when you hammer.  Be good to yourself add a Rubber Block to your metal stamping routine.

6 - Lighter Hammers or Brass Hammers - Constant hammering will eventually take a toll on your wrist, elbow and shoulder.  An 8 oz hammer has plenty of force for stamping.  Bigger is not better in this situation.
Brass hammers are softer metal than steel and will reduce the stress on your body.  Brass hammers will also reduce the stress on your stamps.

Remember, you've only got one body.  So take care of it!

Happy Stamping!

Lizz Barnes

Ear in the Envelope Inc

Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Create Contrast in Metal Stamped Jewelry

Check out this new video showing you how to CREATE CONTRAST

in your Metal Stamped Jewelry.

Hope this helps!

Enjoy Creating!

Lizz Barnes

Ear in the Envelope Inc

Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Stock up on Jewelry Making Supplies at Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Stock up on Jewelry Making Supplies at Gottagettadeal on ETSY

https://www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

New Items

Stainless Steel Blanks

Food Safe Metal in Anodized Colors

Vintage Rose

Vintage Blue

Spring Green

Mustard Gold

Contact us for custom orders through ETSY Convos

More Copper and Brass Blanks

And our favorite Food Safe Aluminum Blanks now with Texture

Enjoy Creating!

Lizz Barnes

Ear in the Envelope Inc

Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Rolling Mill Texture Embossing Plate

Ear in the Envelope Inc now carries a variety of Rolling Mill Texture Embossing Plates.

You can find these Rolling Mill Texture Embossing Plates in our Etsy shop at: 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

A Rolling Mill is a GREAT jewelry making tool.

A Rolling Mill combined with a Rolling Mill plate can create amazing texture patterns in your metal jewelry.

A Rolling Mill is a heavy manual machine with two hardened steel rollers, a tension adjustment and a crank that moves the metal and a texture plate through the rollers.  The pressure created by the rolling motion presses the design from the Rolling mill plate into the metal.  Adjusting to a tighter tension will create a deeper impression.

Durston is my favorite brand of Rolling Mill.  Their quality is amazing and they accept the thicker Rolling Mill Texture Embossing Plates.

Here’s a link to the Rolling Mill we use at Ear in the  Envelope Inc:

http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Durston-130mm-Flat-Rolling-Mill/113515?Pos=12

Rolling Mill Texture Embossing Plates - are placed on a piece of dead soft metal and rolled through the rolling mill which creates a beautiful impressions in the metal.

Until now there were a limited number of designs available.  I don’t know about you, but I need variety.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/217730179/celtic-rolling-mill-texture-embossing?

HERE's a Video on How to Line Up Your Blanks on the Celtic Rolling Mill Plate

http://youtu.be/hbNFBZURFQU

So we took on the challenge of creating a good variety of Rolling Mill plates for our customers.  A group of fantastic artists have been working to create some amazing designs.  We will also accept custom requests for rolling mill texture embossing plates.

These plates measure 3” x 6” with a thickness of just about 1/16” (actual .053”).

***WARNING - Our Rolling Mill plates will NOT work on the Eurotool Rolling Mill.  The rollers will not extend far enough to for the thickness of our stainless plates.  

I recommend using a Durston Rolling Mill.  Make sure that your rolling mill can accept a width of 3”.

Our current list of designs are:

- Celtic Knots 

- Puzzle

- Wavey Leaves

- Van Gogh Swirls

*****PLEASE let us know what designs you would like?

Enjoy creating,

Liz :-)

Gottagettadeal

www.foodsafemetal.com

Ear in the Envelope Inc.

Like us on FACEBOOK

Follow our Blog for Updates on New Techniques and Tools

***************************************

These are a few of the most helpful links on my blog:

**WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED TO GET STARTED METAL STAMPING

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2011/08/metal-stamping-supply-list-what-do-i.html

INSTRUCTIONS FOR METAL STAMPING

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2012/11/instructions-for-metal-stamping.html

HOW TO SIZE A CUFF

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2013/04/sizing-your-cuff.html

RING SIZING INFORMATION

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2014/08/ring-sizing-information.html

**Video: HOW TO USE A WRAP 'N TAP (Ring Bending Tool)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BMoBtN7F_U

**Video: HOW TO USE A BRACELET BENDER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPjFCqrxXYk 

TWO SIDE METAL STAMPING

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2014/07/metal-stamping-on-two-sides.html

HOW TO CREATE CONTRAST IN YOUR ALUMINUM STAMPED PROJECTS

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2011/07/easy-and-permanent-color-in-aluminum.html

**Video: HOW TO ATTACH RIVETS AND EYELETS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i5SXJDUrFg&feature=channel_video_title

HOW TO MAKE A WRAP RING

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2014/03/wrap-rings-how-to-make.html

HOW TO BEND A TIE BAR OR MONEY CLIP

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-to-bend-tie-bar-or-money-clip.html

MONEY CLIP DETAILS - CREATING THE SNAP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TELM1-wnwiY&feature=youtu.be

HOW TO CREATE TEXTURE WITH A ROLLING MILL

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2012/05/texture-with-paper.html

TUMBLING YOUR OWN ALUMINUM BLANKS

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-time-to-get-serious-about-tumbling.html

HOW TO PUNCH HOLES IN YOUR HEART CHARMS VIDEO

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-punch-holes-in-your-heart-charms.html

Our TEAM at Ear in the Envelope Inc

Ear in the Envelope is the name of our business.

Gottagettadeal is the name of our ETSY shop.

www.foodsafemetal is our blog

Watch this great video about our business and our team.

It takes an amazing TEAM of people to cut, corner and polish blanks for our customers.  

Each employee is hard working, dedicated and has an eye for detail.

We currently have 6 employees:

Lizz Barnes – Owner and Artist

Clint Kehlert – Manager, Artist and Musician

Zachary Leachman – Studio Assistant, Tumbling Manager, Artist and Musician

Jordan Delgadillo – Metal Cutting, Refunds, Artist

Chris Smith – Studio Assistant, Musician

Kavante Barnett – Studio Assistant and People Care

******Order your metal stamping blanks and supplies****** 

from our ETSY shop gottagettadeal

https://www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

  

Thanks for your business!  

Enjoy being CREATIVE!!!!

Lizz and the TEAM

Ear in the Envelope Inc

Metal Stamping Supplies Blanks and Tools

Check out our ETSY shop gottagettadeal

https://www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

Food Safe Aluminum Stamping Blanks, Sterling Metal Stamping Blanks, Brass Metal Stamping Blanks, Copper Metal Stamping Blanks, Metal Stamping Tools, Polishing Cloths

**********Proud to Carry Food Safe Metal - Safe for Your Skin!!!!****************

Setting Rapid Rivets in Leather Cuffs

Setting Rivets in Leather can be a challenge.  

But with a few tips you can succeed!

You'll need a Leather Cuff and an ID Tag with 2 holes.

The leather cuff I am using is 1/8" thick and the ID Tag is .063" thick.

Step One:  Flip the cuff over so you can make marks on the back.

Find the center of the leather cuff.

Step 2:  Center the Blank on the back of the leather cuff.

Step 3: Use a pen to mark the location of the holes.

Step 4: Use the smallest hole on a leather punch.  

Punch holes in the marked locations.

Step 5: Flip the cuff over to the front.  

Place the blank in the correct position making sure to line up the holes.

Place the post half of the Rapid Rivets through the hole.

***I use Mini Rapid Rivets for this project because the holes 

on the oval tag are about 1.5mm.  Because this is just barely long enough 

for the thickness of the metal, you will not be able to use a setter 

or the regular recommended process.

Step 6: Flip the cuff over and attache the rivet caps.  

Hammer the cap until you are sure that the two pieces are attached.

Make sure to use a hard steel hammer.

Step 7: At this time you can flip your cuff and over so the ID tag shows.

Use the large curved end of a chasing hammer to smooth the shape

of your rivet.  

****You will notice that the rivet will be flat or

may dome inward.  The is because we are not able to use the domed setter.

Since the rivet we are using is so short, we're trying to

squeeze every but of length out of the post.

******You will notice that your blank is very flat.  

You can add a cure to the ID tag by using a curving block.

Step 8:  Flip the bracelet face down into the curve of the block.

Place the block on top of the cuff and hammer.

Double check to make sure that your rivets are still secure.

Voila!!!!  You have a beautiful ID Cuff!!!

All of these supplies are available in our ETSY Shop

gottagettadeal

click above to go to our shop

Enjoy creating!

Lizz Barnes 

Ear in the Envelope Inc