ArtMetal

Hi Roplisk,
your project could be done either way, but I'd suggest texturing the bar stock first.I think this would be the easiest approach. Then make the band a lil smaller than the finished size(say 12.25) So that after you solder the band you can add the hammer texture to the "joint", which will stretch the band to the finished size (12.5).
let us know how it comes out......we love pix. :)

Bill Roberts
www.CustomDesignMetalArts.com