Rubberstamps? Polymer Clay?
For several years, I have been taking my designs and making a "skin of sorts" that has enough dimension that can be run through the pasta machine with polymer clay to make an impression. It can be used in any technique that may use a rubber stamp with polymer clay.
This technique requires attention to detail, but each "stamp"can be used over and over again. Sending your images off to have them made into a rubber stamp is easier, but not necessarily inexpensive. You also have more control over the thickness of your lines and can even make mirror images. The finished "stamp" can also be used in your work after you have made all the impressions that you wish. The biggest advantage of making your own is that you do not have extra rubber that can squish into the polymer clay leaving a line or impression along the edges that is unwanted.
Here are a few images so you can get an idea of how I do it.
Make a line drawing and tape it under a thin piece of glass. If glass is thick, the distortion may not provide a detailed stamp that works.
Place extruded thin snakes of polymer clay on the glass to outline the image. I use extruded snakes on all major lines. It is easier to cut the polymer clay snakes at an angle than to make sharp bends. Gently press these snakes of clay to the glass being careful that any cut pieces are butted well.
Fill in the cells with a thin layer of liquid polymer clay. The liquid polymer clay will bond to the solid polymer clay snakes. If too much of the liquid clay is added, the interior lines will not show and a silhouette of the design will be all that is visible when using it as a stamp. For this use, it does not matter what colors of polymer clay that you use. This "stamp" is soft and pliable and the solid polymer will be rubbery or will have give.
After curing on the same glass that you are working on, allow to cool and then peel from the glass. The back side will be very shiny and flat.
Run polymer clay through pasta machine on a #3 or #4 setting. Dust the clay with powder. Dust the top side (with the dimension) of the design with powder.
Place this image face down on the clay. Run through the pasta machine on a #1 or #2 setting. You may have to do two or three different samples to determine what settings work the best for your pasta machine and that allows for a very smooth impression with no ruffling.
That's it. Save some money enjoy the creating process.
polymerclayLabels: clay, liquid polymer clay, polymer, polymer clay, polymerclay, rubber stamps
posted by Jeanne Rhea @ 10/18/2007 05:35:00 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
That's a great idea Jeanne! I've made texture sheets with thin lines of clay on regular clay, but your concept of using the glass and liquid clay is great.
Those are great... Your "stamps" are finished works of art in themselves. Do you ever use them directly?
Libby,
You can do all kinds of designs with this technique---probably the easiest technique that I know to get some small abstract patterns with ease. I even use old extruded snakes and apply to the glass in any pattern I like. I use tiny stamped out designs in a collage look. The important part is to add only enough liquid clay so all the pieces are connected. I'll take time and go through some of my favorite and post some pics later.
Christy,
Thank you.
I have used several of the originals in pieces --mainly 4x4" and 6x6" framed pieces. Most sold right away. I'll see if I can find a few photos and post when I post some more abstract stamps using this technique.
This is such a great idea! Now I know what to do with all my scrap extruded clay. Thanks for this.
The best part of this technique is you can make all kinds of designs easily. In fact, all of those graphic designs that you see in over Dover books are very easy to make something similar without using their designs. If you want to explore it even more, you can use other extruded pieces besides the round snakes to get interesting designs. Be sure and show us any that you make and think are different!
YOU are such a creative genius!I'm glad you shared this with everyone reading your blog. My head is still spinning from spending a couple of hours in your beautiful studio and looking at your incredible artwork. I may never recover!
Kim,
I may never recover from your caning workshop either! Can you believe that I have been making canes just for the fun of it? I must find something to do with these canes... I am wondering if there is a way to use the canes with the inking technique for wall art. I'm sure there is---just got to see it in my dreams.
I am so glad you were able to come by and hopefully you will make it to Raleigh again. I'll be posting some photos of some canes I made inspired by your class. Some people would not recognize the connection, but I am sure you will.
Now I feel like I need to hunt up my other "stamps" with abstract designs. There are dozens and dozens of ways to do them without even following a strict design.
Thanks again for your comments!
This is amazing! so brilliant! thank you!
Iris
What a great way to make a stamp! Nice tutorial - thank you for sharing. (Now where did I put that extruder???)
Janice, Iris,
Thank you! I will be making a post soon about other ways to make a design using small cutters and the liquid clay.
Wonderful idea, Jeanne! Thank you very much for sharing your technique...I am definitely going to try it.
Ronalyn,
Just take your time. It is a process that is not hard as long as one focuses on a line at a time. Let me know how it works for you!
There are so many cool ideas that polymer clay artistscome up with.
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