Vid #176: What a coincidence! I went to sleep last night thinking about stamping words and names into clay pendants.” ~Sue-W
Would you like to make your own word stamp or signature stamp to use with your polymer clay projects? One way to do this is with the Sculpey MoldMaker technique that I taught a few weeks ago in Video-029-3. However, with word images, you need to reverse them in your mold for them to “read” normally when you imprint the word image into your clay. That can get a bit tricky.
Alternatively, you could order a custom rubber stamp or metal stamp made by a large manufacturer, but… it could cost you a fair amount of time and money.
So in this weeks video tutorial lesson, I’ll show you how to do it the Polymer Clay Tutor way. By making your own handmade embossed metal word stamps. They are quick and easy to make… and dirt cheap, since you probably already have the supplies at home!
Cindy, what a coincidence! I went to sleep last night thinking about stamping words and names into clay pendants. I love anything with cursive writing on it and have found so many helpful hints on your site. Thanks for being so thorough in spreading your knowledge. ~Sue-W
I’d like to get a cursive writing stamp, any suggestions where I could get this? I don’t recall seeing anything in Michaels. ~Cheryl-H
On Friday, October 22nd, 2010 at the Polymer Clay Library (Vol-029-3), you will learn how to make your own Embossed Metal Stamps so you can put custom words and signatures on your polymer clay beads, pendants and other polymer clay projects… quickly, easily and inexpensively!
Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends or Teardrop Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.
Supplies & Tools: Video-029-3 Embossed Metal Stamps:
- Embossing Metal or Foil: I use recycled metal vacuum seals from the tops of coffee cans. But you can also use Amaco Embossing Metal Sheets in Light or Medium Weight. We will be using the Amaco metals in future projects as well, so if you buy some now, you will be one step ahead of the game :-)
- Embossing tools: Amaco Embossing Kits often come with a wooden embossing tool or you can buy a seperate set as well. Alternatively, you can use a small ball stylus and old ball point pen with no ink, a manicurist’s orange stick, or even a dull pencil. A pen stylus from your kid’s DS works beautifully as well! ;-))
- Scissors.
- Embossing surface: Any smooth surface which has some give but is still firm, such as a mouse pad with a smooth top, an old magazine, or a stack of papers.
- Weldbond Glue or other strong, flexible, thick white glue that will stick to metal.
The full version of the Vid-029-3 Embossed Metal Stamps video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday October 22th, 2010. But if you would like to see a sneak peek intro clip right now, scroll down the page a bit to the video player below.
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Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Embossed Metal Stamps” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-029 Back Issue Package.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
I really love the way the whole clay community shares knowledge and techniques, but there are so many drawbacks to the freebies on the net. Often the sound is muffled; important info is left out or you just can’t see properly what is done. I’ve watched some videos that fail to show what the final result yields! If a small fee saves time; frustration; AND builds a huge library of accessible information, it’s fulfilling an educational need. Not to mention the community that forms because of this commitment to quality. Cindy, your site is also a wonderful way to connect with many other creative people and offers a great solution to those of us who aren’t able (distance or $$) to attend real live workshops or classes. I think you have such a dedicated following because we sense that dedication in you. ~DJ
Absolutely love, love, love it. You slammed another one right out of the ball park and the bases were loaded. Thank you so much Cindy and of coarse as always Doug’s wonderful filming. The dream team gives us way more than we have paid for once again. I am so thankful for finding the best clay family there is. We have it all here. All the talent, dedication and so much compassion not just for our art but for each other. It just doesn’t get any better than this. I am always so excited the first time I watch your tutes that I have to go back and watch again so I can really understand what you have brought us. It just keeps getting better and better every tute you do. Never a boring moment and always a growing moment. I have grown so much with all I can do with my PC now. When I forget something I just go back to the tute and watch it again picking up something new every time. I still refer to the basics course. Yep the one I didn’t think I would use but am still using many many times. Many Uuuuuuugggggs to everyone. ~Peggy-B
The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Embossed Metal Stamps video tutorial:
- See examples of several Embossed Metal Stamps and projects they were used on.
- Discussion of the types of materials and tools needed for the project.
- Learn a cool tip to for finding free embossing metal in your pantry cupboard.
- And finally, find out how to create and use your Embossed Metal Stamps for an unlimited number of design ideas.
The full version of the “Embossed Metal Stamps” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-029 Back Issue Package.
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I Love it!!!! I think I have the kit to make these. It never crossed my mind to do this.. I cannot wait til Friday. Your way is always an easier way. You Rock!
Really looking forward to this !
Cindy, you are a mind reader! I’ve been trying to figure this out for some time and your idea sounds so obvious :-) Usually is when you see the solution ;-)
Looking forward to Friday!
Cindy IS a mind reader!! I’ve been messing around with trying to make a logo stamp with PC, and nothing’s come out right so far, so this is perfect timing! Once again, I can’t wait til Friday.. Cindy, you just keep getting better and better each week!
This is AWESOME I love embossing and I have everything I need. I bet some of those embossed words would look so cool with the distressed paint finish. I am very excited for every Friday but even more so for this one if that is possible. I don’t gamble but would be willing to bet this will be a super tute with Cindy’s artistic talents and Doug’s filming there is just no doubt. Can’t loose a bet like this one. Uuuuuuggggs to all and see ya FRIDAY Cindy and Doug
AH, it’s another can’t wait for Friday….
You mean it isn’t Friday yet??? This is totally something I would never have dreamed of doing with polymer clay. One problem I have right now is some of my stamps are not cut deeply enough and the edge shows. While I won’t be making anything as fancy as bought ones I look forward to no worries stamping.
Yeah!!! Another thing to do with and for polymer clay. I actually do have some metal to use. So maybe save another trip to Michaels haha ! Hurry up Friday -another great tute ……….
This is a little off topic but I just had to say CONGRATULATIONS to Carolyn F. for being a finalist in the FireMountainGems Gemstone 2010 contest. Imagine my surprise when I checked out the contestants and found her entry. Very Beautiful Carolyn, I thik it deserved a higher placing, but I wasn’t a judge.
Oooh, this looks very cool…what a fantastic idea! It’s always a plus to be able to customize your work…having your own signature stamps & other homemade items allows you to do that…& then some. What a great way to sign your work, too! Love it, love it, Cindy — you continue to amaze! ;D ~Kat
Yay, Carolyn! Must check FMG. One nice thing about their catalog is seeing all the beautiful pieces.
@Ken H: @Koolbraider: Thank you! My ultimate goal is to make the gems in PC and then do the wire working … combining both in one ultimate piece. I need to develop my PC skills a bit more before I will spend sterling or gold filled wire on PC beads or pieces. Right now Lupe is doing some hands-on PC with me and I am sharing wire wrapping with her. If I made PC pieces like hers I would not hesitate to wrap with sterling or gold filled.
Now, for the contest, did you have to send the actual necklace or did you just send pictures?
Thanks everyone! I think you are really going to enjoy the possibilities this simple technique will open up for you. If you can draw/write it, you can stamp it!
@Ken: I just popped over and took a look at Carolyn’s Entry and write up in the Firemountain Gems contest. Isn’t that so awesome! You must be very proud of your friend! Thanks for letting us know about that.
@Carolyn: Congratulations!! How wonderful to be mentioned in such a talented bunch of bead artists. That truly is an honorable mention! Love reading more about you and your journey as a jewelry artist. (And thank you so much for mentioning this blog in your write up. That was a very special thing to do and I really appreciate it.)
Beautiful entry, Carolyn! Can’t wait for this tutorial, Cindy. I have been trying to come up with a technique to stamp my creations! Heading to Michael’s and JoAnn’s later to shop for embossing metal sheets.
@Carolyn: Today I have been reading the posts about your FireMountain Gems contest (great job) and then my Dec. issue of Polymer Cafe comes in the mail and you are in it too! Congratulations on your runner-up status in the Polymer Cafe Winter White Wonderland contest. You made the centerfold no less! Your bracelet and the thought behind it are beautiful.
@ Bette L – Oooooh! Can you buy that mag. in stores, or can you only get it from them?
Polylmer Cafe is available in stores. Don’t know about when it will be on the stands though.
Thanks!!!! I’ll keep an eye out for it. WTG Carolyn.
Is it Friday yet? I don’t always go “oooooh” when I see the week’s tute but I’m pretty excited for this one (and of course will take any excuse to go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby.) May have to put off any shopping until I get back from SAFF (fiber fair this weekend in NC – I happen to be a fiber addict too) but I’m having crafting withdrawal (darn you 17 credit hours! Taking away my clay time!) but I did have a chance to make some ornaments while I was home this weekend.
Wow! I didn’t know … thanks Bette & Ken for cluing me in to my status both on FMG and PolymerCafe. Sure is fun. Ken, with FMG you start with photos as part of an entry packet and then if they have more interest you send in the actual piece. After the final judging they return the piece(s).
Lupe and I went looking today for materials for making this tutorial – nothing at Michael’s or Jo-Ann’s. Will just have to wait and see the tutorial and then figure out what we can use.
@carolyn:
Hi Cindy, Carolyn and all,
congrats to you Carolyn, it makes it all worth while when your art is noticed like that.
I also get the Polymer cafe mag, I have a subscription and get it sent to me in Aus , so will be looking forward to seeing the piece about you Caroline. The Friday tute sounds interesting.
Bye
Elizabeth
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@Carolyn, congratulations your entry is beautiful in Firemountain. Hoping to find Polymer Cafe Magazine at JoAnn’s this weekend. I”ve missed it sometimes so guess I better subscribe. Your work is really lovely.
Thank you, one and all, for your kind words of congratulations. This all has really lifted my spirits. Now I know there are some of you (some way more developed in their talent) who are reluctant to enter pieces in the various contests and challenges. I’d like to say to all of you “Go for it!” You can never win, place or show if you never enter!
When it comes to the PolymerCafe piece, I must thank Cindy for all she has taught me. Just about everything I know about PC comes from her. Thank you, dear Tutor!
@carolyn: Thanks for urging me to submit my mask, Carolyn. So, I am going for it from now on…thanks to you! I agree with you totally…thanks to Cindy, I have learned a lot and it is only because of her and my guild that I continue to grow as an artist. Many thanks, Cindy!
I agree with Kat, this will be great for all kinds of applications – especially when creating a fun, unique way to leave a signature. Great ideas, looking forward to it!
Carolyn, your a star!! ;) I peeked in and saw your amazing piece. Wow, it’s truly inspirational…just love your design!!
@Carolyn – Wow! I just read about your winning work. How exciting! Congratulations, Carolyn, you are very talented. You are an inspiration to us all…
Congrats Carolyn for both Fire Mountain Gems and Polymer Cafe. I haven’t received my copy of PC yet but can hardly wait.
Just watched the video — how fun is that?!! I love that I can make my own signature, logo, words or phrases — anything! And the recycled aspect is cool, too…unfortunately, I threw away the coffee seal a week ago! But I do have some of the Amaco metal, so I’m good to go with materials on this. I love how you always come up with intriguing ways to customize our clay, Cindy. Even if the tute itself isn’t about clay! You put so much care and detail into these videos, too. I really appreciate everything you do…I thank you so much! I’m looking forward to getting creative with this one… ;D
What a great video – and this method is so creative !!
Cindy!!
Excellent tute! I don’t use mouse pads anymore, but I did have an extra thick craft foam sheet that worked just as well.
Something else I just thought of – for those of us who are “artistically challenged”, howzabout taping a computer-printed drawing onto the metal and using a stylus to trace in the design? I’m thinking it would only take one pass on the paper, then you could remove it and clean up the metal.
Thanx for giving us a unique way to create our own stamps!!
Congratulations Carolyn!!! So wonderful to hear of your successes!
Cindy, love this tut. What an excellent way to recycle and create beautiful stamps.
Carolyn,
Congratulations! You are an amazing artist and the honor is well deserved.
Great video Cindy. Surprised? Only at the simplicity. Unlimited use here again letting our imaginations run wild, such freedom. A HUGE “thank you”.
So clever! I am amazed everytime I watch the tutorials b/c I just never would have thought of this stuff. I feel like I haven’t been on here in so long……knee deep in making halloween costumes for the kiddos and getting ready to have my first ever table at a market/fair of sorts…….nervous and excited. Advice is welcome.
Unless any one can tell me otherwise, I don’t think we have wellbond here in New Zealand. Can you suggest an alternative? Would PVA glue work?
Cheers
Sandra
@Sandra: Weldbond reminds me alot of elmers glue. It even smells like it, and I have noticed if it gets wet is softens up. I bought some stuff called amazing Goop. I haven’t tried it yet on this. It is more of a rubbery silacone texture.
@Sandra: You had a question about Weldbond Glue. Cindy did a post on it a while back, and it IS a PVA glue. Cindy called it a “specialty” PVA glue in another post — link at the end of this comment. It holds up to baking temperatures. There’s more information on Weldbond Glue in this article: Craft Glues that work well with polymer clay
oops, forgot to say what a neat idea!!can’t wait to try it out. do you think those tin foil plates would work for this too?
Sandra
I am just overwhelmed by all the kind comments here. Actually many of you do finer work than I do … but I sent mine in. It never hurts to try and your work will never be recognized unless you submit it. I really would urge all of you to consider entering some of your pieces in the various contests. Again, I thank you for all the support and encouragement you have given me.
Carolyn, what a gorgeous necklace, well done you.
Oooh, I just noticed, we need to be careful not to give any part of the tutorials away with our comments…
This isn’t really related to this video, but does anyone know where to get ultradome or another good uv resin (never again for the stinky two part kind) in Europe…. ideally Holland? I’ll order online if I can find someone that ships here for a reasonable price. I just NEED some. I’m a little desperate.
Or if someone has a good idea for a substitute product I may be able to get here I’m open to ideas.
@Ashley: Hi Ashley, you can contact Ultradome, and discuss how to get it in your country (email Terry Morris directly through the website.) Another UV resin is Magic Glos by Lisa Pavelka. It might be more readily available in your country…it’s very popular.
You might also want to give one of the low-odor 2 part resins a try. I’ve heard a lot of good things about ICE Resin…it’s supposed to be less toxic and (almost completely) odor-free. There are probably other good ones to try, as well, but I don’t know which are available or easy to find in your country. You could Google the resin name + the name of your country…and hopefully find shopping close to you. Good luck!
Help: Does anyone know where Ashley can get some UV Resin in Holland or elsewhere in Europe?
Hi guys, I have a question re starting the sanding process. I started with the 320 grit and got scratch marks on the project. Is this normail and will it come off as i go thru the different stages?
Any help would be gladly appreciated.
Yes, those little scratch marks will come out as you continue to sand with finer and finer sand paper. Personally I like the Micro Mesh pads, Here’s a link to the Cindy’s Micromesh preview video in case you haven’t seen it.
This is a great idea, as usual! After I made one witha deep impression , I stamped it on scrap clay, baked that piece, after it cooled, made a stubby snake with another piece of clay, pressed the end on to the baked piece, baked that one,now have a polymer stamp instead of a metal one!Really needed the metal for the ease and detail. Also eliminates the need for WeldBond, which I absolutley LOVE!
Thanks Cindy, the possibilities with this one are endless!
When I tried this technique, I did not have any Weldbond, so I used the Sobo craft and fabric glue that I had. NOT the same as Weldbond. The Sobo was crystaline when dry and not flexible as it is supposed to be. I had to scrape out the Sobo and re-do my stamp using some Weldbond that I bought. My stamps turned our great and I then made some really nice pendants using the “faux dichroic glass” technique. Thanks Cindy for another great tute.
Thank you everyone for your great ideas and feedback on this tutorial! Sounds like you’re putting your own spin on it and really making the technique work well for you.
@Bette L: Yeah, there is nothing quite like that Weldbond. It sure is a fantastic glue to use. It’s inexpensive, super strong, flexible, waterproof and will glue anything to anything… plus it is polymer clay safe. What could be better than that!
gosh you never cease to amaze me. this opens soo many possibilities. thankyou so much. you know sometimes I think oh that tutorial does not sound to my interest and then as I look through my tuts and want to see soemthing and surprised I have not purchased it then I do and WOW everyone of your tuts are fantastic and making your own stamps. great. pix etc. signatures names etc. Wow
Geez thanks Patty, that is so nice of you to say! It is always a good idea to be open minded about tutorials even when you don’t think they are your thing. They often have tips and tricks that can help you, no matter where your personal polymer clay journey is taking you. I see that has happened for you, like it has for many others here as well. Glad you are having fun with the tutes!
Embossed metal stamps
Just would like to say this is a brilliant idea and so simple to make. Thanks Cindy
Rosie
Thank you Rosie! Sometimes the simplest things are the most useful. Thanks for commenting!