Art Rubber Stamping Resource Website

PhotoArt Stamps and Polymer Clay Class

Welcome to class ! Polymer clay is one of my favorite mediums , I had to figure out how to use it with  photoart stamps of course ! This class will cover two ways to incorporate Photoart stamps into your art work . The first is photocopy transfer , and the other is actual stamping .

Supplies you will need for Clay Stamping

• Polymer clay in white , beige , gold metallic 
• ( I like premo or sculpey3 the best)
• Rolling pin or pasta machine ( for conditioning and rolling out the clay evenly)
• Clay blade
• A Sharp craft knife
• Fancy edge craft scissors, shape cutters
• (2) 4 inch by 4 inch or larger plain white ceramic tiles ( as a work and baking space )
• Permanent Black & Brown dye ink ( Ranger Archival , Memories ect )
• Images from the Photo booth sheet
• Colored Pencils , Gel pens  
• Embellishments 
• Future floor wax 

Directions for Stamping in Polymer Clay -

1. Condition and roll out a 4 inch by 6 inch piece of clay , approximately 1/8th of an inch thick . transfer clay to working tile .
2. Ink up one image at a time , take the first stamp and bring it down evenly on the clay , DO Not press very hard , we are not seeking a deep impression , Rather kiss the surface of the clay with the stamp , lightly press all corners and edges .
3. Remove the stamp from the clay by lifting it straight up in the air , without a wobble , or the image will be distorted !  
4. Allow the image to surface dry . 
5. Trim that image away from your work sheet of clay with the blade or shape cutters  , and lift it onto your baking tile , set aside and stamp the next image into the working clay . 
6. Make sure your stamp is not over inked or the image will be lost as , the excess ink will puddle on the clay  . Stamp off onto scrap paper before your clay to check the stamps coverage !
7. Read the package directions and bake your clay accordingly as all manufacturers differ in time and temp ! 
8.  Light colored clay will burn easily , make sure to use an oven thermometer !  
9. When warm you can trim the edges with fancy or regular scissors . Warm from the oven clay of this thickness cuts like a dream ! 
10. When the clay is cool , color and embellish ! 
11. Lightly coat the final piece of clay with the Future floor wax . Use multiple coats for a higher shine , allow to dry in between coats !

  Directions for Photo Copy Transfer

• Make Color or black and white photo copies . (This will not work with ink jet copies .)
• Roll out clay as described above in #1 
• cut out and trim image , leave a small triangle of extra paper at the corner of the copy so that you have a way to pull it up without ruining the transfer ( trust me here lol ) 
• lay copy face down on top of the clay , rub it enough to make sure there are no gaps or wrinkles . 
• burnish back of the copy with a bone folder , or back of a smooth spoon . 
• Allow the clay and the copy  to sit this way for 1 to 3 hours , check by peeling back  the corner of the copy just a bit . If you do not see a clear dark image then wait another few hours .  
• Bake according to package directions, see above #s 7 and 8 . Watch closely so that you do not burn the paper transfer . 
• After the clay has cooled some , peel back the paper transfer , Don't wait until the clay cools completely .The Paper might stick if the clay is not warm , reheat to remove it if that happens ! 
• Color your finished transfers with colored pencils , paints , or gel pens .