handmade clay stamps

Coming from a pottery family, I've witnessed all kinds of interesting ways to work with clay. One of my favorite little tricks is using everyday things to create unique textures. You can take this concept even farther and create once of a kind stamps to use in clay projects.

I like to gather random things from around the house- legos, jewelry, buttons, legos, basically anything that makes an imprint will work.

You can use just about any clay, I used Fimo Soft Polymer Clay. I started by rolling my clay into a small cylinder.

Next, I used my everyday things (my favorite was one of Lucy's hair clips) and pressed them into the clay. I used each side of the cylinder so my stamp would have two sides.

I baked my clay stamps according to the directions on the package.

Then they are ready to use! Stamp them into any kind of clay to create interesting texture and imprints 

Check out a few ways that I use stamps in my clay projects:

clay charm   feather stamped clay   clay pinch pots   clay present toppers

colorful clay statement rings

Polymer clay is such a versatile material and one of my favorites for making colorful jewelry. Big bold statement rings are one of my favorites project to create!

Begin by selecting a few different colors of polymer clay.

Next, roll them out.

Using the palm of your hand or a rolling pin (or even a pasta press), flatten the clay until it is stuck/blended together.

Grab another colorful chunk of clay and roll it into a ball. Please excuse my dirty painted hands!

Wrap the stripes of color around the ball and roll in your hand until it is smooth.

Lightly flatten the ball by pinching in between your fingers.

Next, grab something round and press a hole into the clay.

Bake the clay ring in the oven according to the directions.

Once the clay ring has been baked and cooled, I like to add a light coat of polycrylic gloss to it.

The result is colorful bold statement rings!

oven bake clay pinch pots

There are so many different ways to use polymer clay and recently I decided to make some cute stamped pinch pots.

Using Sculpey I kneaded and then rolled out the clay.

Using my own rubber stamps, I stamped into the clay. Lucy helped me with this step and LOVES this process- It is simple yet exciting enough for a toddler to join in!

Next, I rolled the clay into the shape of a little pot and lightly pinched the seam together.

I added a round piece of clay for the bottom and again, lightly pinched the seams together.

I used a knife to add a little bit of texture around the top and bottom.

I baked the little pots in the oven according the directions.

After baking the pots, I got busy adding color. You could leave them white but I wanted to add a little extra color to really bring out the pattern and texture on the surface.

Using acrylic paint, I cover the surface.

While the paint it still wet, I used a damp cloth to wipe the paint away. You are left with a light wash of color and darker pigment in the impression of the design.

At this point you can leave it as is or you can seal it. I like using the same product I use to seal many of my painting projects- Golden Acrylic Polymer Varnish

I think these little pots so cute are perfect for tiny succulents!

oven bake clay feathers

Last year I shared how to make a canvas feather necklace and now that I have my own lovely rubber stamps made from my feather drawings, I decided to create another version of a this necklace using my stamps- this time with oven bake clay.

There are all kinds of different ways to use rubber stamps but I think one of my favorites is with clay.

I rolled out white oven bake clay and then pressed the stamp into the clay to make an imprint. I trimmed the around the feather, poked a hole in the end and baked the feathers in the oven. They are BEAUTIFUL plain and white but I wanted to add a little color to mine.

Using acylic paint, I painted over the top of the clay feather.

While the paint was still wet, I wiped a damp paper towel over the surface to remove the paint, leaving pigment in the grooves of the feather.

I added a few little details with paint.

Last, I added a jump ring and chain.

For more information or to purchase my pretty little feathers stamp collection visit my shop HERE

fashion friday- holiday clay hair clips

Oven bake clay is so easy to use in all kinds of creative projects and recently I had the idea to create bobby pin hair clips that could double as a holiday present topper. I used oven bake clay to create a variety of pretty little embellishments for my bobby pins.

I selected white oven bake clay- I love white accessories in the winter time! I used the clay to create simple little flowers. 

 

I also created a variety of different floral embellishments from clay. 

I baked them in the oven.

Last, I used epoxy glue and glued them to bobby pins.

The result, simple and pretty little hair clips...

that can also be used in your wrapping!