Inlay Rubber Stamp Designs in Polymer Clay

I really like the idea of embedding intricate designs in polymer clay--like an inlay. However, I'm not that artistic nor do I want to spend the kind of time such an attempt might require. So I've begun to use rubber stamps to give me that look with very little effort. Here is how I make inlay designs using rubber stamps.

I also have this project as a tutorial on my blog.

Step 1: The Stuff

You need:
Polymer clay - two colors; one for the background, one for the inlay
Pasta roller or clay roller
Rubber Stamp*
Corn Starch
Dry paint brush
Exacto knife and/or long flexible blade
Waterproof sandpaper

*Not all rubber stamps are going to give a good inlay image and, the inlay design may not be as detailed as the stamped image. Test your image on some scrap clay and look carefully at the shapes in the smooth top surface of your clay as that will be the design of the inlaynot the deeply set detailed design that normally appears when it is used as a stamp.

Comments

[Kinsei01]

Wow Awesome. I have just got back in to sculpting to make some Rune Stones for a D&D game. This is a pretty cool and easy way to get some intricate, Thanks.
Fav'd!

[dakellymon]

great idea, thanks for sharing.

[Winksartist]

Could this be used with silverclay do you think? The silverclay could be either the base or the inlay. What would happen to the polumer clay if fired ti a high temperature with a soldering iron?

[DebF54]

I think you would have to use the PMC for the base and the polymer for the inlay. The heat from baking the polymer isn't high enough to hurt the PMC I don't think but firing the PMC would be way too hot for the polymer.

[starshipminivan]

I just posted a response to this when I remembered the most gorgeous silver jewelry with colored enamel inlay.  This would be a really neat thing with a PMC base, stamped, baked, and then the center filled with enamel.  I've never worked with it myself so I can give no response about the technique.  The effect, however, is beautiful: Argentum Aurum

[starshipminivan]

Even with polymer in PMC, which certainly won't be destroyed at moderate oven temperatures, I don't think the polymer would stick to the PMC--at least not for long.  It's a very thin layer and is likely to flake away. 

It might work if some finishing material were applied after baking to seal in the inlay but I'm not sure what could be used for this purpose, not having worked with PMC.

[starshipminivan]

My experience is that polymer clay fired too high will burn, getting black and sticky. I am certain it could not survive a soldering iron. I'll bet this technique could be adapted using PMC products. However, I am not familiar enough with PMC to make any specific recommendations.

[Dream Dragon]

Are you aware that this is very like a Medieval Technique?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encaustic_tile

and I LOVE those Fairy Doors too.

[starshipminivan]

I had no idea!  How neat!  My tastes tend toward the modern medieval persuasion.   It would be very cool to mimic encaustic tile work in some of my stuff.  Maybe I should carve stamps to make more medieval looking panels.  Thanks so much for the info and article!

[lunatic.gnome]

Beautiful! Simple and versatile, I like it.

[KedaDibandion]

I've only worked with polymer clay a little, so this might be a stupid question... Are there any special precautions you need to take when re-baking so that you don't burn the background clay?

[starshipminivan]

You can re-bake items without hurting them as long as they aren't baked at too high a temperature. In fact, I re-bake things repeatedly, adding layers as I go. It's often easier to add nicer details if the base level is solid. Usually, I use some liquid polymer clay between the baked and unbaked portions for a stronger bond. In this case, I don't do that because I am sealing the top (and because it would be very difficult to add the inlay--it likes to slide around on the liquid clay.) I hope this helps! I'm not that experienced with polymer clay and am learning all of the time. If someone who knows more about polymer clay than me has more to say about re-baking, please comment.

[CherylTX]

Fairy doors! Those are so cool!

[Lori Ell]

your doors are too cute. tfs

[sgsidekick]

Terrific idea! Now I must go search out my rubber stamp collection and see if I have any I can use for this!

[lotusduck]

If you have a stamp with a deep enough relief, you can roll thin layers of your background and your contrast color together, then press the stamp into that, and the colors will mix together to varying degrees.

[scoochmaroo]

What did you use the finished product for?

[starshipminivan]

I'm making fairy doors with them. http://www.flickr.com/photos/36184756@N05/sets/72157615038429077/ I think I'll also make Christmas ornaments with the bigger ones. For the smaller ones: refrigerator magnets, pins, and necklaces.

[ChrysN]

Fairy doors are so cute! I like what you've done, great job!

[Lithium Rain]

What a great idea!