Rubber Stamping on Epoxy Clay with Colorized Resin Tutorial + Video

What You Will Learn:
Rubber Stamping on Epoxy Clay with Colorized Resin:

This technique has a couple steps, but the end results are very much worth it. This is the only class, of this current Buy & Try Series that includes Epoxy Clay. I just had to throw the medium of Epoxy Clay into the mix because it is so fun to create with!

In this class you will learn:

The pros and cons of Epoxy Clay
How to rubber stamp on Epoxy Clay
How to mix resin
How to colorize resin

Supplies Needed:

Nunn Design Supplies:

Buy & Try Rubber Stamping on Epoxy Clay with Colorized Resin
Epoxy Clay-Epoxy Clay White
Nunn Design Patera Bracelet Large Circle
Rubber Stamps
Ink
Nunn Design 2-Part Resin
Castin’ Craft Colorants Yellow and Blue

Other Supplies: 

Q-tip
Rubbing Alcohol
Wet wipes
Toothpicks
Business Cards

Tools:

Needle Nose Pliers

Watch Quick 1 Minute Tutorial Video!

Learn How:

The Rubber Stamping on Epoxy Clay with Colorized Resin can be done in any of the Nunn Design Bezels, but I included this Patera Bracelet. You can take the links on the bracelet apart and utilize any of the bezel in a variety of different ways. It is a great finding for learning this technique. Patera Bracelets are made from stamped brass and plated copper, 24k gold and .999 fine silver. All of the other supplies needed for this technique are also available in this Buy & Try.

Add Epoxy Clay into Bezel

Step 1:
For this project, I find it easiest to unlink the Patera Bracelet. It makes it easier for me to move the parts and pieces around and not risk damaging the piece next to it. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to open the links and disassemble the Patera Bracelet. Set the links aside to reattach in the final step.

Step 2:
The Nunn Design Bezels are oxidized to provide the antiqued look to the precious metal plating. The oxidization, when it comes into contact with the resin, could change the color of the resin. To avoid this, clean the bezel thoroughly prior to application of the resin. Get the tip of a Q-Tip wet with rubbing alcohol and clean away any of the blackened oxidization, especially from the inside of the bezel.

Step 3:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the handling and mixing of the Epoxy Clay. For mixing the Epoxy Clay, it is best to wear gloves. Pinch off two equal sized balls, approximately the size of a large blueberry of Part A and Part B.

Blend the clay together until it s no longer marbled and is uniform in color. You have approximately 90-120 minutes of working time before the clay starts to harden, so take your time. Once the clay is thoroughly mixed, remove your gloves to make it easier to work with the clay. This should be enough clay for all 5 of the bezels.

Step 4:
Pinch off a small ball the size of a small pea and roll the mixed Epoxy Clay thoroughly between your palms until it forms a smooth round ball.

Tip: I rolled out all 5 of the clay balls at the same time once I had determined the amount of clay I would need to fill the bezels. This helped create a uniformed consistent look.

Press the ball into your bezel and create a smooth even surface by patting down the clay with your fingers. You will want to have your clay flush even to the edge of the bezel. If you put too much clay in the bezel, the 2-part resin when applied will overflow and you will have clean up to do. If you do have too much clay, pinch off your excess and pat down your Epoxy Clay until the clay is even with the rim and continue to pat until you have a smooth surface.

Step 5:
If you have any fibers or “junk” stuck in your clay, use a toothpick to remove it. Pat down the surface of the clay with your fingertips until it is smooth again.

Step 6:
Using a wet-wipe, clean up any excess Epoxy Clay that might have been left on the jewelry finding. The Epoxy Clay hardens like cement, so cleaning it up now and being tidy as you go makes the process easier and the results so much nicer.

Apply the Rubber Stamp

Step 7:
Ensure that your inkpad is nicely inked so that you have even coverage on your rubber stamp. I like to test my impression by stamping onto a sheet of white paper prior to actually stamping on the Epoxy Clay.

Once you are all inked up, place your rubber stamp upright over your epoxy filled bezel. Gently press the stamp down into the clay, creating a stamped image.

Step 8:
If you don’t like how the rubber stamp image looks, you can wipe it off with a wet-wipe and rubber stamp again.

TIP: It is always a good idea to remove excess ink and any Epoxy Clay that might of gotten in the crevices of the rubber stamp prior to storing them.

Step 9:
I tend to work in a small area (typically my kitchen table), so I like to work on a surface that projects can be easily moved around and not disturbed. Place some business cards or some heavy card stock onto your work surface, making it easy to move the bezels without getting any resin on your fingers. You might also want to cover your business card with packing tape. If the resin does overflow and seep under the bezel, the resin will get stuck to the card stock on the backside of the bezel. The resin and paper is easy enough to remove, but an extra step that can be avoided if you have a super glossy surface that won’t stick to the resin.

Step 10:
Read the resin instructions for safety concerns regarding the Nunn Design Resin.

When I work with resin, I always:

Place a large plastic bag over my work surface and tape it down.
I make sure I have ventilation in my workroom.
I wear gloves.
I wear glasses (readers because I can’t see anymore. Plus it protects my eyes!).
I have a pile of wet wipes handy.
This is a great blog post that covers 20 Habits for Successfully Using Nunn Design 2-Part Epoxy Resin. Even if you are a seasoned resin mixer, this might be worth a read.
You can also watch this great video on How to Mix Nunn Design Resin!

Step 11:
Place one cup (included in the Nunn Design Resin Kit) onto your table.

For curing purposes, it is very important that the resin be an exact 1 to 1 ratio of Part A and Part B. I suggest getting your eyes level with the resin so you can see the lines on the measuring cup.

Pour Part A of your resin kit up to the ½ fluid ounce mark on your measuring cup.

Pour Part B of your resin kit into the same cup until it is filled to the 1 fluid ounce mark. It is important to pour Part A first and then Part B. It is some chemical thing about the part A being heavier or something.

Step 12:

Set your timer for 2 minutes. Using the stir stick from your kit (a popsicle stick or coffee stir stick will work great too), slowly and carefully stir your resin scraping the sides as you stir. Stir for a minimum of 2 minutes. If your resin is still cloudy continue to mix until clear.

After mixing is complete and your resin is clear, scrape both sides of your stir stick on the edge of your resin filled cup.

Step 13:
To add in the Castin’ Crafts Opaque Pigments to create the turquoise color, pour 1 tsp. of the mixed resin into another mixing cup. I like to mix smaller size batches, allowing me to do multiple colors.

Step 14:
Squeeze a little of the Castin’ Crafts Opaque Pigments of blue and yellow onto a plastic bag. To prevent your Castin’ Crafts Opaque Pigments from being contaminated with mixed resin, you will want to use a fresh toothpick with each “toothpick tip” worth. I cut my toothpicks in half so I could easily use both ends.

TIP: The Castin’ Craft Opaque Pigments are very potent. When adding Castin’ Crafts Opaque Pigments to Nunn Design Resin, the pigment color amount cannot be greater than 10% of the resin. If it is, it will affect the resin’s ability to cure properly.

Step 15:
Choosing colors! We have 20 Formulas for Colorizing Nunn Design Resin, a color formula cheat sheet to give you ideas of where to start. These formulas include white – making the resin opaque – leave out white for the translucent effect we are going for in this tutorial.

Let’s define what a “tiny toothpick tip” and a “toothpick tip” amount of colorant, from the formula cheat sheets, should look like. This is not an exact science. If you don’t get the exact amount, your color will still come out fairly close.

A “tiny toothpick tip” should look like the blue one in this image.  A “toothpick tip” should look like the yellow.

Mix the colorants into the resin.

TIP: To learn even more, you could watch this video on How to Colorize Nunn Design Resin with Pigments

Step 16:
Drizzle the mixed resin onto the epoxy surface you want to colorize. It is best to under pour and then add more if necessary.

Using a toothpick or a headpin will allow you to drag the resin over to the side edges. You can also use the toothpick or headpin to remove excess resin.

Step 17:
As the resin is curing, air bubbles will rise to the surface. Use your breath to exhale in a “huff” on the resin. This will cause the air in the bubbles to expand and pop.

Step 18:
Using a wet-wipe, clean off any resin that might be on the sides of the bezel. Let the resin dry for 12-14 hours. It will be dry to the touch, but resin continues to cure over the next 72 hours.

TIP: I have poured my colorized resin over uncured Epoxy Clay and have had no issues with the inks running. If you aren’t using Epoxy Clay and StazOn Ink, you may need to let the clay cure prior to pouring on the colorized resin.

Step 19:
Assemble the links back together, or create a design that is uniquely your own!

Watch Video:

Here is a tutorial video where I talk you through the process!

Shop the Buy & Try!

With each of our Buy & Try Tutorials, all of the supplies you will need are available for purchase.

shop Buy & Try Rubber Stamping on Epoxy Clay with Colorized Resin

Shop Wholesale:

For Wholesalers:

The Special Offer period of this Buy & Try has passed; however, you may still purchase the supplies for this technique!

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Rubber Stamping on Epoxy Clay with Colorized Resin Tutorial + Video