Tight Budget? Use These As Alternative Resin Molds

using stamps as alternative resin moldsThere’s something kinda cool that happens when you’ve worked with resin for a while. You learn how to make it work for you. To make this resin pendant, you can use stamps as an alternative to resin molds.

resin crafting supplies

Resin supply list:

prepping a stamp pad to be an alternative resin mold

 

adding masking tape to a stamp pad

 

Step 1: Make a tape basket

Tear a piece of masking tape large enough to have a border around the stamp. Place the stamp into the center. Fold the tape around the pad to create a ‘dam’ around the part. Use scissors to trim off any extra tape as necessary. You want 3 to 5 millimeters of tape above the ink pad.

setting up alternative resin molds

The higher your tape dam, the thicker the base will be in the pendant blank.

apply colored powder to stamp pad surface

Step 2: Add colored powders

Use a brush to dust on a light coating of powder.

using stamp pads as alternative resin molds

Step 3: Mix and add resin

For this resin pour, mix 10 ml total of the Alumilite Amazing casting resin to add to your alternative resin molds.

This is a quick-curing polyurethane resin. Meaning–this is not a resin for beginners. But, good news–you can use an epoxy resin for this project. Just know that you will have to ‘babysit’ the project longer.

You’ll see why in a moment.

peeling off tape dam from partially cured resin

 

peeling partially cured resin from a ink stamp

Step 4: Remove from the tape

Once the resin is in the soft cure stage, remove the tape and peel the resin away from the stamp. The resin will be rubbery at this point. With this resin, it happens about 6 to 8 minutes after mixing. With an epoxy resin, you will need to wait for 1 to 3 hours to reach this point. Maybe even longer.

trimming excess resin with scissors

 

checking fit of resin casting into pendant blank

Step 5: Size to your pendant

Check the fit of your resin casting to ensure it rests snugly within the pendant blank. While the resin is soft, you can trim the excess with scissors.

If you don’t get a good fit now, you’ll need to sand off the excess when it finally cures.

Once you are sure of the fit, press your piece flat. It takes another 30 to 60 minutes to ensure it is fully cured, and you don’t want it to cure unevenly.

pendants made with alternative resin molds

Step 6: Secure with glue

After curing, you can use mixed resin or E6000 to secure the resin charms into the bezel blanks.

Hang them on a colored ribbon to give them an extra WOW.

blue resin pendant

You can use a patina to highlight the crevices. Or fill in the gaps with clear epoxy and glitter to give it more visual interest.

Here’s a quick video also showing how I made these pendants using stamps as alternative resin molds:


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15 thoughts on “Tight Budget? Use These As Alternative Resin Molds

  1. These are stamps? I’m confused by the term stamp pad…is it just a stamp off of the mount?
    They’re really cool.

  2. You may want to edit for sake of clarity and getting people here via search engines- the objects you used are stamps; ink pads are the things you rub stamps on to apply color to them, and pouring resin on that would just create a mess. This looks so fun and I’m eager to try it! I have a couple of silicone stamps that aren’t simple shapes, though, so I may need to experiment to get a dam to stay in place properly… maybe some silly putty is in order!

  3. This article might be a bit confusing to some as you go back and forth calling it an ink pad and a stamp pad… while I think they are both the same thing.. an ink/stamp pad is a pad with ink in that you press a stamp into. You are using a rubber or silicone stamp in this project.

  4. OMG! Thanks all for leaving your comments. Boy am I embarrassed. Will get on making these corrections pronto!

    1. I bought these awhile ago and don’t recall where I purchased them. I’m guessing any of the big box crafting stores should have them.

  5. I have plenty of stamps, but they are all rubber. I think you are using silicone stamps? Can you use a rubber stamp to do the same thing (I can spray it with the mold release, but don’t know if that will work)? This is such a great idea! Thanks, Cynthia

  6. Good morning fellow friends,
    Would you be able to share with me any further information on how to obtain these wonderful stamp pads in the UK.
    I’ve had a look on the Web pages in the UK, but to no avail 🤔.
    Should you be able to guide me to where I can buy them or a more in depth name this would help me considerably. Thank you kindly Lorraine 😄

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