Use Ikonart to create a custom Polymer Clay Patterned Bookmark to save your place in a favorite book!
If you're an avid reader (like me), or know someone who is, then you know that fun bookmarks make reading even more entertaining! These polymer clay bookmarks are so simple make for clay crafters of every level, and can be customized with any pattern or design using the Ikonart custom stencil kit. What's even better is that you can reuse the custom silkscreen stencil over and over to make a whole collection of bookmarks, which is great for selling or gifting to both kids and adults!
To make your own Polymer Clay Bookmarks, you will need these supplies:
- Doodle Pattern Printable (for personal use only)
- Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit
- Polymer Clay
- Baking Mat or Ceramic Tile
- Clay Roller or Clay Rolling Machine
- Acrylic Paint
- Squeegee
- Bookmark Clay Cutter
*Save 15% on Ikonart supplies when you shop with code AFM15
Printables, designs, and cut files from Artsy-Fartsy Mama are for personal use only. You may use these files for personal projects, but you may not sell them. If you'd like to share this project digitally, share a link to this post/website only. Do not share a direct link to the file.
To make a stencil, you need to start with a printed design. Download the Doodle Pattern design (for personal use only) or any pther design you want for your bookmark and make sure to print the design* as dark as possible on either inkjet or laser Ikonart Printer Film.
Set up the Ikonart exposure stand by following the directions included in the kit. Ikonart Stencil Film is light sensitive, so be careful to keep it out of sunlight and bright lights before exposure! Cut the film to the same size or slightly larger than the design print.
Lay the piece of film down on the base of the stand with the textured side facing UP. Place the printed design on top of the stencil film, making sure it's right-side up. This means that if there are words in your design, you should be able to read them.
Lastly, place the clear exposure sheet (found in the stencil film pack) on top and press it down well to seal the design tight against the stencil film. Turn the exposure light on and expose the film for 30-35 seconds.
*I often place smaller designs like this one on printouts with other designs so that I can create multiple stencils at once!
The final step in the stencil-making process is to washout, or rinse, the stencil. Clip the exposed stencil film to the Ikonart clipboard with the shiny side (carrier sheet) touching the clipboard. Use the kitchen sink sprayer to rinse the stencil film with warm water until the design shows through and becomes completely clear. The washout process shouldn't take more than 3 minutes. If the design isn't washing out after that point, you may have had some kind of exposure error.
Gently blot excess water off the the stencil. Hang the stencil up or lay it flat to dry for about 45 minutes (I stick the wet stencils to the glass shower door). When the stencil is dry, you shouldn't see any water spots or discoloration on the stencil film. Once completely dried, place the stencil back on the exposure stand and expose it again for at least 2 minutes without the clear cover sheet on top. This extra exposure time will increase the durability of the stencil so you can get as much use out of it as possible.
Use a permanent marker and write "back" on the carrier sheet (shiny side) on the back of the stencil. This helps later when you put the carrier sheet and the stencil back together when you are done using it.
Take one section of polymer clay in the color of your choice and knead it well to get it into a smooth, pliable texture. Use a clay roller with 2mm thickness rings (or line 2 craft sticks parallel to each other with the clay in between) to flatten the clay into a large oval or rectangle.
Tip: If you work directly on a baking mat or ceramic tile, you don't have to worry about transferring your project when it's time to bake the clay. This also helps reduce the chances of you accidentally misshaping the clay while moving it.
Remove the carrier sheet from the back of the stencil and place it over the clay. Rub it down gently with your fingers and then use the roller to make sure the stencil is pressed down well and that there aren't any air bubbles trapped underneath.
Add a small line of acrylic paint on top of the stencil. I wanted a more subtle look on my bookmark, so I used a metallic silver paint. For the design to really pop, use a contrasting color like white paint on darker clay colors, and black paint on lighter clay colors.
Use a squeegee to gently pull the paint down to the bottom edge of the stencil. Don't press hard, just skim over the top of the stencil. Scrape the excess paint away and put it back into the paint bottle.
Slowly lift the stencil up to reveal the painted pattern underneath. If you see anywhere that has been missed by the paint while peeling the stencil away, carefully lay the stencil back down and add a little more paint over the area.
If everything looks good as you peel the stencil away, you can remove the stencil completely. Let the paint dry before moving on to the next step (don't worry - it doesn't take long).
Let the paint dry completely, and wash the stencil well following the instructions below.
Washing Stencils:
For best results, wash stencils while the paint is still wet. To wash your stencil so that it can be used again and again, first get the clipboard wet so your stencil doesn't stick to it. Place the stencil on the clipboard with the textured side up, and lightly rub the stencil under cold running water to remove all the paint.
Do not rub or scrub the adhesive side of the stencil, and NEVER use anything other than water to wash the stencils. To prevent the stencil from breaking down, don't ever leave the stencils to soak.
Remove the stencil from the clipboard and lay it down with the adhesive side up. While the stencil is still wet, place the carrier sheet onto the stencil so that the word “BACK” is readable. Hang or lay the stencil flat to dry completely.
Place the bookmark cutter over the painted design and gently press it straight down, or freehand a bookmark using a craft knife. Gently pull the cutter straight up. If the clay stays down, leave it there. If it comes up with the cutter, be careful how you remove it. Poking through the top to push the clay out can leave dents or misshape the earring piece.
Here's a few tricks & tips for cutting clay that have worked for me:
- Place a piece of plastic wrap over the clay first, and then cut the clay.
- Dip the cutter in corn starch or talcum powder before cutting
- Your clay or workspace might be too warm. Put the clay in the fridge or freezer to cool it down before cutting.
If you'd like a tassel at the end of your bookmark, use a toothpick or a small circle cutter to make a hole at the top end of the bookmark.
Carefully peel away the excess clay, leaving the bookmark in place (I had extra space on my clay rectangle, so I cut some earrings at the same time). It's ok if the edges look a little rough. Just make sure to remove all of the excess clay.
Preheat your oven and bake the bookmark. Most polymer clays are usually baked at 275º for 15 minutes per quarter inch thickness, but refer to your specific clay packaging directions to make sure. Once baked, let the clay cool completely before handling.
Once cooled, the bookmark is ready for use! I love how the metallic paint looks paired with this metallic berry-colored clay.
Polymer clays like Sculpey Premo and Sculpey Soufflé are more flexible than other clays after being baked, so I would recommend using those if you are needing a bookmark that will be getting a lot of use.
I'd love to hear what you think and what colors you would pair together for your own bookmarks. If you've made your own stenciled projects, I would love to see your creations! Share them on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #AFMCrafts
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