How I made a Bitching Silicone Stamp!!!!!!!

Tadpoles,

   I DID it. I DID it...  I was able to make several as my husband called them,"bitching" silicone stampers. First, I had to figure out what kind of material was I going to use to make the stamp out of. I knew that I had to use silicone due to it having to being pliable. Off the Lowe's, I went. After talking to the "Craft Lady" as she was called. We determined that the best silicone to use was "GE Silicone II* Supreme Clear".

   Once locating the proper silicone, Molds were next. I needed to determine the shape(s), I wanted to make. I know that on several pages on Facebook, there were requests for a square clear stamper. So I sat in my Nail room, scratching my head and it fit me. How about a small, large and square stamper. My issue was figuring out what molds could I use. Off to Walmart I went.
   I was in the Walmart hardware isle for what seems 2 hours. While walking up and down the isle, I found these square furniture sliders and a package to sink stoppers.

  Off to making my creations. I used Vaseline to coat the slider and stoppers. I did not want the silicone to stick to the molds. For the next part, I had to have the Husband help me with the caulking gun. I can't use my  left arm and it was impossible for me to squeeze the caulking gun. He squeezed out enough silicone to fill the slider and the stoppers. Once they were filled, I used a piece of cardboard and leveled the silicone to match the sides of the molds. Next, was the hardest part for me to do. I placed the filled molds in a separate room so that I would no mess with them. They needed to cure. After 12 days, my creations were complete.

   I know that 12 days, was a long time but I really want the silicone to set. I looked at the stampers very closely. Here is what I saw:

   As you see, that all of the stampers have air bubbles in them. The small stamper had too many air bubbles in it causing me to dispose of it. The square stamper also had air bubbles in it but it did have a small in the corner that I could use. I cut out that area. Finally, the large stamper just had a long air bubble that ran the length of the stamper. So what I did was cut into the air bubbles and marked it so that the stamper could not be used. It would also note were I could hold the stamper.

Piece from square

Large stamper with my finger over the air bubble marking.

   I decided to see what my creations could do. I used several different stamping plates and 3 stamping polishes. Are you as excited as I was? Here goes, enjoy!!!

 

   The only problem that I had was the same as with regular stampers, not picking up all of the imagines. I buffed it and they worked. I think that after playing with the stampers I will get better using them. Just like the other stampers. I thought that since the silicone was clear that I would be able to see through the stamper.     But I figured out that the only way that could happen is to make a very thin stamper. 
   I decided to make several more stampers in an attempt to get all of the air bubbles out of the silicone.  I am so excited to see what my future stampers will be like. I think that my husband is eager to make more as well. 

   I hope that you were not bored with this post since it was photograph heavy. Please if you have any suggestions in making more stampers, feel free to comment. 

   Have a great "hopping " day..