+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 (edited) Well a big thanks to 57Chevy for the tips on this. I have been wanting to make a sig item ever since I started caching, and just couldnt decide on what I wanted. I decided to do a polymer coin due to it being handmade and no two being the exact same. Also decided to make a micro one as well. It also gives me a sort of accomplishment as I dont think they turned out too bad. There was alot of work involved making the custom stamp, molding, panting etc... But totally worth it. I have about 5 of these compleated but 10 more curing and ready for glaze. I will be dropping some of these in caches soon. I know they dont look the best but I am proud of them If you played in the mud or with clay when you were a kid, this will be a piece of cake. I guess I'll start with what you'll need to get for this project. And I'd say for a good finished product you'll need a couple of full days to let the glaze cure, but the actual time it takes to make a batch is probably 45 min to an hour. Here we go... You are going to need to make a trip to the nearest Hobby Lobby or similar craft store and get the following, Sculpey polymer clay, Whatever colors you like, they have the rainbow (I've found this is the cheapest brand and is just as good as any other) Sculpey glaze, this comes in a small glass bottle about the size of a flashlight battery, usually found near the sculpey. I like using the "gloss" glaze (dark blue label) as it shines quite well and really brings out the color of the sculpey. You'll also need a rubber stamp, or two or three. These are going to need to be small enough to put on a coin, I'd say whatever design you like shouldn't be any larger than an Eisenhower dollar. Bear in mind if you find a stamp that has something on it you like, but also has something on it you don't, you can always cut the part you don't want off with a razor blade or exacto. Finally you'll need a couple of paint pens, I use Elmer's Painters pens in gold and silver metallic. You will also need a couple of saucers and a cookie sheet . Step 1 Go ahead and preheat your oven to 275 Step 2 I mix the colors of sculpey I want by just kneading them with my fingers and then pinch off a bit and roll it into a ball about the size of a quarter or a little smaller, the more you do the better you'll be able to judge how much you need. I'll have a couple dozen of these little balls ready before I start the next step. Step 3 Take one of your saucers and place it on a dish towel on the kitchen counter upside down, then take a small amt. of water and pour onto it, Then wipe a bit of water on the bottom of your other saucer. Put your sculpey ball on the saucer that's on the towel and flatten it with the other saucer to about 1/4 inch. Step 4 Take your desired stamp, dip it in water,(to keep it from sticking) and make an impression in the center of your flattened ball, this may take some practice to see just how hard to press the design in. Sculpey is pretty easy to work with so if you mess it up, just roll it back into a ball and start over. Once you have all of the tokens stamped, Put them on the cookie sheet. Bake according to the directions on the Sculpey package. Pretty sure its 275 for 15 minutes. I always let them cool completely before I ever take them off of the sheet. Once they're cool, take your paint pen and fill in the design, or outline it, or whatever. I always fill my designs, and then turn them over and write on the back of them, "57chevy" or "TFTC" or whatever. The kokopelli ones I make, I number, So far oddly enough, I am up to #57 . Once they look the way you want, you'll want to glaze them to bring the color out of the sculpey. I just put a couple of drops on the front and rub it in with a finger, I do all of the fronts of the coins and let them sit overnight so they aren't tacky, then the next day I do the same with the backsides. After they set for a few hours they're done. I don't think I left anything out but if you are unclear on any of this, just shoot me an e-mail, and I'll help any way I can. Don't take this project too seriously, It really is pretty easy, but I made it pretty difficult the first couple of times I did it. It gets easier the more you do and the end product is always improving. HAVE FUN !!!! Hope this helps. - 57chevy Edited July 18, 2007 by tw3nty3ight Quote Link to comment
+CachingCoins Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 I don't see a picture. I wanna see a picture Are you going to be selling any? Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 I didnt know anyone would want to buy these lol but I am sure we could work something out. Pics should be working fine. Quote Link to comment
+wsgaskins Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 I'd love to know how you made them! Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 I'd love to know how you made them! Email sent! Quote Link to comment
ParentsofSAM Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 Very nice! Perfect little sig item. :D I have no clay talent. I can do all sorts of other crafts but every time I touch clay it turns into a giant mess blob of something. Oh well clay is not the medium for me. Quote Link to comment
+AtlantaGal Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 Those sculptys came out nice! Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 Very nice! Perfect little sig item. :D I have no clay talent. I can do all sorts of other crafts but every time I touch clay it turns into a giant mess blob of something. Oh well clay is not the medium for me. Haha, I thought the same thing to be honest, but I have no patience yet this was fun to do!!! Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 Those sculptys came out nice! Thanks for the kind comments Quote Link to comment
+PSU Fan Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 I'd love to know how you made them! I, too, would be interested in how to make them.... They look great. Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 I'd love to know how you made them! I, too, would be interested in how to make them.... They look great. Thanks PSU! Email Sent Quote Link to comment
+MommyFinder Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 I'd love to know how you made them! I, too, would be interested in how to make them.... They look great. Yes, please share your instructions for making these. They turned out great! I'd love to find one in a cache! Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 (edited) I'd love to know how you made them! I, too, would be interested in how to make them.... They look great. Yes, please share your instructions for making these. They turned out great! I'd love to find one in a cache! Well I will be trading these as well. Email Sent Edited July 17, 2007 by tw3nty3ight Quote Link to comment
+tsunrisebey Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 I'd love to know how you made them! I, too, would be interested in how to make them.... They look great. Yes, please share your instructions for making these. They turned out great! I'd love to find one in a cache! Well I will be trading these as well. f I sell Im not gonna go nuts with it just enough to help buy more clay Email Sent They look nice! You need to edit your post before it gets locked, you can't sell a nontrackable item on these threads tsun Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 They look nice! You need to edit your post before it gets locked, you can't sell a nontrackable item on these threads tsun Thanks for the heads up! Quote Link to comment
+Traderdell Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 As long as you're sending out instructions how about sending a set my way. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 As long as you're sending out instructions how about sending a set my way. Thanks in advance. Email sent Quote Link to comment
+luckycharmer Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 I love finding hand made items in caches. I love the idea that no two are alike. GREAT JOB. Quote Link to comment
+swimmrguy Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 And if you don't mind...I'd love a copy of the instructions too! B. Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 And if you don't mind...I'd love a copy of the instructions too! B. Sent Quote Link to comment
+Kealia Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 Very nice, and personal. I'm sure it will be a big collectable. Congrats. Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 I don't see a picture. I wanna see a picture Are you going to be selling any? Just a note, these could not be sold in these forums, unless they were trackable on www.geocaching.com Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 Very nice, and personal. I'm sure it will be a big collectable. Congrats. Thanks!!! I am glad everyone has good comments about it! Quote Link to comment
+Lotho Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 Please post/email how you made em =D Quote Link to comment
+stepshep Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 Would you mind sending instructions one more time? Quote Link to comment
57chevy Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 Awesome Job! I've found the more you do the more ideas for designs you get. Quote Link to comment
+Morgan's Marauders Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 Post the instructions in here, please!! Nice item! I'm ready to make something like this. Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 18, 2007 Author Share Posted July 18, 2007 Post the instructions in here, please!! Nice item! I'm ready to make something like this. Added to top of page Quote Link to comment
+keewee Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Thanks for posting all that - it sounds real interesting! And useful!! Quote Link to comment
LoriDarlin Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 (edited) Your handmade sig coin is awesome I'd love to trade you for one of my coins if possible!! Also thanks for sharing the instructions ~ might give it a try myself one day!!! Edited July 18, 2007 by LoriDarlin Quote Link to comment
+cacherelle Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 (edited) There was alot of work involved making the custom stamp, molding, panting etc... LOL was that down a phone???? Seriously tho', that looks a really cool sig item, well done Edited July 18, 2007 by cacherelle Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 18, 2007 Author Share Posted July 18, 2007 Your handmade sig coin is awesome I'd love to trade you for one of my coins if possible!! Also thanks for sharing the instructions ~ might give it a try myself one day!!! Email sent Quote Link to comment
+Arrow One Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Excellent Job!! I would love to find one of those in a cache! Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 18, 2007 Author Share Posted July 18, 2007 Excellent Job!! I would love to find one of those in a cache! Well this may be a bit far from ya, but This cache has the first one ever placed Quote Link to comment
+Arrow One Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 I could make that drive in a few hours!! Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 18, 2007 Author Share Posted July 18, 2007 I could make that drive in a few hours!! Lol, I do have a contest going on for one too! Quote Link to comment
+tw3nty3ight Posted July 19, 2007 Author Share Posted July 19, 2007 Have a very limited supply of these left up for trade, as I plan to place some in some lucky cache's this weekend.. Around 5 Regular Size, and 1 Micro. These are all out of the first batch , I also submitted this Sig Coin to geocoincollecting.com and was told they will be approved so they should be on my trading list soon as well Quote Link to comment
+tsunrisebey Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Have a very limited supply of these left up for trade, as I plan to place some in some lucky cache's this weekend.. Around 5 Regular Size, and 1 Micro. These are all out of the first batch , I also submitted this Sig Coin to geocoincollecting.com and was told they will be approved so they should be on my trading list soon as well I didn't know they took sig items, maybe 'll trying getting my petroglyphs on there too tsun Quote Link to comment
+froldt Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Those are some great sig items! I'd love to find one of them! I have made some things with sculpey over the years. It's really easy to work with, and if you don't have any ideas, they come with step-by-step instructions on how to make different things on the back of the packages. Browse through them on the store and see what designs you like most! I heard once that it is cheaper to buy the big bucket of the white sculpey and paint it than it is to buy the little rainbow packs. I don't know about that for sure, though... Do you have to glaze them? I think that with my design it looks better without the glaze on there, but if it will last longer, then I guess I'll go get some glaze! Quote Link to comment
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