• FLEXIBLE cookie cutters
• a silicone craft or baking mat
• veggie oil
• and mortar
If you have not made Art Stones before be sure to check out the post "How To Make Homemade Art Stones" so you know what type of materials to use and how to mix it up properly. Also when selecting cookie cutters and using them you will want to keep these few things in mind:
• Metal and plastic cookie cutters both work. Plastic cutters do work if they are flexible. The mortar doesn't stick to plastic as easily. Metal cutters work but they are more difficult to remove. I have lost several metal cutters, because I was unable to remove the more from the cutter.
• You will want a cookie cutter that is flexible when you push on it. If it's too stiff it will be difficult to remove your stone and you may lose the cutter and stone.
• You want a cookie cutter that is an 1 inch or more thick in height/depth. If it's thinner than this the stone will be too thin and may break the first time it's dropped. Mortar needs to be at least 1/2 inch thick to be strong.
• You will want to use cookie cutters that have a simple design and no little parts like tiny legs and arms on characters or highly detailed cutters. The reason is those tiny details may cause the stone to break when removing from the cutter or the tiny part may be weaker and break off later. Keeping it simple is better.
• You will always want to use vegetable oil to coat the inside of your cookie cutter before adding mortar or you may lose your cookie cutter. Make sure to thoroughly oil all your cutters each time before adding mortar! This is vital to making sure your stone will be able to be removed and not break when removing.
• You will want to use a silicone craft/baking mat to lay the cookie cutters on. This will give you a smooth, sleek surface to paint. (see bottom of post for more info on mats)
Let's Get Started....
1. Lay your silicone mat(s) out flat and make sure they are clean.
2. Set up your cookie cutters laying flat on the mat. Make sure the cutters are clean too.
3. Take a paper towel or napkin and dip it in some vegetable oil (any kind will do) and rub it all over the inside of the cookie cutters. Make sure it's pretty well coated. Be careful that you don't miss a spot, especially in the corners and crevices. A generous coat of oil with help greatly with removing the stone later.
4. Mix up your mortar.
5. Pour or spoon the mortar into each cookie cutter. Pay attention that the mortar goes completely to all the edges and is level and even. I usually fill mine about 1/2 full or a bit more. You want your stones to be at least 1/2 inch thick or more to be strong.
6. Very lightly tap the tray/table that you are making your stones on a few times. This will help release air bubbles. Don't tap the cookie cutters directly and try not to over tap the tray/table because it will cause extra mortar to run underneath the cookie cutter and cause a mess.
7. You will notice a very small amount of mortar seeping out of the bottom of the cutters. This is okay!
8. Let your mortar set. When the dry time is up, remove your stones from the cutters. You will not want the mortar to set longer than necessary in the cookie cutters. Letting them sit overnight or all day may cause the mortar to bond more to the cutters making it harder to remove. I found it's easier to remove them as soon as the dry time is up. Don't remove to early either. Removing too early may cause the stone to break when removing. For Rapidset Mortar, I let the Rapidset mortar set for about 2 hours after pouring so it's pretty strong before removing.
9. After you remove your stones, you may notice a small amount of excess mortar on the edges at the bottom of the stone. Just gently peel it away or sand it off. It comes off really easy if your stones haven't been sitting too long yet.
11. Allow your newly made Art Stones to cure about 3 days before painting. You can paint and seal them just like a natural rock.
10. Clean up time! Simply soak your cookie cutters in a bucket of warm soapy water (dish soap works fine) for a few minutes and wash. I use baby wipes to wash my cutters and molds with... stronger than paper towels and disposable! Make sure not to pour any mortar or water used to wash your cutters/molds/tools down your drains, it will ruin your pipes. Dispose of your wash water outside and any unused mortar in the garbage.
Silicone Mats
Looking for a silicone mat? Make sure to find a silicone mat that has a completely smooth surface with no writing or texture on it... The silicone mat will determine the top of your art stone. Here are a few to check out:Hobby Lobby
Amazon
Happy Rocking!
