Stamping on Salt Dough

Have you wondered how to make salt dough ornaments and embellishments, using rubber stamps?  It’s a fun and simple craft. You can even use these for fun gift tags.

Important! I have learned, recently, that salt dough ornaments can be very toxic to pets and can cause harm to pets. The high concentration of salt is the problem. Dogs might mistake these as a salty dog treat, so please consider not making these if you have pets in the home.

As my kids grew older, I thought our days of playing with salt dough were over.  So not true! I was surprised (and delighted) to find that salt dough could be a little more sophisticated. Maybe I’m completely oblivious (well, sometimes I actually am), but I had no idea that rubber stamps could be used with salt dough.  The finished items can be used as embellishments for other crafts, journals, etc, or as salt dough ornaments.

My daughter and I had fun a few nights ago, stamping on salt dough. Want to try it?

Supplies Needed: 

Supplies can be purchased via the affiliate links at the end of this post, or in the text.  I will receive a small commission if you purchase through them. Thank you!

• 1 cup salt

• 2 cups flour

• 1 cup water

• Parchment paper or wax paper

• Rubber stamps (Choose some without too much detail for this project.  Too much fine detail won’t imprint as well. I have a few links at the bottom of the post.)

• Acrylic paint

• Mod Podge Sealer

• Acrylic Paint Brush

Here’s how:

• Combine the salt, flour, and water, and knead for a bit. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.
• Next, find a few rubber stamps that are not extremely detailed.  (Too much fine detail won’t imprint as well.) Text stamps and pattern stamps also look beautiful when stamped into the dough.
• Roll your dough out on the parchment paper (experiment with different thicknesses) and press your rubber stamp into it.  Trim around the edges with a knife.
• If you want to use them as ornaments, use a skewer or straw to poke a hole at the top.

• Place on parchment paper on a baking sheet, and bake at 200 degrees for a couple of hours or so, OR allow to air dry for a few days. (If you bake them, keep an eye on them. They may crack or warp if they bake too long.)
• They’re now ready to paint. Be sure and use a thin, fine paintbrush for the details. Your options are wide open for colors!  My daughter used bright colors on hers (below.)   Neutral colors look lovely and organic on stamped text or patterns.  
• Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before sealing. When the paint is dry, coat the ornament well with Mod Podge.

For ornaments, try cutting out circles with a glass (or any shape cookie cutter), and stamp a design. Be sure to poke a hole with a skewer or straw. (My daughter chose to make hers for embellishments, rather than ornaments.) 

They would make cute gift tags too. Start now, and you’ll be way ahead. (I should listen to my own advice!)

Be sure to store these on a main floor in your house (not basement or attic.)

Give it a try. It’s fun!

Linking to:

Creative Jewish Mom