Mother’s Day Tumbler using Kid Footprints or Artwork
Ok resin artists, we hope you are ready for one of the sweetest Mother’s Day gift ideas ever! Today Elly from E Marie Tumblers is teaching us how to make a Mother’s Day tumbler using kid footprints or artwork. Oh my goodness are these cups adorable!
When it comes to gifts for moms and grandmas, anything that they’re tiny humans have created is always a huge hit. A Mother’s Day tumbler using kid footprints or artwork is a perfect example! Whether it’s their tiny footprints, handprints, or a special piece of artwork, it’s all precious!
And they can all be used to make a cherished cup. Elly is showing us how to take any of these treasured images and transfer them to a tumbler. Then she teaches us how to use alcohol inks and Artist Resin to complete a beautiful cup that is perfect for gifting. Get your tissues ready friends, these precious tumblers are sure to give them moms in your life all the feels!
Mother’s Day Tumbler using Kid Footprints or Artwork
When we saw these adorable Mother’s Day tumblers we knew we wanted to share them with you. We reached out to Elly and she was generous in sharing her process for making these beauties! Elly is a talented resin artist and a natural teacher, so we are going to turn this show over to her…
Hi! I’m Elly, owner of E Marie Tumblers. I am a glitter, laser engraved, and sublimation tumbler artist. And I also host glitter tumbler parties! I live near Tampa, FL with my husband, 2 kiddos, and very spoiled English Bulldog. Several years ago, I began teaching myself a craft that would soon change my life. I have always been a creator and teacher, but never knew how to combine the two. I began teaching others in my workshop, but realized I was limiting learning to local crafters. Now I teach women how to make tumblers, start a business, and create multiple income streams in their tumbler business online! For more information, head to emarietumblers.com! My coaching group, E Marie Makers, is opening soon! I LOVE what I do, and I am so happy to share this simple tutorial with you!
Mother's Day Tumbler using Kid Footprints or Artwork
Materials
- Stainless steel tumbler in your size choice (I used 20oz)
- Rustoleum 2x gloss white spray paint
- Rustolem 2x Clear Gloss
- Glitter Fine white
- Alcohol Ink Choose 5 colors that will match the image you are using
- Clear waterslide paper
- Mod Podge I use gloss
- Foam brush
- Sanding block I use 220 grit
- Loctite Multi Purpose spray adhesive
- Counter Culture DIY Artist Resin
- Can of air
- Cup spinner/rotisserie
- Respirator
- Protective gloves
- Mixing cups
- Mixing sticks
- Painting or drawing with a white background
Instructions
- Using your favorite method, prep your stainless steel tumbler and spray paint it white.
- Apply Mod Podge to your cup with a foam brush. You really need to work fast! Aim for long, smooth lines and complete coverage.
- Immediately sprinkle your glitter all over the cup. Don't forget the bottom!
- For the second layer, I shake off any excess glitter and then spray the cup with Loctite. Then, sprinkle glitter all over the cup. You should have complete coverage now.
- To seal glitter so that it stays in place while applying epoxy, I then spray the cup 2-3 times with Rustoleum 2x Clear Gloss, waiting 10-15 minutes between each coat.
- Now we are ready for epoxy! Mix your Artist Resin and apply to your cup with a gloved hand. Make sure you're wearing your respirator! Let spin 3-4 hours, turn off the spinner, and let it dry completely.
- Lightly sand your cup, and then apply a second layer of epoxy. Let it spin 3-4 hours, turn off your spinner, and let it dry completely.
- Your cup should be nice and smooth now and ready for waterslide! Note- you may find areas that need a little sanding. Go ahead, but NOT in the area you will apply your waterslide. For this cup, my client sent a painting her kids had made with their feet! I uploaded the image into Design Space, cleaned up the background, and printed the image on clear waterslide paper.
- Next, because I have an inkjet printer, I sealed the image 3 times with Rustoleum 2xClear gloss, waiting 10-15 minutes in between each spray. If you have a laser printer, no need to seal.
- Apply your beautiful waterslide to your cup, and let it dry an hour or 2.
- Grab your inks and can of air! With gloved hands, put a drop of ink onto the cup. Then, blow the ink in different directions with your can of air. Play with it, have fun, and if you don't like a section you can remove with alcohol and try again. Easy peasy!
- I let my inks dry for about 30 minutes and then give the bottom of my cup a light spray with Rustoleum 2x Clear Gloss to really seal those inks. We are almost done!
- Clean up the rim of your cup if needed and sand any rough spots on the rim.
- Finally, apply your last layer of epoxy, and le tit spin 3-4 hours. Turn your spinner off, and pray (kidding...or am I?) that you're done! Wait for your cup to completely dry, and then check it to see if you have a smooth finish. There is always a chance you will need another layer of epoxy, and that is completely fine! My cups are always 3-4 layers.
- Once your cup is nice and smooth, you are all done!
Quick note- many prefer the epoxy method for glitter application. That works too! Simply use that method and once you have a smooth finish, pick up with the waterslide and ink application. I hope you enjoy this tutorial! It really is a beautiful way to bring your kiddo’s artwork to life! If you have any questions, I am happy to help. Thanks so much for creating with me! Xoxo, Elly
The Wrap Up…
We absolutely love these Mother’s Day tumblers and hope you do too! These make a perfect gift for the moms you love or a fabulous addition to your shop. If making these for a client like Elly did, just have them send you the image they want to preserve and you can tweak the size and clarity of it in your design space. Print that baby on a clear waterslide and you’re in business! We know that many of you are big fans of Quick Coat and may be wondering if you can still use that as your sealant in this project. You absolutely can! Like Elly pointed out, we all have our preferred methods and products for our resin art. You can stick with Elly’s fabulous suggestions or you can swap a few things out to suit your own expertise. However you do it, these beautiful tumblers are sure to be welcomed with soggy eyes and open arms!
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