How To Make Your Own Stones for Rock Painting

Have you ever wanted a perfectly shaped smooth stone? Learn how to make your own stones! ➡Learn how to get that glossy shine by sealing your rocks with Art Resin with this tutorial: • How to Use Art Resin t...
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Check out this quick tutorial that explains the easy process of how to make your own stones with a silicone mold and UltraCal 30 Gypsum Cement. These rocks are great for mandalas and many other designs, are durable (I've dropped them on concrete and nothing broke!), and are super smooth!
Chapters for How To Make Your Own Stones for Rock Painting:
0:00 Intro
0:10 Supplies
0:27 Measuring
1:35 Mixing
2:08 Pouring into Mold
2:42 Removing from Mold
3:13 Smoothing Imperfections
3:41 Optional Seal
3:53 Let's paint!
Supplies used in this video:
UltraCal 30 Gymsum Cement: amzn.to/3pDy2db
Kitchen Scale: amzn.to/3uly7FR
Happy Dotting Company Molds: amzn.to/3eBPTzg
Silicon Molds on Amazon: amzn.to/2NNh66Y
Mod Podge: amzn.to/3s9JLli
I only recommend products I have used myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This description may contain affiliate links that I may earn a small commission from to help support bringing you free content every week!
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[@laureldavis3178]

This was so helpful! Your explanation is clear and easy to understand. Can’t wait to try this!

[@JessicaRocks]

I'm so glad it was helpful! It took me longer than it should to start making these last year, and then I realized there is NOTHING to be intimidated by! I did mix up the water/mix ratio on my first try and had a watery mess! 😂

[@terri7921]

You can also use a cider block it files down quickly.

[@JessicaRocks]

great tip!

[@Lori-sb3zb]

I use Cementall quick set. Lots cheaper than Ultracal and I can get it at the local hardware. I like molding concrete as much as painting!

[@JessicaRocks]

That's awesome! I enjoy them, too...sometimes you just want one that is perfectly smooth and perfectly shaped!

[@Lori-sb3zb]

@@JessicaRocks My only other option is to buy them at the landscaper and their yards will close shortly. My daughter brings me a few back when she travels. This momma works two jobs so travel does not happen often for me!

[@JessicaRocks]

I totally understand! I've had some luck ordering Mexican Beach Pebbles online from Home Depot and I've been happy. They were $9-19/bag and if you ordered I think $40 worth, it was free shipping!

[@lsl1060]

Jessica the measurement that you did in the video did that fill both the Dome old and the oval mold?

[@wearetherileys9007]

This is awesome, we love ROCKS!

[@JessicaRocks]

Me too! 😄 And these are nice for the super smoothness and shapes!

[@ambagangsta2016h]

I want to try this ! Thanks for the video!

[@JessicaRocks]

You should!

[@lsl1060]

Thank you Jessica, have been thinking about trying to make my own stones using the ultracal30, but everything online says it does not come with instructions, so I have been a little weary of it. I KNEW I would find something on here from you on how to do this, and I was not wrong. Your instructions are beautifully clear, and I feel like I can do this. Thank you so much!!

[@JessicaRocks]

Oh I'm so glad it helped! They are pretty cool! I've been holding myself back from ordering more molds, because they're so contagious! I I would love to hear how it turns out!!

[@LarieM]

Great suggestion for the ModPodge!

[@JessicaRocks]

Thanks! A product of trial and error! Lol

[@susanpettit8751]

This was very helpful! Just got the molds and plaster for Christmas! Thank you.

[@JessicaRocks]

You will have so much fun with them! Enjoy and Merry Christmas! 🎄❤

[@jane1385]

@@JessicaRocksdo u think joint compound or plaster could work in a mold? I have so much of that stuff from diy projects around the house.🤷‍♀️

[@JessicaRocks]

@@jane1385 I'm not sure how well the joint compound would work (after Googling it) because it looks more similar to spackle. Plaste might work, but I'm not sure how durable it would be if you dropped then. I have seen people use QuickCrete too!

[@gailallen4629]

Hi! For the molds that you bought from Amazon how do you know what the measurements are?

[@kelcritcarroll]

Hi! I take my stones or candles or whatever ive molded and drag it across my cement driveway to get rifd of the ridge on the bottoms…! Just a thought!

[@JessicaRocks]

Yes! I learned that trick from another KZbinr recently!

[@kaymad143]

This was a great video! I have been thinking about making my own rocks! :-)

[@JessicaRocks]

I go through phases with them and try and make them ahead! The smoothness is great!

[@kaymad143]

@@JessicaRocks I understand the phases! :-) I go through different ones too. I can't wait to try this one!

[@margdono]

Can I use gesso (which I use as a base) or better to use Mod Podge? Thanks. So glad I found your tutorials.

[@JessicaRocks]

Yes you can! I have also used that to kind of seal it in. Even paint will work, it's just that the first coat kind of "absorbs" into the stone because it's a tad porous!

[@irisbettencourt4096]

Nice

[@Chloee117]

Jessica, do these break easily? I'd love to do these molds one day. 😊

[@JessicaRocks]

They actually don't! I've dropped them on cement before and they are good. If you made them out of plaster of paris, I think they would shatter, but this is gypsum cement, so it's pretty solid! You're giving me another idea for a short video! Rock drop of a different sort maybe? lol

[@sarahyoung1676]

O the sites by professionals they say to add the dry to the waters and let it site for a few minutes then stir it with a stick or spatula until mixed, then pour as you demonstrated, now I am confused. Have you ever tried adding color to the dry mixture? I have some highly pigmented Brusho Crystal Color which I use in paper art I am wanting to try.

[@JessicaRocks]

Interesting! Adding color at this stage never crossed my mind because I'm more interested in the homemade stone so I can paint it! And I'm no professional, just an ordinary person so you might be better off taking their advice for adding color!

[@shelliceccon8529]

If I want to put these stones outside would I have to use cement in my moulds instead so they dont deteriorate from the rain.?

[@JessicaRocks]

No I think as long as you seal them you will be fine. Also, the first time I made these with the UltraCal, I messed up the ratio and I spilled it outside. It took way longer get to set up, and I forgot about it outside. They got rained on multiple times with no sealer and were just fine!

[@donnadobbins4295]

May I ask why you don't use a spatula? And what do you recommend if you need to make about 50 stones in various sizes?

[@JessicaRocks]

Honestly, I just didn't think about it, but I have some perfect mini spatulas I got at Ross that I might use! If you need to make 50 stones in varied sizes, I would consider looking on Amazon and Etsy for the molds that do multiple stones at once otherwise it will be extra labor intensive!

[@4614Maria]

Ho acquistato tempo fa presso un rivenditore di materiale edile un preparato che loro chiamano "Malta" è un mix. A quale prodotto venduto in Italia è paragonabile il tuo composto Ultracal? Metti qualcosa nello stampo per poterlo poi estrarre con facilità? Ho acquistato tempo fa su Temù uno stampo con 6 spazi, vorrei provare...

[@JessicaRocks]

I'm not sure what Italy has. Malta sounds like something that might work. We have a product here called "quick crete" that many people use. I don't line the silicone molds with anything. The nature of the silicone makes it nonstick and it comes right off once the UltraCal is set.

[@4614Maria]

@@JessicaRocks grazie 🙂

[@Pashanny824]

How do you know how much you need for different projects?

[@JessicaRocks]

For the larger molds, one mix of 38 parts water to 100 parts mix will make one mold. So I can increase it if I want to pour into multiple molds!

[@amberjacobs1895]

Can I use something other than my hand to mix it?

[@JessicaRocks]

Yes! You just want to make sure to stir slowly to minimize air bubbles!

[@joycepollitt7825]

Have you tried motor mix on these molds?

[@JessicaRocks]

I haven't personally but I've heard of people that have!

[@joycepollitt7825]

Think I’ll try it soon.

[@JessicaRocks]

I would love to hear how it goes! I think that might be more affordable and easier to get a hold of!

[@MichelleBethune-jh9zy]

Sorry what is "parts" with the water?, how does the water match the grams?

[@JessicaRocks]

It's 38 parts water to 100 parts gympsum cement. I usually measure it in grams on my little kitchen scale!

[@Empathy808]

I started making my own and I had a lot that were great but now they seem to be watery, and not coming out right.. any reason why? I tried to google the answers but no luck lol

[@JessicaRocks]

It sounds like the measurements might be slightly off? Do you use a scale to measure the water/gypsum cement? I have had some where the water kind of seeps up and is sitting at the top as it's curing and I'll take the corner of a paper towel or napkin and just touch it to the water to let it soak into the napkin. I would experiment and maybe "sprinkle" a little extra gympsum cement in before mixing. I've done that before if I go over the correct amount of water slightly.

[@Empathy808]

@@JessicaRocks thank you for getting back to me- I was very desperate for advice😅. Yeah I use a scale and usually I’m spot on with the measurements, I even tried a tiny bit less water and same thing happened. I’ll try the paper towel trick!!! Thank you so much 😊

[@queenyeseul2487]

How much would I put if I wanted to fill 5 molds? The molds I’ll be getting are all from the happy doting company and are the heart mold, the oval silicone mold set, round smooth shape design 3 and design 1. If it’s 100 and 38 would it become 500 and 190 for 5 molds? Or should I just do them one at a time to be on the safe side 😂

[@JessicaRocks]

To be honest I do them one at a time! 😆 But you could just multiply the measurements accordingly, but you would also want to make sure the molds are of like sizes. I've tried to double up and short changed the second mold!

[@queenyeseul2487]

@@JessicaRocks thanks for the reply! 💜

[@MsPreetisoni]

Why do we need to create stones when there are already so much on earth?

[@JessicaRocks]

You absolutely don't have to, it's just another option. And some people like being able to control the shape and smoothness!

[@gailallen4629]

Hi! For the molds that you bought from Amazon how do you know what the measurements are?

[@JessicaRocks]

I was able to find the answer in the Amazon Q&A. Both of them fit in the palm of my hand, and this is what the a purchaser says dimension wise: _The round one is approximately 2.25 inches across and 1 in deep. The top of the round mold has a lip so the bottom edge of the rocks are rounded. The oval is 3.375 inches long, 2.375 inches wide and .75 inch deep._ I also will say that the one thing I don't love about these molds compared to the Happy Dotting Company, is that they can get a sharp edge. The Happy Dotting Company molds are rounded so that you don't get that sharp edge at the top, so I definitely prefer them!

[@gailallen4629]

Thank you very much!

[@JessicaRocks]

@@gailallen4629 No problem! 😊