Hand carved stamps!

I've hosted a few hand carved stamp swaps and have gotten comments and requests on info for carving your own stamps.

I like to use the best materials for carving. I use the Speedball Linoleum Cutter and prefer the Speedball "Speedy-stamp carving block."You can use a craft knife and anything carvable like an eraser or a cheaper version of this block (that is not as durable.)

1. Draw or trace an image you want to carve on to any old paper. I use computer paper or a piece of scrap and a ball point pen.

2. Turn your image over and scribble across the entire back of it with a #2 pencil (or other soft artist pencil.

3. Place your image face up on your carving block and retrace it with your pen.

4. When you pick up your paper you will see you transfered the image onto your block. If it didn't transfer you can repeat the steps over again, make sure you are using a soft pencil and press a little harder when you trace over the drawing.

5. I draw over my transfer with the pen so I don't accidentally rub it off when I am carving. I first carve the outer edges of the image using a #2 linoleum cutting blade. If you use a craft knife t, take your time and just cut at a slight angle away from your image. You can come back and "carve away" the edge.

6.Once I carve the outside I do the inside of the image.

7. Using the #5 (usually) I carve away any large areas, like the outer edges and then trim the stamp base down to a smaller size.

Ta da! You have a stamp. Email me with any questions: mokistar at aol dot com