Thursday, May 04, 2006

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

11 Comments:

Blogger ♥ joleen ♥ said...

ooooh, love it! thanks. :) will be linking this!

1:16 PM  
Blogger Amy said...

Excellent tutorial!

2:28 PM  
Blogger Ali said...

Thanks for the great tutorial - gave it a go - take a look! http://domesticali.blogspot.com/2006/05/home-carved-stamp.html

1:12 PM  
Blogger Ali said...

This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

1:14 PM  
Blogger sooz said...

Excellent tutorial - I've added a link on my sidebar! Can't wait to try it.

9:02 PM  
Blogger Shelly said...

Very cool! Thanks so much..can't wait to try it.

Shelly
rawlingsfamily.typepad.com/angelmomma_yumbies

8:48 PM  
Blogger nina said...

verrrrry helpful, and also computer-savvy with those illustrations! you rock. thanks, moki! xo

6:17 AM  
Blogger Knit and Purl Grrl said...

Great help! I just did one for the recipe cards (hopefully) tonight. But I think I will do another go-round. Do you order your blocks online? I found one place to get them, but they're a bit 'spensive.

One question -- why does yours look so much better than mine????!!!
;)
xoxo
L

11:10 PM  
Blogger Sandrine (alias Didine ♥ ) said...

Your stamp is pretty cool !!! My sister bought me this "speedball speedy stamp carving block" (one 10"/12" big white one and a tiny pink like yours ! )when she went in NY last year ! I love it so much ! Now I'd like to find some again ! Do you think I could find some in Internet that sale to Belgium ?? Big smooches !

3:29 AM  
Blogger Christy said...

That's very informative. Thank you very much! :)

11:08 PM  
Blogger jodi french paper arts said...

wow. so simple, looks so great!

5:20 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home