I played with a stamp and suddenly my head was full of ideas and memories of block printing in high school (I went to an arts HS). I’ve messed around with stamp making here and there since then but nothing serious. I even still own a set of “safety” lino cutters (that I have now gouged my thumb with - hah!) that I’ve had since I was 15.
So I ordered some new supplies. While I waited for them to arrive, I carved my bike shop’s logo into a white eraser. (It’s a silhouette of our little dog.) That worked ok.
Experimenting with different lino blocks has been educational as well as frustrating. I now have an idea which kind of block I like so it’s time to order more of those (and a set of normal lino cutters). I had some problems transfering a complex design to this pink block so it’s now reserved for small stamp designs. The snail mail design I saw on Pinterest. I just needed a cute, simple, forgiving design. This was very satisfying and now I can stamp it all over some happy mail…
14 Likes
It’s always so fun going back to a craft, your stamps are great! Which type of block did you end up liking? I tried a few when I was doing a bunch of stamp carving a couple years ago and speedy carve was the one I had the best success with.
1 Like
Thanks! I actually ended up liking some Speedball Red Baron blocks that I have had since my kids were homeschooling. They’re light in color enough that transfered designs are easy to see and still easier to carve than any other lino I tried despite sitting in a drawer for several years. I also have a coupon code for them at Blick which doesn’t hurt. The Speedball pink block is very very easy to carve, better than the white eraser, I just wasn’t thrilled with how it worked with the graphite transfer paper. I am going to turn it into a bunch of small stamps while I wait for more of the Red Barons to get here.
1 Like
3 Likes
Wow, that IS a large and very complex design! I do love the stamps you did, especially the adorable snail! Very cool to have your bike shop logo on a stamp, too!
1 Like
These are fun! I’m really looking forward to seeing the linocuts you’ll make!
1 Like
So cute and fun!
1 Like
Thank you @Bunny1kenobi @TheMistressT @Tapestry !!
I’m slightly obsessed now. Made another stamp yesterday for one of my ink box cards. The next batch of supplies can’t get here soon enough…
3 Likes
I love that you went from something small to test it out straight to a big, intricate design! I can’t wait to see more!
1 Like
The snail mail always makes me giggle when I see it anywhere. Good choice.
1 Like
Your stamps look great.
I love making rubber stamps. It’s such a satisfying craft to do when you don’t have a lot of time. And block cutting is great, too. It’s oddly relaxing just cutting away those little pieces.
1 Like