Carving Stamps
When I turned in the first draft of the manuscript for my book a few weeks ago, the first thing I did was treat myself to a few new craft books. While busy writing, I had avoided purchasing new books that would distract me. But now I was in the mood for someone to tell me how to make something. I happily flipped and got inspired for a couple of days, and one of my favorites is Geninne Zlatkis’s book Making An Impression. I have been inspired by Geninne online for years, and it was just as inspiring to read about her process of hand carving stamps. And, as luck (and a stocked craft room) would have it, I happened to have some easy carve blocks and the needed carving tool on hand. (I love it when I can immediately jump in!).
I did a little stamp carving a few years ago and, for whatever reason, did not take to it at all. This time was different, although I can’t pinpoint exactly why. I have already used them in my sketchbook and I’m thinking it is time to play with them on some fabric. (Just happen to have some fabric paint too.)
Geninne, your book is amazing, thanks for the inspiration!
erin
January 29, 2013 at 6:03 amYour stamps are fantastic! I love how they look layered on the page in your sketch book. I just picked up her book, too. It’s so inspiring.
Charlie
January 29, 2013 at 7:11 amThe stamps look great. I like the way the colours work with subtlety an a bit of yellow zing. Look forward to seeing how the fabrics turn out!
Jean
January 29, 2013 at 8:43 amOOOH! Me likey!
kat
January 29, 2013 at 8:48 amLove the black with the chartreuse leaves.
Rossie
January 29, 2013 at 9:36 amWhat beautiful stamps! I love the arrow!
lau
January 29, 2013 at 9:55 amOhhh so beautiful are your stamps!!! Kisses from Argentina!! I’m Lau and my blog bulubu.blogspot.com.ar bye!!!
allbuttonedup
January 29, 2013 at 10:16 amAck! I have a carving tool I’ve never used, and a block of rubber untouched. Clearly I need to remedy this.
Katie
January 29, 2013 at 12:15 pmYou should try stamping these onto fabric and embroider around them! It was one of our favorite projects in the surface class before the department was dropped and they’re great to use in quilt pieces.
Melissa Crowe
January 29, 2013 at 12:52 pmI tried a while back, too–bought all the tools and everything–and I felt like I couldn’t get anything to look right. Maybe I just need the book!
Molly
January 29, 2013 at 2:17 pmyes yes yes!!! i just carved my first stamp last week (a moustache, natch), and was blown over by a) how simple, and b) how satisfying. and now, am consumed by the desire to carve more.
yours, blair, are absolutely stunning. ditto erin’s comment about the gorgeous sketchbook example. just beautiful. i think it’s that one-off nature of them that so compels, the mark of the maker, the irrefutable hand-craftedness of them.
(have you figured out how best to hold them? my only challenge was the floppy factor. i found myself wanting to sneak blocks from my childrens’ block box, to superglue on to the back for structure. i didn’t. but i’m tempted.)
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:30 pmYou’ll have fun with her book!
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:30 pmThank you Charlie, I can’t wait to work on stamping some fabric!
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:31 pmThank you!
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:31 pmThanks Kat, I liked the way that turned out too.
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:31 pmThanks Rossie! That arrow is one of my favorites.
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:31 pmThank you Lau!
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:32 pmYou know you have to do this girl.
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:32 pmThat sounds fun!
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:33 pmI think the first time I tried carving stamps, I was under the impression that you had to remove lots of the linoleum in the negative spaces, so it was hard and tiresome. I didn’t really need to remove that much, I realize that now. Give it a try!
blair/wisecraft
January 29, 2013 at 8:34 pmA moustache! That’s so awesome! I wanna see. I can see where the floppy factor might come into play. Let me know if the blocks on the back work (if you’re brave enough to grab one and try).
Sanae
January 29, 2013 at 10:31 pmLovely stamps! I’ve loved Geninne’s work for years but didn’t know that she had a book out. Thanks for the info!
sewkatiedid
January 30, 2013 at 6:33 amThese are gorgeous. I use to make stamps all the time when I was little…what ever happen to that?
mail@seamsoeasy.com
January 30, 2013 at 6:47 amlove it. I got her book as my christmas treat to myself (always end up being craft books, funny that!) and adore how easy the craft was. Never having craved before it was wonderful and so easy to do.
Courtney Quiet City
January 30, 2013 at 10:13 amThat is so lovely and inspiring! I love the layers you did in your sketchbook.
blair/wisecraft
January 30, 2013 at 10:45 amThank you Courtney! It is very fun, if you decide to try it
blair/wisecraft
January 30, 2013 at 7:30 pmYou’ll love the book. Thank you Sanae!
blair/wisecraft
January 30, 2013 at 7:31 pmIt’s time to revisit!
blair/wisecraft
January 30, 2013 at 7:31 pmI do that with craft books too!
Cheryl
February 2, 2013 at 7:34 amSo loverly… (But how did I miss you were writing a book? That’s wonderful!)
blair/wisecraft
February 3, 2013 at 5:56 pmThank you Cheryl! I’m excited about it!
Frances
February 5, 2013 at 5:24 amI made stamps with Gennine and after I made little holders out of polymer clay. Worked like a charm and I could control the shape and size. I just scored the stamp and hot glued the handle I made to it. I tell you it increased my satisfaction and the stamps leave a better impression.
blair/wisecraft
February 5, 2013 at 7:38 pmFrances thank you for that idea, ingenious! I am going to try it!
christy
March 9, 2013 at 7:18 pmi love this craft! and so do my kids! we love making our own xmas card linocuts too!