Carving Stamps

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!).

Carving Stamps
 
Carving Stamps
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.)
Carving Stamps
Geninne, your book is amazing, thanks for the inspiration!

33 Comments
  • erin

    January 29, 2013 at 6:03 am

    Your 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 am

    The 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 am

    OOOH! Me likey!

  • kat

    January 29, 2013 at 8:48 am

    Love the black with the chartreuse leaves.

  • Rossie

    January 29, 2013 at 9:36 am

    What beautiful stamps! I love the arrow!

  • lau

    January 29, 2013 at 9:55 am

    Ohhh 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 am

    Ack! 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 pm

    You 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 pm

    I 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 pm

    yes 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 pm

    You’ll have fun with her book!

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 29, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Thank you Charlie, I can’t wait to work on stamping some fabric!

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 29, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    Thank you!

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 29, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    Thanks Kat, I liked the way that turned out too.

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 29, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    Thanks Rossie! That arrow is one of my favorites.

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 29, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    Thank you Lau!

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 29, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    You know you have to do this girl.

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 29, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    That sounds fun!

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 29, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    I 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 pm

    A 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 pm

    Lovely 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 am

    These 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 am

    love 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 am

    That is so lovely and inspiring! I love the layers you did in your sketchbook.

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 30, 2013 at 10:45 am

    Thank you Courtney! It is very fun, if you decide to try it

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 30, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    You’ll love the book. Thank you Sanae!

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 30, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    It’s time to revisit!

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 30, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    I do that with craft books too!

  • Cheryl

    February 2, 2013 at 7:34 am

    So loverly… (But how did I miss you were writing a book? That’s wonderful!)

  • blair/wisecraft

    February 3, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    Thank you Cheryl! I’m excited about it!

  • Frances

    February 5, 2013 at 5:24 am

    I 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 pm

    Frances thank you for that idea, ingenious! I am going to try it!

  • christy

    March 9, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    i love this craft! and so do my kids! we love making our own xmas card linocuts too!

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