Halloween Stamp Ideas

I'd like to carve some Halloween stamps. I'm thinking a bat like a tattoo I saw on a woman at Joann's yesterday. She had a bat on each collar bone. I could stamp a temporary tattoo on myself. That would be fun. And vampires of course are all the rage because of the Twilight movies. So maybe a fang stamp or something. I should make some Halloween (Samhain) cards for my pagan friends. I know I have some skull pirate stamps I've carved in the past. So where are they? I'm not the most organized person in the world. Out of sight out of mind. Which is why I don't like to put anything away. It may be years before I happen upon it again.

In Answer to Your Questions Chimerastone

Thanks for your tips. Sometimes I draw directly on the eraser. Most often I trace around the eraser on my sketch pad, and work out a design first. When I find one I like I'll draw it directly onto the eraser.
Sometimes you can remove the printed on labels with some nail polish remover on a rag.

You can make tranfers using graphite paper or there is an oil method where you print out a design on the type of printer that leaves ink on the paper, then place it ink side touching the stamp and rub a rag with mineral oil on it (I think it's mineral oil but it might be turpentine). It's been a long time since I did any that way but it gives a high level of accuracy if you are doing portrait stamps). And of course you can always take a carved stamp, stamp it on a blank stamp, and carve it all over again. Each one will come out a little different but facing the opposite way.

I use all sizes of erasers, even the eraser tops of pencils for mini stamps. I've never noticed them being grainy. I get most of my erasers at the dollar stores or right before school starts there are a lot in Target, Walmart, and other department stores that have school supplies or office supplies. Then I stock up. If you want to carve big stamps it's better to just order carving blocks by the sheet from Nasco or Speedball or another supplier.

Archery, Grumpy Fairy and Handmade

I made three stamps today out of eraser stock.

Monkey Fever

Yesterday I set out to carve a monkey stamp, and it was so much fun I stamped the stamp on a clean eraser, and carved another monkey,then another. Now I have a whole barrel full of monkeys.

I also carved a steampunk stamp, then forgot to take a photo of it. I'll have to do it today.

Panda and Monkey

I just carved 2 stamps for the Zombie Nanner Gang challenge. One is Punky Panda and the other is Drunk Monkey. We have a different theme each day.

Sealing Wax

When I got back from my trip my boyfriend had 3 presents for me. I sure was surprised. He got me a kit with a seal and sealing wax, a tiny marblelized journal, and 4 pirate skeleton beads. The seal is of a harp to go with my last name 'harper'. So now I have more things to add to my art journal. So many things go well with rubber stamping. It truly does lend itself to mixed media. He showed me a tutorial on using the stamp and the guy said to lick the stamp first before pressing it in hot wax so it will release better. Never tried that one before. Not exactly sanitary...lol.

Somewhere from years ago I bought sealing wax and seals. I wonder where those got off too?

Bow, Arrow and Teapot stamps

Even though I'm depressed I thought making stamps might take my mind off of things. But I kept making mistakes so I gave up after 2 stamps. The teapot stamp is okay, but the archery stamp originally had the word 'archery' carved on the bow. But the letters were too hard to read and I cut the leg off the 'R' so I ended up carving the letters away which left weird little ragged edges on the bow. On the string of the bow, on the very second cut of the stamp, I cut through the string (oopsy). And the arrowhead looked pretty good but when I was cleaning up around it, I knicked it. Sigh. I have other things on my mind and my focus is off. As is my coordination.

More Carved Stamps on Etsy

I found another cool blog by a stamper here: http://cupcaketreedesigns.blogspot.com/ I feel a little guilty because I haven't carved any stamps lately. Maybe I should go out on my patio today in the spring sunshine and carve some. It wouldn't kill me. I never lack for ideas, that's for sure. It's more a matter of time. So hop over and enjoy her blog. She has some great stamps for sale at very reasonable prices. I love the 'olive u' one. Knock knock who's there? Olive. Olive who? Olive you.

Address Stamps

I need to make up some sample address stamps. I don't really want my home address on the internet so I'll have to make up an address or use one for a commercial shop or something. Hmmm.
I have so many ideas today my head is spinning. I almost envy people that can never think of anything to make. I have the opposite problem. My head is so bursting with ideas, it's hard to focus and finish anything. This morning alone I thought of a new amigurumi mouse, a necklace made with fiber 'cocoon beads', a wire Easter basket, and some more folk art paintings. Ack my brain is full.

When carving an address stamp, don't forget to carve all letters and symbols backwards.