Kellene Giloff, editor of The Stamper's Sampler and Somerset Studio magazines, explains how to create rubber stamps from photocopied images, nail-polish remover, a linoleum cutter and art erasers. These stamps work best with simple images and are very inexpensive to make. Materials:
SpeedballB. Linoleum Cutters
Speedball Linoleum-Cutter Handle
Staedtler White ErasersB.
Photocopied images
Acetone nail-polish remover
Cotton balls or tissue
Sandpaper
- Sand the logo side of an eraser so that it is completely smooth. Images can now be carved on one or both sides.
- Place the photocopied image face down on the eraser. Soak a tissue or cotton ball with nail-polish remover, and rub over the back of the image (figure A). This should transfer the image to the eraser (figure B). If you prefer, draw an image of your own on the eraser instead.
- Starting with a smaller linoleum cutter (mounted in the handle), scoop closely around edges of the image (figure C).
- Use a larger cutter to scoop away the rest of the "negative space" of the eraser, leaving only the raised image (figure D).
- Test stamp the image to see where additional eraser should be cut away, carve as needed, and stamp again until you're pleased with the result.
Tips: - Make sure images that you photocopy are copyright-free. You can find them in clip-art books at bookstores and art-supply stores. Images should be simple -- not heavily detailed.
- Make sure the image will fit within the edges of the eraser before attempting to transfer it.
- Nail-polish remover used in this project must contain acetone.
- You may want to cut around the image two or three times with the smaller cutter before using the larger one to cut away the rest of the eraser surface.
- Although you may continue cutting away the eraser surface, some eraser carvers prefer to leave some of the eraser surface "streaks" to give it a hand-carved look.
- Images may be carved on the top and bottom of the eraser surface -- and along the sides as well.
- Large images may be carved from Safety-KutB., a large, soft eraserlike product.
- This is an inexpensive method for creating casual alphabets and smaller, simple images. Because the primitive look is so popular today, carved images don't need to be perfect. In fact, imperfect designs will give your stamped artwork a customized look (figure E).
RESOURCES :
Nasco Arts and Crafts
Nasco Arts and Crafts
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0901
Phone: 920-563-2446
Fax: 920-563-8296
Email: info@nascofa.com
Website: www.nascofa.com
Magazines The Stamper's Sampler and Somerset Studio
Stampington & Company
Website: www.stampington.com
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