Make Your Own Rubberstamps with 3 Things You (probably) Already Have

I've been making my own rubberstamps for years now.  I didn't realize how easy it was until, one day while homeschooling, we came across a hobby called letterboxing.  (Think geocaching without the techy-ness!)

I'm going to show you how you can make your own rubberstamps with 3 common items you probably already have around the house...pink (or white) eraser, a pencil, and a craft knife.

Ready?  Let's go!

Here are few of the erasers I happen to have right now.  The big blue one and the owl are from the Dollar Tree and you can make several stamps from each.  The pink and white erasers are your common school erasers.  I pick these up at the back-to-school sales for very little money.

For this project, I'm going to use what's left of the big blue eraser.

So begin by deciding on your stamp design.  I'm making a feather design today.  Draw out (or trace) your design onto a piece of paper so that you can get the right size to fit your eraser.

Next, copy your design by tracing it onto your eraser.  Then, so that you don't make some of the mistakes I have in the past, write "cut" on the areas that will be cut away.

Now, before you begin cutting away the outside, take the craft knife and cut around the outside of your design.  This will help give you a cleaner edge to your finished stamp.

Begin cutting away the outside area.  Since mine is so large, I've cut it into smaller areas.  This will help keep you from removing more than you intend to.  It's easiest to insert the craft knife into the side and slice out little pieces at a time.  

Messy, isn't it?  It's okay.  That part doesn't matter.  Just make sure that the area you cut away is lower than your design area or it will pick up the ink and it will show once you stamp it.

Grab the 3rd item on our list...the pencil.  Pull out the eraser (the eraser of newer pencils are easier to remove).  This is going to be our carving tool.

Pinch one side to a point to use for carving.

Use your pencil tool to gently carve out the lines of your design's details.  It takes very little to make an impression so hold the pencil almost parallel to the stamp...don't try to dig deep into it.

Got all the details carved!  Gently wipe away any crumbs and we're ready to test this baby.

Not bad!  But...

I decided it needed a few more detail lines to look more feather-like.  Now!  I like it ;)

Here are some of the other rubberstamps I've made from erasers over the years.  

Wanna see some ways to use your stamps?

I used the Ball mason jar stamp to embellish my business card holders for a convention.  The little envelope contained a small treat.

Label for camping snacks! (My family camps every fall...maiden name is Rule, so named it 

Camp Rule!)  One tip, if you do text on your stamp...it must be mirror image.  I've learned that by making way too many mistakes. 

Stamp your design onto webbing and wrap a candle for a cute look!

Or, use your stamp to embellish a coffee cup!  Use an alcohol based ink like those by Tim Holtz or others that are made for stamping on metal, glass, or glazed surfaces.  These will, of course, be handwash only...but they sure are cute!

I hope I've inspired you to make your own rubberstamps.  I'd love to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

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