It's been awhile since I've carved stamps, but it's definitely something I really love to do, and find it very relaxing. If you've never done this before don't let it intimidate you! It really is fun and easier then you think. Stick to a simple design the first time around. I use soft white or grey carving rubber that can be found online or at your local art store. There are several different types of cutters you can choose from. My suggestion is to pick one that comes with several different cutting ends. The one I have pictured here is made by Speedball.
Step 1. Draw with a pencil your design like I did above or you can trace a design you like onto the rubber using graphite paper. Its probably a good idea here to remind you
NOT to do what I did and write your wording the right direction....what I meant to do was write it backwards, so when it's stamped it reads the correct way ( Obviously I was sniffing paint fumes when I was doing mine!), but not all is lost (see below).
2. Carefully carve your stamp (small cuts are better then big ones). Just in case you accidental forget to write your wording backwards like me LOL You can use an xacto knife to cut around your image like I did above.
Step 3. Next color your postcard background
using chalk inks direct to paper. Keep lighter
colors towards the center and the darker
colors towards the edges.
Step 4. Ink and stamp your stamp (I usually mist the
stamp very lightly with water to make it juicy before I stamp it).
Step 5. Using fine gel pens, paint pens or micron pens outline your stamped image and add detail to it (Notice how the detailing helped pop the stamped image).
Step 6. Next I added a piece of printed transparency over the image (it helps add depth). You can adhere with brads, two-way sticky tape around the edges, vellum tape or run it through your Xyron.
Finished Carved Mermaid Postcard
*Giveaway*
Would you like this Postcard sent to you?
Leave me a comment and include your EMAIL (this is a must or I can't contact you) and I'll have my son draw a name 2 weeks from now and whose ever name he pulls I'll mail you the postcard to YOU! :-)
Don't forget about OTM's Summer Sizzle Special
Click the link below for the coupon code:
Labels: Mermaid, stamp carving, tutorial
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2008/07/carved-mermaid-postcard-giveaway.html"
title="permanent
link"># Posted by Aileen (Pronounced A-Leen) @ |
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Step 1. Draw with a pencil your design like I did above or you can trace a design you like onto the rubber using graphite paper. Its probably a good idea here to remind you NOT to do what I did and write your wording the right direction....what I meant to do was write it backwards, so when it's stamped it reads the correct way ( Obviously I was sniffing paint fumes when I was doing mine!), but not all is lost (see below).
2. Carefully carve your stamp (small cuts are better then big ones). Just in case you accidental forget to write your wording backwards like me LOL You can use an xacto knife to cut around your image like I did above.
Step 3. Next color your postcard background
Step 4. Ink and stamp your stamp (I usually mist the 
Step 5. Using fine gel pens, paint pens or micron pens outline your stamped image and add detail to it (Notice how the detailing helped pop the stamped image).
Step 6. Next I added a piece of printed transparency over the image (it helps add depth). You can adhere with brads, two-way sticky tape around the edges, vellum tape or run it through your Xyron.
Finished Carved Mermaid Postcard
52 Comments:
What could be better than a beautiful mermaid stamp! Great tutorial (as always) and wonderful stamp.
Joanne
By
Joanne Huffman, at Wed Jul 23, 06:12:00 PM 2008
Well you know how much I love mermaids!! This is so cool! Thank you again for easy to follow directions (I have all those supplies in Alabama and have never used them!)
hugs,
jackie
dixiespell@aol.com
By
jackie, at Wed Jul 23, 08:31:00 PM 2008
Lovely design and great job carving it!
By
Zeborah Loray, at Wed Jul 23, 09:01:00 PM 2008
WOW...that is beautiful Aileen!!! I would love to receive that postcard!! You are sooo talented and I am sooo lucky to have found your blog!! Here's my e-mail addy just in case...
wwilloww@yahoo.com
By
Willow, at Wed Jul 23, 09:26:00 PM 2008
Great stamp!
And since I have mermaids of various shapes and sizes all over my art room walls, winning your postcard would be devine.
I also love your stamp. Care to sell it to me?
Here's my e-mail in case you draw my name: cafeartiste@hotmail.com
Thanks!
Andrea
By
CafeArtiste, at Wed Jul 23, 10:51:00 PM 2008
What a great stamp! I haven't carved for ages... I must do some more now you've created the urge!!
I'd love this postcard - fingers crossed!
Rosie (NGS)
rrdianic@gmail.com
By
Rosie, at Thu Jul 24, 01:28:00 AM 2008
That is a great tutorial! I cant wait to try some carving myself! I would love to see your postcard in real! hugs, monique.verbeek@gmail.com
By
Moniqui, at Thu Jul 24, 03:04:00 AM 2008
wow ... what a FUN mermaid! Thanks for sharing your tutorial.
jan
By
dejavucreations, at Thu Jul 24, 04:03:00 AM 2008
hi aileen
beautiful carving and great 'tut'e :) i remember doing this in high school and it was fun then-i am sure it still is:)
thanks for sharing i would love a chance at your postcard
enjoy your day
tabby
tjo196@aol.com
By
crooked heart art~tabby, at Thu Jul 24, 04:56:00 AM 2008
Aileen,
As always your work is amazing. Thanks for sharing your talent!
Sondra Jo
marahet254@bresnan.net
By
Anonymous, at Thu Jul 24, 06:01:00 AM 2008
Aileen, you always have wonderful tutorials and project inspiration. The mermaid stamp is wonderful. I am truly inspired and feel the need to run to Hobby Lobby and get more supplies to try this.
Denise
alphaneenee@yahoo.com
By
Alphaneenee, at Thu Jul 24, 06:03:00 AM 2008
Aileen, that is just the coolest stamp!! I would love to receive that postcard.
Note to Aileen's son: pick me pick me pick me!! (smiles)
SLGoodloe@hotmail.com
By
Sherry Goodloe, at Thu Jul 24, 06:04:00 AM 2008
Hi, The postcard is beautiful. I love the detail in the hair and tail. Thanks for the chance to win. utahdevines@gmail.com
By
Carla Devine, at Thu Jul 24, 06:16:00 AM 2008
This piece is outstanding! I have got to try carving my own stamps. You always give such great tutorials. I would love to receive this postcard.
donna
paytonsgramma@msn.com
By
Anonymous, at Thu Jul 24, 06:23:00 AM 2008
ADD ME!!
Deana
deezart2008@aol.com
By
Deana, at Thu Jul 24, 06:58:00 AM 2008
This mermaid stamp ROCKS! I'm so impressed with your writing, even if it needed to be backwards. Girl, you could design stamps!
By
christygrant, at Thu Jul 24, 07:08:00 AM 2008
Jaw dropping amazing.. love it.
Judy
judysheart@gmail.com
By
Judy, at Thu Jul 24, 09:23:00 AM 2008
GORGEOUS! We are a bit mermaid and sea crazy in this house :-) Love this stamp... it may inspire me to actually pick up that piece of rubber and carving tool... thanks for sharing, as always.
Lisa
Mrscooz@gmail.com
By
Anonymous, at Thu Jul 24, 09:43:00 AM 2008
Wow! I love the colors....... really looks inspired by the ocean. Fabulous talent, TFS.
Penney
penney.klaproth@cox.net
By
Penney, at Thu Jul 24, 10:00:00 AM 2008
Hi Aileen,
I have never carved a stamp but you make it sound easy. Love the look--I have an entire area of mermaid art in my workroom.
Autumn Labbe-Renault
autumn@dcn.org
By
to Autumn Light Designs, at Thu Jul 24, 10:21:00 AM 2008
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT Just like all the things you do. I really enjoy your web site. Keep up the good work.
Kim Miner
By
Anonymous, at Thu Jul 24, 10:29:00 AM 2008
Love it. I'm in.
By
Cindy, at Thu Jul 24, 12:58:00 PM 2008
This looks so easy. I must try it. Your mermaid turned out so pretty!
Marilyn
hrt2art@yahoo.com
By
Marilyn, at Thu Jul 24, 02:02:00 PM 2008
She's so pretty. Thank you for sharing the tutorial, you make it look so easy! Please put me in the drawing!
Amy
atclong@yahoo.com
By
Amybella, at Thu Jul 24, 02:13:00 PM 2008
This is BEAUTIFUL!!!
artbeth67@yahoo.com
By
artbeth67, at Thu Jul 24, 06:07:00 PM 2008
By golly this sure looks like fun and something even I could do...You did a wonderful job in explaining your steps and the way you salvaged your stamp when you wrote the words the wrong direction gives me hope that if I screw it up I can call you for advice.
Jean Carter jeancart@woh.rr.com
By
Jean-activeimagination, at Thu Jul 24, 06:42:00 PM 2008
love your carving...I have done two carvings but just shapes and such...prefer your mermaid...just beautiful!!!!
thanks for sharing it all~
Ellie
Jibaro6543@aol.com
By
ELLIE, at Thu Jul 24, 09:51:00 PM 2008
I have seen good carving but your work is TOPS! Truly beautiful.
Thanks for sharing.
-Julie
By
Cross Stitch Fan, at Fri Jul 25, 07:33:00 AM 2008
Love the mermaid Aileen. I've tried to post here a few times with no luck...my message never comes up.
Jane W.
janewid@hotmail.com
PS I think I should win as I knew all of the answers in the precious clay class. lol
By
Anonymous, at Fri Jul 25, 11:50:00 AM 2008
aaaaaaaaaaaah it worked I never did the lettery identity thingy. lol
Jane W.
janewid@hotmail.com
By
Anonymous, at Fri Jul 25, 11:51:00 AM 2008
Love the mermaid and all your other creations and tutorials that you post.
Rena
rossat@telusplanet.net
By
Rena Sawatski, at Fri Jul 25, 12:17:00 PM 2008
What a great inspiration. I've had a hunk of carving rubber and the tools for quite some time now. This was the inspiration I needed to get down to brass tacks and DO it.
Beryl
foodie14612@yahoo.com
By
BCD67, at Fri Jul 25, 12:46:00 PM 2008
Thank you so much. I have been dying to try and create a stamp and you are the first person to tell what supplies to use and your directions are easy enough for me to understand...which is really saying something if you knew me and how I feel about people's directions!!!
By
Peggy Louise, at Fri Jul 25, 01:06:00 PM 2008
That was a fascinating look into how you made that and it turned out incredibly well! I could follow your directions to the nth degree and mine would still look like a kindergarten fingerpainting mistake. The postcard is beautiful and I'd have to frame it on my wall as a decoration in my scrapbooking room.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth
By
blueviolet, at Fri Jul 25, 04:50:00 PM 2008
Thank you so much! I have a drawer full of erasers for carving. I have never found a good tut to use them. Where did you get the larger eraser for carving. I could only find one inch ones. Anyway, a beauiful Mermaid! You are a great artist!
I really like the transparency added also!
God bless.......Diana
By
Atoka, at Fri Jul 25, 06:12:00 PM 2008
I love the way the stamp came out and the postcard too!!! If you ever tire of this beautiful stamp, i would love to buy it from you.
Brigitte
By
Brigitte, at Fri Jul 25, 06:57:00 PM 2008
I would love to be in the drawing for the mermaid postcard. I love mermaids!
By
Karrin Hurd, at Sat Jul 26, 04:08:00 AM 2008
That is gorgeous. I want it. Did Morgan get that $20 I sent him?
By
Kris Henderson, at Sat Jul 26, 07:01:00 AM 2008
I love this technique. Please include me in the drawing. eiggam44@yahoo.com
By
Cindy, at Sat Jul 26, 07:19:00 AM 2008
It's so pretty!
leporeaz1@cox.net
By
Maija, at Sat Jul 26, 08:02:00 PM 2008
Lovely Aileen. I want to pack up and go to the beach, along with stamp carving supplies of course =o) Let her know she will have a loving home here.
Jeanette
spudkitty4@hotmail.com
By
Anonymous, at Sun Jul 27, 07:34:00 AM 2008
I just got back from the beach and i absolutely love this stamp!
By
Connie G., at Sun Jul 27, 12:50:00 PM 2008
Absolutely gorgeous! I love mermaids!
Trish - zoella_2000@yahoo.com
By
Cheeka, at Mon Jul 28, 06:25:00 PM 2008
Wow!! That is so cool! I see some new things I'm going to have to try...
By
Sarah, at Tue Jul 29, 07:53:00 AM 2008
Very Cool, I too carve rubberstamps, but not with such panache! (oh, I was also a mermaid in my last life) Keep up the good work. Claudette
By
Anonymous, at Tue Jul 29, 01:12:00 PM 2008
I left the last comment as anonymous. now I am registered as claudette. Ta Da!
By
claudette, at Tue Jul 29, 01:15:00 PM 2008
I really love mermaids and this turned out wonderful. I have never tried making my own stamp. Your directions look very simple that I think I might like to try this.
Val
By
The Desert Mermaid, at Wed Jul 30, 08:53:00 AM 2008
I love what you did with that stamp. I have always wanted to carve my own - I believe you have inspired me to try - Thank you - Sandy
By
sandi248, at Thu Jul 31, 05:32:00 PM 2008
Wow yes please I would adore that postcard
never seen a stamp made before what a great idea
Need site
Pansy_28@yahoo.com
By
Pam M, at Thu Jul 31, 07:51:00 PM 2008
She's beautiful, and would look great hanging in my studio with other ocean-themed art from my online friends! Thanks for the tutorial!
ericssonATchristianlivingDOTnet
By
Anonymous, at Thu Jul 31, 11:23:00 PM 2008
Hi, Aileen!
cool! she's lovely! i've been wanting to try to carve a stamp, and you made it look so simple! (but then again, so did my art teacher, and i dropped that class cause it was too stressful!! lol!)
I want to carve the stones of CALLANISH, of course, since i've been unable to find a stamp.
pick me and i'll play you a tune!! :~)
denise
goofypiper@yahoo.com
By
denise, at Fri Aug 01, 11:20:00 AM 2008
Aileen,
How inspirational! I'm going to get carving...love the added vellum too. Wow girl, that's great.
Carving words looks real tricky...glad you pointed that out.
Take care,
Lisa
lpaulson@puc.edu
By
Teyah44, at Mon Aug 04, 07:12:00 AM 2008
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