Hand-Carving a Snowflake Stamp - "tutorial" - step-by-step process (IMAGE HEAVY)

[Rusty]

When I blog about these projects or just post up pictures somewhere about my stamps, I get asked several questions about the process.
This post will hopefully inspire anyone curious about the process to Go For It! (it's so easy) and I'll also be able to refer to it in the future if someone would like to know how it's done.

Without further ado - the birth of a handcarved stamp.

1) I start with a search on the internet, or in magazines, for an image of what I'd like to carve - I use it as a general guide.


2) I gauge how big I want the stamp to be, and draw my cutting lines on the carving block (Speedycut was used here).


3) I use my way-nifty Speedball cutting multi-tipped tool to slice that sucker up.


4) I don't even have to cut all the way through - a deep enough cut will give me a clean break.


5) Then I sketch, generally in pencil, what I'd like to carve. I have to be careful not to create grooves or nicks in the block with the pencil tip, however.


6) I start carving by cutting around the picture with a larger tip.

7) Then I start carving out the details with a smaller tip.


Sometimes I take breaks...


9) But finally, I complete the stamp.


10) I mix up the color I want to use with Speedball ink and use a brayer to roll it across the stamp - I'm looking for anything that's picking up ink that shouldn't be.


11) I make a lot of prints, trying to get the balance of pressure and ink right.


12) Finished!


For these more delicate designs, I think I need to pick up some ink-drying retarder - the sticky nature of the ink does not lend itself well to small lines.

Still, I'm happy!

[PolymerJanna]

that ROCKS!

[Calliel]

Pretty! I'd never have the patience to carve out those tiny details

[Michela]

Thats beautifuk! Wish I had the patiences to sit and carve something like that. Guess I'll have to stick to mass produced stamps lol

[Narimasu]

Excellent tutorial! Thanks! And a really pretty stamp!

[radpants]

thanks for the great tutorial! i've been trying to figure out the best way to go about making stamps and this will get me started on the right foot

[Mienna]

You are the BEST! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial!

[LOaccidentallyVE]

This reminds me of the stamping project we did in summer school in 2006. :] Only we used linoleum tiles and we had to heat them so we could carve out the design. I like what ya did.

[Muria]

Clearly I now need a speedball multi tip cutting tool.    Your stamp looks great!

[watermonster]

That's a really helpful tutorial.

What I really like about stamps such as these is their wide range of uses. If it's a flat surface - it can be used. I'm imagining the stamp looking really pretty in a winter-themed room.

[piaochong]

wow thank you very much for the tutorial, its really awesome, and easy to follow. your snow flake is amazing, and your attention to detail is too!
thank you!

[ademareej]

I love that snowflake...nice tut, also.  Helpful to see how someone else does it, since I just kind of got some materials and started winging it.

[PurpleHeather]

Thanks for this tutorial - very informative.  I think that for my first stamps I'm going to stick to larger lines/areas, but certainly going to give it a go.

[Galadriel]

Ooo - I love that snow flake and thanks for the tutorial!

[Meggers]

Great tutorial! You made it seem really simple. I may just have to try this out sometime soon.

[minouette]

Nice work! Lovely block and colour selection!

[stringofpearls]

Clearing away the parts that shouldn't be inked is the hardest part for me. I always seem to cut off a little extra on accident.

[SunnyDawn]

Nicely done, wonderful detail!  It sure beats the year I made each hand made Christmas card different, what was I thinking! I've just gotten into block printing so I will have to do something like this this year!

[Suzuka]

This is absolutely phenomenal!  Thanks for going through the process

[Craft Junkie]

Nice tutorial! Wish I had seen it before I dove into stamp carving...it would have probably saved me a few mess-ups along the way. LOL My next go is to do a doily carve...wish me luck.
Peace & Love,
~Barb~

[ThinkPurple]

Thank you for the tutorial I'd never even though of making a stamp before, now I think I might want to try it!

[Audania1]

This is so cool! I think you just twisted my arm into getting into hand carved stamps....   

[puamelia]

Thank you for the excellent tutorial. Now I have to find where I stashed my brayer. Clearly, I need better cutting tools, although the box cutter I used for my first try did what I needed it too, albeit not so detailed as your beautiful snowflake. Aloha!

[Coccinellid]

Clearly I now need a speedball multi tip cutting tool.    Your stamp looks great!

Me too! Thanks, this was inspiring! 

[sewmystyle]

Your hard work has paid off, such and intricate design.