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Decorative rubber stamps are a great way to adorn everything from wedding invitations to T-shirts with your own personal artwork, name or cause. Designs fall into hundreds of categories, so there has to be at least one stamp that suits each individual’s personality. A warning is appropriate here, because enthusiasts claim collecting rubber stamps is one of the most addictive hobbies, so you may well find yourself collecting them after browsing all the beautiful and funny examples available.
What is this Unusual Hobby?
Rubber stamping is a way to transfer a design from a carved, molded, or laser engraved flat rubber shape, mounted on a strong handle made of wood or hard plastic, by pressing it firmly down on an ink stamp pad, then stamping articles like envelopes, invitations and bags.
A Brief History of Decorative Rubber Stamps
Decorative rubbers stamps evolved from the purely functional ones used to identify goods as early as 1866. Stamps entered the hobby scene a lot later when craft companies first saw the vast possibilities offered by pre-made and custom designs in the 70’s. By the turn of the century, millions of hobbyists all over the world were buying and collecting decorative rubber stamps.
Getting Started with Decorative Rubber Stamps
For the novice, a basic kit should include a few stamps, a good mix of messages such as “Happy Birthday”, some flowers or graphics that appeal to your personal sense of style and humor and one larger scenic design to allow some challenge and variety. Many beginners buy far too many stamps, only to find their tastes change very quickly. Inks can be selected in toning or complimenting shades or pairs like black and gold, for example, which suit many different projects. A variety of cards, writing paper and some scrap paper for practice completes the kit. Keep a pack of wet tissues for quick clean ups with the craft supplies, as permanent inks quickly stain hands. These can also be used to clean the ink from stamps after use.
Advanced Techniques and Tips
Some of the most charming examples involve using more than one color at the same time on one stamp. Marker pens can achieve very satisfactory results for this technique. This may also lead to later experimentation with watercolor or acrylic paints and striped ink pads.
Once the basics are mastered, larger projects like bags or T-shirts featuring your favorite stamps lead to offering crafts for the local church bazaar. Suddenly you find yourself involved in a network of like minded folks who exchange information over internet forums and the mail brings a monthly magazine about your new hobby. The gentle world of decorative rubber stamps has claimed another victim!
Designing and carving your own motifs on blank stamps ensures unique artwork, and requires specialized tools available at local and online craft supply sources. The inspiration for creating these special stamps could be a family wedding, where they would shine as the most original of gift ideas, or a way of marking items for the new school term.
A Few Last Words
Whatever role decorative rubber stamps come to play in your life, from becoming an all-consuming passion to simply being the most efficient way to mark library books, the rainbow of ink colors and array of exquisite designs will delight the eyes for years to come.
