I found another great book at my library -- Print & Stamp Lab: 52 Ideas for Handmade, Upcycled Print Tools. Some of these ideas I've tried before, but many are new to me. Author Traci Bunkers turns all kinds of household stuff -- rubber bands, flip flops -- into stamps.
My inner Type A self wants to try every one of the 52 projects. I started with an easy one, involving cheap foam beads.
I got them for a dollar at -- where else -- my local dollar store. The bag was filled with colorful shapes -- squares, circles and hearts. (I was sure that I wouldn't use the hearts -- but I was sure wrong.)
Each bead was made of 5 foam layers, sandwiched together. I figured this was too thick for a stamp, so I pulled apart the layers into 2 halves. I altered the shapes (the foam is easy to cut) and then mounted them on wooden dominoes from my stash. I used E6000 to adhere the foam.
Once I started, I couldn't stop. But that was ok, since my dollar bag contained lots and lots of beads. Turns out that stuff I learned in geometry way back when still comes in useful.
I snuck in another project from the book -- using a foam spacer for pedicures. Another dollar store find.
After I left my new stamps to dry overnight, I experimented with different types of ink. Here are some of the impressions:
How fun are these?
Those are fun! It's amazing what fun things you can find at the Dollar Store.
ReplyDeleteYep. I try not to feel too guilty about consuming cheap crap from China. But it's easier to experiment with things that cost only a dollar.
DeleteHow cooL!
ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas and they turned out so great! So did you get the dominoes from the dollar store too (another time)? I love that idea of attaching the foam to them. genius!
ReplyDeleteI found the dominos at various thrift stores. The ones made from light-colored wood are harder to find than the black ones, I think.
DeleteWhat fun, I can take this to work with my adult day services clients. They can make their own stamps and then create their own original artworks with the stamps they made. It's one of those right under your nose ideas that makes one wonder "why didn't I think of that"? Can't wait to see what they do with this one. Thanks for sharing I have already ordered a used version of this book.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea, Mary! There are other ideas in the book I bet your clients would enjoy.
DeleteGreat idea. i was eyeing those foam bits just the other day! But what I bought was a silicone 2-headed spatula, and a silicone baster. Going to have some play time soon.
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