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16 April 2018

Found Materials Stamping Artists Use To Create Professional Designs

By Jessica Cook


Most people have seen interesting stamped designs on stationary and textiles and wondered how it was done. Some designs are intricate while others seem so simple you think you should be able to do it yourself. The truth is you can. With some inexpensive tools, fruits, vegetables and blocks you can create the same kinds of designs that make stamping artists so in demand.

Instead of purchasing commercial stamps from art supply stores, you should take a look around and see what kind of found materials you can use to create unique designs. Many fruits and vegetables make great stamps. You might start experimenting with an apple, for instance. Just cut it in half, apply paint, and stamp. Backpacks and wall hangings are a couple of the projects you might try.

Erasers work well as stamps. You could use ones on the end of pencils or choose individual erasers. These work well for small projects like cards and wrapping paper. This is one of the projects you can get your children involved in, especially if you are using pencil erasers. The pencil makes it easy for little fingers to control the design and placement of the paint.

Using vegetables you have in your crisper is another way to create interesting and unique designs that will have everyone guessing how you managed it. Before you throw out that cabbage head you never got around to using, trying turning it into a stamp. Cut off one end so all the interior layers are exposed. Dip it into the paint holding onto the other end and apply it to paper, fabric, or canvas.

If you are like a lot of people, you have a button box filled with extra buttons. These make great stamps for greeting cards, wrapping paper and stationary. This is probably not a project you want a small child involved in. Once paint gets on the buttons, they get slippery and messy. Tiny kids might even decide to swallow them.

Leaves and small branches can make beautiful designs when you are attempting a larger project. They are so unique and distinctive, you will have to be careful not to use too many on your painting surface. They can be beautiful added to fabric panels for French doors. You are going to need young sturdy leaves, not the older brittle ones.

If you're really creative, and want to create your own stamps, you could carve wood blocks, linoleum tiles, or some other medium appropriate for engraving. You will need some supplies for this project. A carving knife and brayer in addition to paint are necessary. Once you have your stamp carved, you can use it over and over if you wash it with warm water after you're finished.

Once you have done some experimenting, you will probably become pretty proficient at the technique. You might even earn some extra money selling your creations at local arts and crafts shows. The more creative you are, the more interesting your work will be to others.




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