Rubber Stamping

Rubber stamping is a versatile, creative hobby that is becoming more popular by the day. If you are already a fan, you’ll know how it can add to just about anything to create individuality and style. Or maybe you have seen the results and want to get into it yourself. Here we will look at what you can do, how you can do it and what sort of creations you will be turning out in no time.

Rubber stamping can have decorative or practical uses. It is just as much at home in the office as in an artistic capacity, and lots of us remember enjoying it as a children’s past time. I had a little rubber stamping kit with letters, numbers and some basic designs, and nothing was safe. I loved to stamp, making messages and labelling anything. If you loved to stamp as a kid, you’ll also remember how quick and satisfying it was. That’s another thing about rubber stamping: it doesn’t take a lot of time or money, and a bigger project can be worked on in stages.

What exactly is rubber stamping? It is the use of a carved or moulded piece of rubber to dip in ink or paint of some sort, and stamped onto a surface, which is often paper or fabric but can be a variety of bases. The rubber stamp is usually mounted on a piece of wood to make it easier to use. There are plenty of ready-made rubber stamps available, but of course making your own gives you a really unique result. You can use rubber stamps to make patterns or decorate, or label belongings or mark documents for business use.

The growing popularity of scrap-booking has introduced many crafts people to rubber stamping, as it is a much-used part of the process. It also means that there are many widely available materials. Most big stores carry a range for scrap-booking, so this is a good place to start, but also check out your local craft shop, art shop, and see if there are any groups or courses in your area. It’s a lovely thing to share with others.

As an art form, rubber stamping has more of a history in the U.S. than Europe, where the traditional but basically the same techniques of linocut or woodcut are more well-known. You can make your own designs to use in your art work and rubber stamping combines well with other art forms. The use of diverse inks, paints, pigments and methods all give the artist freedom of expression.

For the hobbyist, rubber stamping has no boundaries. Use it to make cards, adorn DVDs and CDs, in photo albums, for your children’s art work, add it to projects and assignments, make signs, leave messages, use it around the house( I’ve seen some wild wallpaper), on fabric or paper, or how about stone or wood, metal or glass?

Yes, rubber stamping is that sort of hobby. Once you start, you just can’t stop. Let us know about your stamping addiction, what you stamp and how you did it. We want to hear about it. Stay with us for more stamping news. In the meantime, take a look around you. See any blank walls or boring spaces? You know what to do??.