RUBBER STAMPING

Find what you need to get started making your own greeting cards and other projects with rubber stamping


Rubber stamping is another fast-growing hobby for people who like to make their own greeting cards, gift cards, gift wrap, and other craft projects using rubber stamps. Perhaps you remember using rubber stamps as a kid, decorating papers, books or other items with stamps and ink pads. Rubber stamping has grown into a serious, adult business, and you can spend literally hundreds of dollars on stamps, ink pads, embossing powders, embossers, and other supplies before you know it. If you are serious about your hobby, you won't have any trouble finding and purchasing all the supplies you need. We'll show you where to buy supplies and give you some good hints and ideas for your projects. If you're just starting out and aren't sure if you'll like this, you can still participate, just buy a few stamps, ink pads and the like until you know if this is a hobby for you.

Where To Look

In addition to our usual craft sources like Michael's or Craft Warehouse, we found the following online sites which might interest you:

  • Addicted To Rubber Stamps.com lists itself as the world's largest rubber stamp store. More than 1-Million items in stock in over 100 categories from more than 200 companies.
  • Rubber Stamp Store claims the lowest prices on the internet for artistic rubber stamps. Thousands of rubber stamps for card making, scrapbooking, and just having fun.
  • Got-a-Stamp offers a wide selection of rubber stamps and rubber stamp accessories for the beginner and expert rubber stamper. Has an "idea" page as well as ordering stamps and accessories.
  • Impression-Obsession.com offers over 1500 rubber stamps. Nice website, includes a listing of dealers who carry their products. Can order online, too.

Supplies You May Need

Card stock and envelopes
Rubber stamps
Ink pads, pigment or dye based
Colored pens or pencils
Embosser
Embossing powder

More on Supplies

If you're going to make greeting or gift cards, one of your first purchases should be card stock or greeting card stock. You can use plain card stock that comes in white, off-white or other colors, or you can purchase special greeting card kits all ready for you to begin. If you use the card stock, you'll also need a paper cutter and invitation sized envelopes (4 3/8 x 5 3/4 inches). The envelopes can be purchased at an office supply store, craft store or other retailer who carries papers & envelopes. If you're going to make custom gift paper or gift bags, you'll find plain paper & bags from your local craft or variety store. With paper in hand, you can begin looking at stamps. If you're just starting out and not sure if you'll like doing this, pick a theme to begin with, such as birthday or Christmas, and buy a few stamps to fit the theme. You may want to purchase both picture and greeting stamps, but you can also print a greeting, or inside, using your computer and printer. You'll also need to buy ink pads. You can color in the image with colored pencils or pens for visual affect as well. As you get more experience, you can fancy up your cards with special effects like embossing, ribbons and other features. More ideas can be found online or in rubber stamping books, available at your local craft store or library.

Plain or Fancy: More Ideas For Your Projects

Your cards can be pretty simple, a stamped picture on the front which can be left plain or colored in with pens or colored pencils, or you can fancy them up a bit as you get more skilled. One way to make them fancier is to emboss them. Embossing is a technicque which creates a raised edge image on your card. It can be done with special embossing powder applied to the wet ink, then heated with an embossing tool, hot plate or 100-watt bulb. The second method is called dry-embossing, and uses a stencil and stylus to create the raised edge by laying paper over the stencil, then using the stylus to press the shape into the cardstock. Both methods create a nice effect on your finished product.

There are a variety of layered cards that can be made, and you can add many different trims such as ribbons, beads, popups, etc. You can find many great ideas for greeting cards at Bridget's Rubber Stamping home page. She offers nothing for sale here (although she does link to online sources), but has shared at least 3 pages worth of her projects so you can get ideas for making your own.

Enjoy!

Resource Index

Audio-Video-and-Cameras:
Plasma TV, LCD TV, MP3 Players, TIVO, Satellite TV, Dgitial Cameras, Digital Camcorders, Bose iPod Speakers, Multimedia Projectors, GPS, Blu-ray Disc

Computer and Accessories:
Choosing a Laptop Computer, Computer Memory Upgrade, Copying a Hard Drive, Dual Monitors, Networking Computers, Microsoft Office, PDA's, Cheap Ink/Toner, Color Laser Printers, Multifunction Printers, Scanners, USB Flash Drives, Wireless Printers, Dell computers, Wireless Routers, Wireless G Routers, Wireless N Routers, Laptop Carrying Cases

Computer and Video Games:
Age of Empires III, Battlefield 2

Entertainment:
Online Gambling, Poker, Routlette, Blackjack, Craps and other Online Games, Online Casinos, Movies, Online DVD Rentals, Home Theater Systems , Home Theater Components, HDTV, HDTV Buying Tips, HD Radio, Portable DVD Players, Magazine Subscriptions

Fun-Hobbies:
Tropical Fish, Aquariums, Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping, Geneology, Geocaching, Soap Making, Candle Making

Legal:
Criminal Defense Attorneys, Tax Attorneys, Lemon Law Protection, Structured Settlements, Investment Fraud, Bankruptcy Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorneys, Family Law

CellPhones-and-Communication
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Carriers, Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Ringtones, Headsets, VOIP, Cheap Long Distance, iPhone, Blackberry, Bluetooth Technology, SmartPhones

Jobs-Schooling
Online College Degrees, Business Degrees, Home Schooling, Drivers Education, Job Resumes, Online Job Search
Internet:
Cybercrime Prosecution, IE Security, Affordable Web Hosting, Web Hosting, Domain Name Registration, Search Engines, Web Site Design, Internet Mailing Lists, Blogging, Internet Serive Providers, Free Email, Clip Art

Finance and Insurance:
Auto Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes, RV Insurance, General Insurance, Travel Insurance, Business Insurance, Basic Guide to Consolidating Student Loans, Cash Advance Loans, Federal Student Loan Consolidation, Debt Consolidation, Debt Management, Credit Card Debt Consolidation, Free Credit Reports, Home Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Companies, Second Mortgages, Mortgage Brokers, Health Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Term life Insurance, Mortgage note buyer, Renter's Insurance, Household Budgeting

Home:
Home improvement, Outdoor Lighting, Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Countertops, Espresso Makers, Food Processors, Coffee Makers, Coffee Grinders, Slow Cookers, Popcorn makers, Blenders, Cutting Boards, Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers & Dryers, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen & Bathroom Faucets, Bathtubs, House Windows, Closet Organizers, Window Treatments, Hardwood Floors, Carpeting, Home Security, Water Heaters, Water Filters, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Bamboo Flooring, Portable Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, Siding, House Cleaning Services, Home Organization, Vacuum Cleaners, Cannister Vacuum Cleaners, Handcheld Vacuum Cleaners, Upright Vacuum Cleaners, Stick Vacuum Cleaners, Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners, Furnaces, Fireplace Inserts, Electric Space Heaters, Pellet Stoves, Wood Stoves, Heat Pumps, Buying a used car



Business-Office-Supplies:
Discount Office Supplies, Home Office, Office Furniture, Copiers, Home Business, Business Cards, Business Brochures, Mailing List Companies, Affiliates, Franchises, Business Telephone Systems, Employment Agencies, Call Centers, Fax Machines
Health and Wellness:
Fioricet for Migraine Relief, Online Pharmacies, Phentermine for dieting, Tramadol for Chronic Pain Relief, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawyers, Acne Treatment, Contact Lenses, Drug Rehabilitation, Cerebral Palsy, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Products, Human Growth Hormones , Diet Pills, Treadmills, Fragrances, Reducing Cholesterol, Diabetes, Obesity, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Acid reflux, Cialis, Understanding Depression, Unraveling Diet Plans, Erectile dysfunction, Lipitor, Sleep Loss, Viagra, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Living With Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Gifts:
Gift Ideas, Corporate Gifts, Gift Cards, Wristwatches, Replica Watches, Sunglasses, Wholesale Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Wedding Gifts, Food Gifts, Books, Music, Flowers, Gift Baskets, Candles & Candleholders, Chocolate & Candy

Sports:
Health Clubs, Home Gyms, Treadmills, Golf, Golf Vacations, Golf Schools, Golf Clubs, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Basketball

Travel:
Railroad Train Travel, Greyhound Bus Travel, Moving Guide, Rental Cars, Luxury Cruises, Maui Vacation, Spain Travel, Panama Cruise, Mexico Travel, Europe Travel, Disneyland Vacation, Disney World Vacation, Airline Tickets, Las Vegas Vacations, Las Vegas Sights, Las Vegas Entertainment, Las Vegas Dining, Lake Tahoe, Reno Vacations, Grand Canyon Vacation, Alaska Vacation, San Juan Island Vacation, Seattle Vacation, San Francisco Vacation, San Diego Vacation, SeaWorld Vacation, Yellowstone Park Vacation, Los Angeles Vacation, Bed & Breakfasts, Las Cruces New Mexico Vacation, Texas Hill Country Vacation, Columbia River Gorge Vacation, Albuquerque Vacation, New Mexico Vacation, Utah Vacation, Denver Vacation, Carlsbad Caverns, Branson, Missouri, Arizona Vacations, Jackson Wyoming, Skiing Wyoming, Skiing Oregon, Skiing Utah, Skiing Colorado, Skiing California, Skiing Washington State, Skiing Idaho

Yard-and-Garden:
Lawn Care, Patio Furniture, Hot Tubs & Spas, Gazebos, Fences, Decks, Barbeque Grills, Greenhouses, Patios, Sprinkler Systems, Landscape Design, Backyard Ponds, Bird Baths, Hedge Trimmers, String Trimmers, Wheelbarrows and Gardencarts, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Care Tools, Lawn Edgers, Leaf Blowers, Now Blowers, Rakes