The element of age in rubber stamping projects adds dimension, zest and your own unique sparkle when you are looking for something new and distinctive. Aging (also known as distressing) your rubber stamping creations can be done simply and inexpensively with common household items. In this article you will learn how to use things like sandpaper, ink pads, candles, scissors, and glue to enhance your rubber stamping projects with age. Use these techniques on their own or in combination with one anther to achieve different distressing results.
BEFORE YOU DISTRESS First, before you distress your paper, do a layout of the card or page you wish to create. With everything cut to size you are ready to age your rubber stamping project. You may wish to stamp any rubber stamping images where you desire them before you distress. Keep in mind it will depend on the project as to whether to do your rubber stamping before or after the aging techniques.
SANDING Heavy colored paper with a white core shows this technique well. Using medium rough sandpaper or a sanding block, lightly sand the edges of the paper you wish to rubber stamp on. Sand all other edges where you wish to have an aged look.
INKING Using a dye based or pigment ink ? these are your rubber stamping ink pads ? brush the ink pad across the edges of your paper. Hold the ink pad at a 45? or smaller angle as you do this. The smaller the angle the more ink you will see around the edges. You may wish to use the same color that you are rubber stamping with.
CRUMPLING Try rubber stamping a faded image randomly over lightweight paper. Crumple into a ball and smooth out. At this point you may wish to do some inking over the uneven surface you have created. Complete your rubber stamping project as planned.
TEARING For this technique be sure to do your rubber stamping first. Tear somewhat unevenly through the image in a couple of places. Ink the edges. Put the image back together on a solid background. This will give the rubber stamping image the look of being broken or cracked. You may wish to run a bead of white glue on the seams.
BURNING For this method, be sure you practice first. Do not use your finished rubber stamping images on your first attempt. Using a candle, hold your paper horizontally above the flame, high enough that it does not catch fire, hold in this position just until it begins to smoke. Burn edges as desired. Complete your rubber stamping project once the desired effect is achieved.
SCISSORS Using your scissors as you would to curl curly ribbon, gently curl the corners of your rubber stamping images. Once the desired effect is achieved, complete the rubber stamping creation.
FOLDING Using heavy paper, fold randomly, sand the folded edge, ink, and unfold. Do this repeatedly until the desired effect is achieved. You may want to do some rubber stamping before unfolding. At this point, smooth out the paper and emboss your rubber stamping image in a contrasting color in the center.
Rubber stamping is a fun and creative hobby. Whether distressing with ink, flame, water, crumpling, tearing or folding, rubber stamping projects can be enhanced in many exciting and different ways.
To view pictures of each of these techniques go to: http://www.clearlyrubberstamping.com/page/distressing
If you are like me and you love to use rubber stamps, ink and paper to create gorgeous cards, gifts and scrapbook pages, then you have probably at one time or another considered using your love for the craft to start a home business. And why not? Not only can you enjoy creating and getting your hands ?dirty? in all that ink but you can support your craft with some added income too.
Here are four quick and easy ways to turn your rubber stamping hobby into a fun home business. There are many more but this is just a little kick start for you.
Make Cards and scrapbook pages for others - this is, by far, that fastest and easiest way to generate a little extra cash from your love of stamping. Start by creating a nice portfolio of your work. Get a binder with high quality page protectors and create some sample cards and gorgeous scrapbook page samples for various occasions with different designs so your potential clients can see your creativity. Or get specific and target brides or new moms to be and create your portfolio of cards geared toward those niches. Carry your portfolio everywhere and market yourself locally. You'll be surprised how many people are looking for unique cards but don't make them themselves because of the time involved.
Join a rubber stamping company - there are several fantastic rubber stamping direct sales companies out there where you can purchase a starter kit and earn money by selling their products through home shows. The nice thing about this option is that you have built in training and often will get marketing and advertising advice from the company you join. Some of
Start a rubber stamping birthday party and event business - This is an easy business to kick off too, although it might take some time to build at first because you have to get the word out and then wait for birthday or events to come up. Create a ?stamp camp? of several different projects that pre-teen and teen girls would enjoy (scrapbooking is extremely popular with teen girls) and then take it on the road. Offer to entertain the kids at birthday parties (and other events) with your crafting camps and charge per person for your services.
Sell your projects on the Internet - Craft your cards and scrap pages and sell them directly on ebay or create your own website for selling. Make sure you check with the rubber stamp manufacturers to insure that you are not violating any copyrights when you use their images to sell your cards. Take some high quality photos to show off your work or work directly with your customers via your own website to do customized and special project work. The possibilities really are endless.
That is just a brief list of ways to make money with your rubber stamping addiction. If you love to scrapbook too the possibilities of adding scrapbooking services to your portfolio of work can really increase your reach as well. Be bold and get your work into the hands of your potential clients. Before you know it, you'll be in business!
Both Susan Rice & Annette Yen are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Susan Rice has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Hobbies for the Family and Arts. Susan has been making things with paper since the time she was small. She takes particular delight in stamping and designing new card layouts with her results. Susan also enjoys learning new things and often comes up with new ideas as a result of the th. Susan Rice's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
Annette Yen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Modelling, Birthday Party and Interest. is a ruber stamping addict who loves helping moms make money from home. As a Stampin' Up demonstrator she recommends. Annette Yen's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.