CRAFTS CORNER
by Cindy McLean

Cindy is a mom of two daughters aged 13 & 15 and has a home based online business consisting of a website and an eBay store. She teaches classes in rubber stamping and enjoys sharing new techniques with other crafters. Cindy says "Through different events in my life, I have learned to be positive even when others discourage me, & work to motivate myself & others, including my children, to strive for fulfillment & joy of life". She has had a long history of writing short pieces for online groups and is in the process of writing a fiction novel. "Writing, to me, is the form of relaxation and self examination I enjoy the most."

Rubber Stamping Basics - Got Ink?

Rubber stamps allow everyone the opportunity to look like an artist...even if all you can draw is a stick figure. You are only limited by the huge variety of rubber stamps available. Inks though, play a big part in rubber stamping. By knowing about & choosing the right ink, you can turn a pretty stamped image into a WOW factor image.

Dye inks are quick drying & are best to use when you need a good bold outlined image. These are available in a rainbow of colors.
Pigment inks are slow drying, & are perfect for use with embossing powders. Again, if you can imagine the color, chances are it is available in an ink pad.
Brilliance & Staz On inks can be heat set to make a permanent impression on fabric & porous items such as tiles.

By choosing the right ink for your project, you can get the best image with your rubber stamp.

Now for keeping those stamps clean. A commercial stamp cleaner with scrubber pad is available & is especially good for more permanent ink removal to prevent staining. I have always had very good luck with an ordinary baby wipe. I keep a travel pack in my bag for classes & such. Be sure to air dry the rubber before storing.

Future topics:

Stamping Techniques For The Beginner
Decorative Papers
Greeting Card Ideas

For ideas, photos, products, & more plus
everything for the rubber stamper & scrapbooker visit Cindy's website.

Cindy's Website

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