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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

FEATHER STAMPS FROM STYROFOAM

Living in Ukraine has made me quite aware of recycling since I can't just go out to a big craft store as one can in America.  So my studio is quite full with things like tea tins, cookie tins, boxes, Altoid tins, tin cans, paper, card board and Styrofoam.  So here is one of the crafts I do.
In the top picture you can see I cut off the curved edges to get a nice flat piece of foam.  Upon that you can draw any picture you want for a stamp.  I've been into feathers for some time, but I've done flowers and other things as well.  This is the back side.  Turn over for the smooth side.
This picture is an example of the drawn feather.  I simply used a pen to make my marks.  At this point you can stamp in a square or your can remove the outside negative space to have the feather shape as I did in the picture below.
And don't feel like you have to make things realistic.  A little whimsy is always fun as you see with my curls.  I love curls, don't you?
Finally, the actual stamped images.  Styrofoam is soft so these won't last a long time, but then they are so easy to do.  And as a mixed-media artist I've learned to embrace imperfection.  As a matter of fact, I like imperfection.  It gives that hand-made feel that creates the distinction of art as opposed to something manufactured.  So give this a try and see what you come up with.  I know you'll love it.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you Coleen for such an useful tutoria .I am a big fun of recycling too :) Hugs & love,Ada

Unknown said...

The feathers are wonderful! Thanks for sharing this...

Coleen said...

So appreciate your visits, Ada and Carolyn. I just like feathers, but I suppose that goes along with my love of birds. Happy New Year to you both.

stavroula m said...

Very good idea!!! I'll try it Coleen!!!!http://stavroulam.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

An excellent tutorial , thank you so much! I just made six feather stamps....for free...you are so talented & creative!

CF said...

The amazing part of human is that we tend to get more creative when we run out of resources. I think it's actually a good way to help us recycle materials which is great in a way.

-- cfchai (Comment and follow #38)

Unknown said...

I'm so glad I found this post! I really like how these stamps came out and the price is definitely right. I've wanted to buy new stamps from Michaels or other craft stores but I can't justify paying $10 or more for a simple stamp. These are unique and could dress up so many things.

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