Adventures with Recycling: Photopolymer Stamps

This is my awesome camera rig. I made a peep hole for the camera on my iPhone. (Yes, I watched MacGyver as a kid and loved every minute of it. All my video needs is an explosion!)

 

Q and A:

Q: What brand of ink are you using?

A: My favourite ink is Memento dye ink by Tsukineko because it dries fast, cleans up fast, and won't get wrecked by the rain. It works with all kinds of stamps. I really like the little dew drops for control over the colour, but they also sell the regular sized ink pads, and I have those in black and brown.

Q: Do you have different sizes of blocks?

A: I only have that one block. It is sufficient. If I use a tiny stamp, I put in the corner and use delicate pressure. If the stamp is bigger than my block, I use the quilting ruler. I have had my eye on the Fiskar's stamp press for a long time. It looks superior to a block. Less chance of a slip-up, oops there's ink where I didn't want it.

Q: Do you have web links to where to get good ink? Clear blocks?

A: I do all of my online craft shopping at Simon Says Stamp. They stock everything, have the best prices, reasonable shipping rates, and I've had nothing but good experiences with them since 2010. I bought everything in the video from them except for the Christmas stamp set, which I won. Because I'm a winner.

STAMPS

High quality, made in the USA photopolymer stamps:

Hero Arts: 'Heyday Sentiments' and 'Stepping Stone Alphabet'

Simon Says Stamp: 'Sunnier Days'

The little Christmas stamp set is by Studio G Clear Stamps, made in Taiwan. I'm not sure of the material. It seems to be photopolymer, but I'm no chemist.

INKS

Memento 4 Dew Drop Ink Pads by Tsukineko: 'JUICY PURPLES' and 'OCEAN' Made in Japan.

OTHER

I use Bounty paper towel because I read somewhere that it has the least lint out there. There is still some paper towel transfer sometimes, but it's not a big deal.

ETA (May 8, 2014): I have now switched to using a piece of an old t-shirt as a rag to clean my stamps instead of paper towel. Same method -- using just water. Now there is NO lint, and it's better for the environment (and my wallet). I plan to throw it in the washing machine with my towels when I need to wash it, but I've been using it for about a week, just rinsing it out, and it works great! Super, in fact!