How to Carve a Helix Eraser into a Stamp

Always one for a bargain and more "know how" craft skills, I was thrilled to figure out how to make my own rubber stamps from simple pencil erasers. The cost is cheap (about 1.00 per stamp) and the designs are limited only by the size of the eraser and one's imagination!

Here's what you'll need to get started

• Helix brand pencil eraser (I've found them at The Office Depot).
• Pencil
• Black and white design scaled to the size of the eraser. You can print a design from your computer or draw your own.
• #1 Speedball brand linoleum carving tool, available at most craft stores for about $8.00
• Rubber stamping pad in a color and brand of your choice.
• Plain paper, or note cards

A) Begin by tracing the outline edges of your design with a pencil.

B) Next, flip the outlined image over onto the eraser. Hold in place while firmly burnishing / coloring the back side of the image with the pencil. This transfers the pencil outline onto the eraser.

C) Holding the Speedball carving tool like a pencil, begin to gently carve around the outline of your design, removing the parts of eraser that you don't want. As you carve, keep in mind that the areas that remain will be the areas that are inked and stamped. The Black areas on your paper design are what you should leave on the eraser. Carve everything else away.

The harder you press with the carving tool, the deeper the cuts. For this project, only the surface layer needs to be removed. It's perfectly o.k. to leave little bits here and there. It adds to the over all charm and resembles the look of an actual cut wood block.

D) Using an ink pad in the color and brand of your choice, apply ink to the carved eraser.

E) Stamp the eraser onto a piece of paper. It's Beautiful! If there are areas that you don't like, such as the areas I'm showing with my pencil, simply carve them away until your design is to your liking.

Carving erasers might take a little practice, but the technique is very easy to master and before you know it, you will have created a charming, one of a kind rubber stamp!