--- In letterbox-usa@egroups.com, defygravity@s... wrote:
> I have a question (or two).
>
> I've been carving stamps out of gum erasers using a rotary tool
> (like a Dremel). I'd like to know what other people use for other
> materials and/or tools.
>
> > Aili

Hi Aili,

I use mostly Sanford Magic Rub erasers with the smallest straight
razor X-Acto knife, which I found with the scrapbook supplies in the
craft store. The erasers are also in most craft stores in the
drawing section and cost less than $1.00 each. The knife goes through
the eraser very easily and doesn't slip towards the fingers the way
the larger X-acto had. I think a child's small hand could easily
manage the two. The only drawback to the Magic Rub eraser is it's
size (about 1" by 2 1/2") Sometimes reducing and making the image
fit (I use the acetone transfer of photocopied images method) can be
frustrating. I'd ordered some PZKUT from Stampeaz which I found hard
to cut through with an X-acto knife. It comes in large blocks which
can be cut to suit. For kids though, I'd keep it simple and safe.

You might also want to consider buying a few sketch books and a
supply of brads. The plastic binder can be removed from the book and
the pages cut into at least thirds and joined with brads for easy,
inexpensive journals to include in the girls' letterboxes.

Good luck and have fun!

Kathy

Aili,
I use a speedball cutter available at art stores and craft stores, such
as AC Moore. I cut it out of Mars Stadler erasers. The speedball cutter
is pretty sharp though. I guess using that would depend on the age of the
children. This summer, at camp, I did some letterboxing with my campers.
They were only 6, 7, and 8 years old so we used this craft foam. It comes
in all different colors at any craft store. It is about the size of a sheet
of paper and maybe 1/16 or 1/8 thick. I had the kids draw there design on
the foam and then cut it out with scissors. Then, we glued the foam on a
block of wood. The designs were pretty large and simple, but it was safe.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Good Luck!

Melissa

For really little kids you might want to start with something like
scratchfoam that requires no cutters at all. You just press in the
images with a pencil or something similar. Not "real" stamp carving,
but a great start to get a kid into the idea of creating their own
images, and about as safe as you can get (especially when combined
with water based nontoxic markers for ink).
--
Regards,

Eric Mings Ph.D.

> I'm looking for ideas on ways children can safely carve stamps as a
> group activity.

I use a speedball carving tool I got at my local art store- it came
in a kit with a handle, two blades, a block of pink carving material
and a sheet of tips for cutting and ideas for things to carve. I
remember being in elementary school using the same kind of cutters in
art class, at around 4th grade, so they should be able to manipulate
the tools. The pink blocks are also sold separately in different
sizes and can be cut up into smaller pieces.

moonshadow

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> We want to do a project in our Girl Scout service unit, and have
> girls start LBing at a weekend camporee this spring. I'm looking
for
> ideas on ways children can safely carve stamps as a group activity.

Aili,

I have a Brownie troop and a LBer friend has a Junior troop. We were
planning on developing the requirements for both LB try-it and badge
and having a joint hike. I don't know if you would be interested in
collaborating on the badge part. We were going to design the badges
and have them made.

Trish

Thanks everyone, for all your great suggestions. We're going to present the "Foamies" craft foam idea to all
the participating leaders as it seems easiest for the younger kids--I made one myself and it took about 2
minutes, not including time to let the glue dry.

And, since my troop has most of the older girls in town, I'll offer them choices so each girl can decide her
meathod and material.

~ Aili