In reading about people searching for carving material I just need to
throw in my two cents.
So far the best and cheapest carving material I have found comes from
Dick Blick Art Supplies. I know that that they have store fronts
somewhere but I order through the web at dickblick.com
The carving material that I like is called Soft-Kut. It is about 1/4
inch thick grey rubber material that cuts really nice. Other stuff
that I have tried is too crumbly, except Speedball's pink stuff which
isn't bad but pricey. Soft-kut costs $1.29 for a 4x6 block or $7.69
for a 12x18 block. Dick Blick also sells carving tools, I prefer
speedball's wooden handle over the big industrial red one. The wood
seems a nicer size for carving small soft things like letterbox stamps.
Also my favorite book on the subject is, The Weekend Crafter: Rubber
Stamp Carving: Techniques, Designs & Projects
by Luann Udell
Happy Carving!
Nisha