I Love Stamping
Over 100 Cute
Japanese-inspired Designs to Carve, Ink and Stamp
By Ishtar Olivera
Quadrille 2016
Paperback, £12.99
ISBN 978-1-84949-785-5
Star rating: ****
This is a charming project book featuring “super-cute”
Japanese-inspired hand-carved stamps. Most of the (over 30) projects are
stamped on paper, but a few are stamped on fabric. There are over 100 traceable
design motifs (stamp templates are full-size).The author, Ishtar Olivera, channels
Japanese appreciation of beautiful simplicity – and “kawaii” – the “super-cute”
into her elegant and sweet designs – both the stamp motifs and the crafty projects.
The section of the book about stamp-carving techniques is
ace – lots of helpful tips. There is lots of very specific info about using
lino-cutting tools to carve stamps. But - there should have been more
information about sourcing stamp carving blocks, and more info about ink pads –
and types of ink pads. Since this book is intended for newbies, you’ve got to
assume they won’t know about this stuff!
Many of the projects are simply irresistible – examples: the
Kokeshi (Japanese wooden dolls) Thread Holders – these provide wrap-around
storage for baker’s twine; the Tea Bag Envelopes; the Money Envelopes
(off-centre design); the Plum Blossom Garland. The makes are all super-simple
so the stamping takes centre stage.
Projects are beautifully photographed, and the step-by-steps
are stylishly illustrated – by the talented author herself.
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