How to Make a Heart Stamp

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methods

1Using Craft Foam

2Using a Cork

3Using a Cardboard Tube

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Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

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References

Do you need to stamp a heart on a card? Does your new wrapping paper design require a lot of stamped hearts? If instead of running out to the store to buy a stamp, why not make one using items from around your home? They are fast, fun, and easy to make. Best of all, you can use most of these methods to make other shapes and designs as well!

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Craft Foam

1. 
   1
   Draw a heart shape onto a sheet of craft foam. If you want a more precise heart, you can use a stencil or heart-shaped cookie cutter as a guide. You can also use heart-shaped craft foam stickers instead.

   • To make a more professional stamp, use a sheet of stamp rubber. You can typically find it in the stamping section or printmaking section of an arts and crafts store.
2. 
   2
   Cut the heart out. You can make a fancier stamp by cutting another heart out from the inside so that you have a thin outline of a heart instead. Another option would be to punch tiny holes into the heart to make a polka-dotted heart.
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3. 
   3
   Glue the heart to your stamp base. You can use just about anything as a base, from a clothespin to a wooden cube to a cork. Coat the top of your desired base with glue, then press the heart down into it. Let the glue dry before moving on.

   • For best results, use liquid craft glue; hot glue may create bumps.
   • If you are using a heart-shaped craft foam sticker, peel off the sticker backing, then stick it to your base. Secure it with glue, if needed.
   • Save space by gluing the heart to the lid of your ink pad.
4. 
   4
   Use the stamp. Press the stamp against an ink pad or into acrylic or tempera paint. Tap it against your desired paper, then carefully lift it away.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Cork

1. 
   1
   Draw a heart shape on the bottom of a cork. You can use a pen or marker for this. This will create a rustic-looking stamp with lots of texture.

   • You can also use this method on a much smaller scale on a pencil eraser. Make sure that the eraser is new and flat.
   • You can also use this on a potato. Cut the potato in half first. Keep in mind that the potato will not last long.
2. 
   2
   Trace around your heart with a craft knife. Try to cut about ⅛ to ¼-inch (0.32 to 0.64-centimeters) deep. Don't worry if your knife slips outside of the heart.
3. 
   3
   Slice around the sides of the cork. Lay the cork down on its side, then cut around it using a craft knife, about ⅛-inch (0.32-centimeter) from the bottom. Try to cut up to the edges of the heart, but not all the way through the cork. As you cut, the negative spaces around the heart should fall away.
4. 
   4
   Clean up the negative spaces. If there are still some chunks around the heart, slice through the sides of the cork again, then cut away the negative spaces. Don't worry if it is not perfect; it's part of the rustic charm of this stamp.
5. 
   5
   Use the stamp. Tap the stamp into an ink pad or into some acrylic or tempera paint. Press the stamp against your desired paper, then carefully lift it away. If you need to, make any adjustments by carving back into the stamp.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Cardboard Tube

1. 
   1
   Get an empty cardboard tube. You can use an empty toilet paper roll or an empty paper towel roll. Be sure to pull off any bits of paper. If you are using a paper towel roll, consider cutting it in half so that you can make two stamps.
2. 
   2
   Flatten the tube. Set the tube down on a table. Squish it flat with your hands so that it gets a crease on both sides.
3. 
   3
   Open the tube up slightly. You should have something that looks like a leaf or an eye.
4. 
   4
   Tuck one of the creased edges into the tube. Use your fingers to press one of the creased edges into the tube. Your tube should now start looking a little more like a heart!

   • Make sure that you fold the crease in from top to bottom.
5. 
   5
   Wrap some tape around the middle of the tube. Gently push the top loops of your tube together until you get the heart shape you like. Hold the tube in one hand, then wrap a piece of tape around the middle to hole the loops in place.
6. 
   6
   Use the stamp. Hold the tube gently in your hand. Tap the open part of the tube into a puddle of acrylic or tempera paint. Press the tube against a sheet of paper, then lift it away.
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Tips

• Cut a heart shape out of a thin sponge, press it into some acrylic or tempera paint, then stamp away!
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• Clean your stamp before dipping it into a new color. It would be best to make a new stamp however.
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• Cardboard stamps can only be used for one color. You can't wash them, and if you use them for different colors, the paint will get muddied.
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Things You'll Need

Using Craft Foam

• Craft foam
• Marker or pen
• Scissors
• Glue
• Base (wooden block, cork, etc)

Using a Cork

• Wine and champagne corks
• Craft knife
• Pen

Using a Cardboard Tube

• Empty toilet paper roll pr paper towel roll
• Tape