Etchythings via Myoga Craft Cave

Just wanted to quickly provide a review for the crafters out there looking for content about Teresa Collin’s Stamp Maker.

teresa collins' stamp maker kit

stampmaker

I bought it early February and got it in the mail today. Since there are quite a few of Teresa’s videos and also from Craft Channels’ I won’t direct us to them other than the one here
She does a pretty good job to list the items in the kit. (Although depending on where you bought it and what kind of deal you got, you might not get the same thing as her in the video. Mine was through Craft Channel so it’s mostly the stampmaker, rather than the embossing or stencil they were trying to sell.

This machine has its merits as it does give stamp lovers an opportunity to create their own stamps. However, all the demo videos will not share the negative or less attractive aspects about this machine and of all the videos I’ve watched, the Craft Channel’s demo is probably the best.

Since I watched the demo about 3 weeks ago, I decided I should just read the instructions and follow it step-by-step. This is where the video demo and instructions sheet got confusing. I had to waste 2 polymer packs before I successfully created the last 3 stamps afterwards.

clock

text stamp

Created 3 stamps today

Here are some tips before you go make your stamps:

***The Fast Instructions are indeed fast on pg.1 of the manual. It writes “insert the clamp fully, negative side face up” and so unless you read the Step by Step on pg.2, you can easily make a mistake and not FLIP the clamp over. In the Craft Channel demo, it doesn’t provide the exact same instructions so the flipping part is necessary if you flash or do as text instructions says and you won’t flip or flash in demo.***

Another take-away when prepping your area is to really wear gloves unless you don’t mind getting really sticky and messy. It’s not so much that it is an irritant – well, you may be react to it – but more so how sticky it can get so after my first try, I washed off my hands and wore latex gloves. Also dedicate a pair of scissors for cutting the polymer packs since that will need some scrubbing afterwards too.

When cleaning, make sure you scrub just right so you get all the left over polymer between the text and fine art. One of the reasons why your stamp don’t come out right is because it hasn’t been cleaned right! I actually have a softer scrubber

scrubber, tray and scissors

When you place the stamp back into the post exposure tray to solidify the stamp, just enough water to cover the stamp is enough. Having too much water will leave more residue (the red) on the stamp, I find. So give that I try if you’re stamp comes out more pink.

messy!

white embossing ink text

For now, I’ll have to say that I need a bit more practice with it before I can say I would recommend this to someone else. It may be a practical tool for someone who loves stamps but there are a lot of hidden things and tricks that one needs to be aware of if they want to make a really perfect stamp – perhaps ones that are worthy of selling.

Part 2 will be on successful attempts in creating negatives. Please come back and visit me and feel free to comment if I’ve left out anything.

**I didn’t actually flash my stamp and I may try that next time.**