Balzer Designs StampsStamp Carving

#CarveDecember is Inspiring (and hurting my hand)

CarveDecemberHeader

You guys, #CarveDecember is just knocking my socks off.  People are making some *amazing* stamps!!  Before I share some (and there are so many, I really had to pick just a few) of the fantabulous stamps that other people have carved, here's what I've made for days 4-10:

4-repeating
4-repeating
4-repeating

I made a custom colored ink pad for this one.  Here's the print below:

6-color
6-color

I carved a new set of number stamps for my art journal.  These are about half the size of the my old ones.  They're teeny tiny!

8-days

This set just about killed me.  I should have done it over several days instead of all in one shot.  Nonetheless, I love them!  So much so…

Stampsinuse

…that I used them right away in my art journal!  You can see the size of the stamps a little bit better in the photo above, since my hand is there for scale.

9-faces

This was a crafty experiment. I wanted to see if I could carve a basic face that would act as a guideline for creating multiple faces, but not dictate the final result.  You can see that I got three very different looking girls from my stamp!

10-hand

And now onto some amazing stamps from others!

abunchofbuttons:

Abunchofbuttons

barbmccormacksmith:

Abunchofbuttons

hudsonsailor27:

Abunchofbuttons

iamthediva:

Abunchofbuttons

jongley:

Abunchofbuttons

kristenvarian:

Abunchofbuttons

larapabst:

Abunchofbuttons

liannenz:

Abunchofbuttons

metacarr:

Abunchofbuttons

myheartsfancy:

Abunchofbuttons

redchisel:

Abunchofbuttons

suefujii:

Abunchofbuttons

tinystampsbigplans:

Abunchofbuttons

tumbledbythesea:

Abunchofbuttons
Seriously, there are SO many amazing stamps, please click through to check them all out!

If you'd like to join into #CarveDecember, feel free to do so at any time!  Carve every single day or just once in a while this month.  All are welcome!

If you'd like to learn about stamp carving, consider my online class, Stamp Carving 101, or my book, Carve Stamp Play

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

80 thoughts on “#CarveDecember is Inspiring (and hurting my hand)

  • The woman with the different bathing sits is incredible!

    Reply
  • The woman with the different bathing sits is incredible!

    Reply
  • The woman with the different bathing sits is incredible!

    Reply
  • The woman with the different bathing sits is incredible!

    Reply
  • The woman with the different bathing sits is incredible!

    Reply
  • I had to laugh when I saw myheartsfancy’s oops. When I first started carving I did an entire alphabet before I realized that I wasn’t reversing the letters! OOPS!
    Love this challenge! I am rearranging my craft room to host a women’s paper craft night or I would be participating!

    Reply
  • I had to laugh when I saw myheartsfancy’s oops. When I first started carving I did an entire alphabet before I realized that I wasn’t reversing the letters! OOPS!
    Love this challenge! I am rearranging my craft room to host a women’s paper craft night or I would be participating!

    Reply
  • I had to laugh when I saw myheartsfancy’s oops. When I first started carving I did an entire alphabet before I realized that I wasn’t reversing the letters! OOPS!
    Love this challenge! I am rearranging my craft room to host a women’s paper craft night or I would be participating!

    Reply
  • I had to laugh when I saw myheartsfancy’s oops. When I first started carving I did an entire alphabet before I realized that I wasn’t reversing the letters! OOPS!
    Love this challenge! I am rearranging my craft room to host a women’s paper craft night or I would be participating!

    Reply
  • I had to laugh when I saw myheartsfancy’s oops. When I first started carving I did an entire alphabet before I realized that I wasn’t reversing the letters! OOPS!
    Love this challenge! I am rearranging my craft room to host a women’s paper craft night or I would be participating!

    Reply
  • Great stamps. I like to use big erasers from my local dollar store to carve stamps. They work great. I use all the sides to carve on.

    Reply
  • Great stamps. I like to use big erasers from my local dollar store to carve stamps. They work great. I use all the sides to carve on.

    Reply
  • Great stamps. I like to use big erasers from my local dollar store to carve stamps. They work great. I use all the sides to carve on.

    Reply
  • Great stamps. I like to use big erasers from my local dollar store to carve stamps. They work great. I use all the sides to carve on.

    Reply
  • Great stamps. I like to use big erasers from my local dollar store to carve stamps. They work great. I use all the sides to carve on.

    Reply
  • Really inspiring – the sore hand thing slows me down too. So every other day or every third day or whatever I can do – having fun!

    Reply
  • Really inspiring – the sore hand thing slows me down too. So every other day or every third day or whatever I can do – having fun!

    Reply
  • Really inspiring – the sore hand thing slows me down too. So every other day or every third day or whatever I can do – having fun!

    Reply
  • Really inspiring – the sore hand thing slows me down too. So every other day or every third day or whatever I can do – having fun!

    Reply
  • Really inspiring – the sore hand thing slows me down too. So every other day or every third day or whatever I can do – having fun!

    Reply
  • Some fabulous stamps – yours, Julie, and your co-conspirators. I’ve not yet posted (my one and-as-yet-only) eraser stamp, but these are really inspiring.

    Reply
  • Some fabulous stamps – yours, Julie, and your co-conspirators. I’ve not yet posted (my one and-as-yet-only) eraser stamp, but these are really inspiring.

    Reply
  • Some fabulous stamps – yours, Julie, and your co-conspirators. I’ve not yet posted (my one and-as-yet-only) eraser stamp, but these are really inspiring.

    Reply
  • Some fabulous stamps – yours, Julie, and your co-conspirators. I’ve not yet posted (my one and-as-yet-only) eraser stamp, but these are really inspiring.

    Reply
  • Some fabulous stamps – yours, Julie, and your co-conspirators. I’ve not yet posted (my one and-as-yet-only) eraser stamp, but these are really inspiring.

    Reply
  • Whoa-to-the-Whoa!!!! Super inspiring and awesome!! Love!! I have got to CARVE out some time!!

    Reply
  • Whoa-to-the-Whoa!!!! Super inspiring and awesome!! Love!! I have got to CARVE out some time!!

    Reply
  • Whoa-to-the-Whoa!!!! Super inspiring and awesome!! Love!! I have got to CARVE out some time!!

    Reply
  • Whoa-to-the-Whoa!!!! Super inspiring and awesome!! Love!! I have got to CARVE out some time!!

    Reply
  • Whoa-to-the-Whoa!!!! Super inspiring and awesome!! Love!! I have got to CARVE out some time!!

    Reply
  • O my goodness, your stamps are so totally awesome. I have asked for a stamp carving kit from hubby this Christmas!

    Reply
  • O my goodness, your stamps are so totally awesome. I have asked for a stamp carving kit from hubby this Christmas!

    Reply
  • O my goodness, your stamps are so totally awesome. I have asked for a stamp carving kit from hubby this Christmas!

    Reply
  • O my goodness, your stamps are so totally awesome. I have asked for a stamp carving kit from hubby this Christmas!

    Reply
  • O my goodness, your stamps are so totally awesome. I have asked for a stamp carving kit from hubby this Christmas!

    Reply
  • Julie how do I join #CarveDecember. I feel like I’ve missed some fun! thanks,

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  • Julie how do I join #CarveDecember. I feel like I’ve missed some fun! thanks,

    Reply
  • Julie how do I join #CarveDecember. I feel like I’ve missed some fun! thanks,

    Reply
  • Julie how do I join #CarveDecember. I feel like I’ve missed some fun! thanks,

    Reply
  • Julie how do I join #CarveDecember. I feel like I’ve missed some fun! thanks,

    Reply
  • My younger sister is an OT and CHT (Certified Hand Therapist). Based on what she has told me you should never do things that make your hands hurt. Hands are very easy to damage and very slow to heal. And by the way, if you do need to see a professional about hand problems, go to the CHT website and find a CHT in your area.
    Best wishes to all. I”m very impressed with the creativity of these stamps and looking forward to trying it!

    Reply
  • My younger sister is an OT and CHT (Certified Hand Therapist). Based on what she has told me you should never do things that make your hands hurt. Hands are very easy to damage and very slow to heal. And by the way, if you do need to see a professional about hand problems, go to the CHT website and find a CHT in your area.
    Best wishes to all. I”m very impressed with the creativity of these stamps and looking forward to trying it!

    Reply
  • My younger sister is an OT and CHT (Certified Hand Therapist). Based on what she has told me you should never do things that make your hands hurt. Hands are very easy to damage and very slow to heal. And by the way, if you do need to see a professional about hand problems, go to the CHT website and find a CHT in your area.
    Best wishes to all. I”m very impressed with the creativity of these stamps and looking forward to trying it!

    Reply
  • My younger sister is an OT and CHT (Certified Hand Therapist). Based on what she has told me you should never do things that make your hands hurt. Hands are very easy to damage and very slow to heal. And by the way, if you do need to see a professional about hand problems, go to the CHT website and find a CHT in your area.
    Best wishes to all. I”m very impressed with the creativity of these stamps and looking forward to trying it!

    Reply
  • My younger sister is an OT and CHT (Certified Hand Therapist). Based on what she has told me you should never do things that make your hands hurt. Hands are very easy to damage and very slow to heal. And by the way, if you do need to see a professional about hand problems, go to the CHT website and find a CHT in your area.
    Best wishes to all. I”m very impressed with the creativity of these stamps and looking forward to trying it!

    Reply
  • #carvedecember had taken on a life of it’s own. Thanks so much for starting this. It is so inspiring to see all of the talent out there!!!

    Reply
  • #carvedecember had taken on a life of it’s own. Thanks so much for starting this. It is so inspiring to see all of the talent out there!!!

    Reply
  • #carvedecember had taken on a life of it’s own. Thanks so much for starting this. It is so inspiring to see all of the talent out there!!!

    Reply
  • #carvedecember had taken on a life of it’s own. Thanks so much for starting this. It is so inspiring to see all of the talent out there!!!

    Reply
  • #carvedecember had taken on a life of it’s own. Thanks so much for starting this. It is so inspiring to see all of the talent out there!!!

    Reply
  • We are all posting on Instagram at #carvedecember. Join us!

    Reply
  • We are all posting on Instagram at #carvedecember. Join us!

    Reply
  • We are all posting on Instagram at #carvedecember. Join us!

    Reply
  • We are all posting on Instagram at #carvedecember. Join us!

    Reply
  • We are all posting on Instagram at #carvedecember. Join us!

    Reply
  • As I’ve commented before, I LOVE this creative challenge. I am learning so much and find stamp carving addictive. I’ve hardly used my stamps but am totally immersed in the carving. Maybe January’s creative challenge for me will be using them! Thanks again, Julie!

    Reply
  • As I’ve commented before, I LOVE this creative challenge. I am learning so much and find stamp carving addictive. I’ve hardly used my stamps but am totally immersed in the carving. Maybe January’s creative challenge for me will be using them! Thanks again, Julie!

    Reply
  • As I’ve commented before, I LOVE this creative challenge. I am learning so much and find stamp carving addictive. I’ve hardly used my stamps but am totally immersed in the carving. Maybe January’s creative challenge for me will be using them! Thanks again, Julie!

    Reply
  • As I’ve commented before, I LOVE this creative challenge. I am learning so much and find stamp carving addictive. I’ve hardly used my stamps but am totally immersed in the carving. Maybe January’s creative challenge for me will be using them! Thanks again, Julie!

    Reply
  • As I’ve commented before, I LOVE this creative challenge. I am learning so much and find stamp carving addictive. I’ve hardly used my stamps but am totally immersed in the carving. Maybe January’s creative challenge for me will be using them! Thanks again, Julie!

    Reply
  • ¡Me encantó! y que destreza…muy creativo…gracias por compartir..

    Reply
  • ¡Me encantó! y que destreza…muy creativo…gracias por compartir..

    Reply
  • ¡Me encantó! y que destreza…muy creativo…gracias por compartir..

    Reply
  • ¡Me encantó! y que destreza…muy creativo…gracias por compartir..

    Reply
  • ¡Me encantó! y que destreza…muy creativo…gracias por compartir..

    Reply

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