Come with me on a journey into how my brain works.

I had this scrap of rubber:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps

I carved a quick pattern stamp out of it:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps

Then I tried printing it tip-to-tip:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps

That empty rectangle gave me an idea!  I took another scrap and cut it in half:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps

See how that little rectangle nests (sort of) perfectly into the empty space?!

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps

I ended up trimming both scrap halves so that they fit a bit better and then carved them into pattern stamps:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps

And here's what it looks like when they all come together:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps

And in color:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Interlocking Garbage Stamps
I hope you enjoyed that peek into my creative process!  Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a mixed-media artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops, her online classroom www.balzerdesigns.com, and through monthly membership at www.MyArtPractice.com.

198 thoughts on “Interlocking Garbage Stamps

  • Very helpful tutorial. Are the tick marks 1/4″ markings? Do you begin a fresh block of rubber by first measuring into strips then marking inches or other measurements to further subdivide the strips? Your process looks very orderly, so I was wondering about your precarving setup strategies. Thanks.

    Reply
  • Very helpful tutorial. Are the tick marks 1/4″ markings? Do you begin a fresh block of rubber by first measuring into strips then marking inches or other measurements to further subdivide the strips? Your process looks very orderly, so I was wondering about your precarving setup strategies. Thanks.

    Reply
  • Very helpful tutorial. Are the tick marks 1/4″ markings? Do you begin a fresh block of rubber by first measuring into strips then marking inches or other measurements to further subdivide the strips? Your process looks very orderly, so I was wondering about your precarving setup strategies. Thanks.

    Reply
  • Very helpful tutorial. Are the tick marks 1/4″ markings? Do you begin a fresh block of rubber by first measuring into strips then marking inches or other measurements to further subdivide the strips? Your process looks very orderly, so I was wondering about your precarving setup strategies. Thanks.

    Reply
  • Very helpful tutorial. Are the tick marks 1/4″ markings? Do you begin a fresh block of rubber by first measuring into strips then marking inches or other measurements to further subdivide the strips? Your process looks very orderly, so I was wondering about your precarving setup strategies. Thanks.

    Reply
  • Very helpful tutorial. Are the tick marks 1/4″ markings? Do you begin a fresh block of rubber by first measuring into strips then marking inches or other measurements to further subdivide the strips? Your process looks very orderly, so I was wondering about your precarving setup strategies. Thanks.

    Reply
  • Very clever and pretty. Can’t believe how easily you come up with designs.

    Reply
  • Very clever and pretty. Can’t believe how easily you come up with designs.

    Reply
  • Very clever and pretty. Can’t believe how easily you come up with designs.

    Reply
  • Very clever and pretty. Can’t believe how easily you come up with designs.

    Reply
  • Very clever and pretty. Can’t believe how easily you come up with designs.

    Reply
  • Very clever and pretty. Can’t believe how easily you come up with designs.

    Reply
  • FANTASTIC design! Great prints. You are so clever and thrifty and generous with sharing your ideas. I appreciate that. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  • FANTASTIC design! Great prints. You are so clever and thrifty and generous with sharing your ideas. I appreciate that. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  • FANTASTIC design! Great prints. You are so clever and thrifty and generous with sharing your ideas. I appreciate that. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  • FANTASTIC design! Great prints. You are so clever and thrifty and generous with sharing your ideas. I appreciate that. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  • FANTASTIC design! Great prints. You are so clever and thrifty and generous with sharing your ideas. I appreciate that. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  • FANTASTIC design! Great prints. You are so clever and thrifty and generous with sharing your ideas. I appreciate that. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  • I remember doing this in high school! We cut stamps out of linoleum. I love the pattern you created, it reminds me of Mexican folk art, very festive! Thanks for sharing your creative process!

    Reply
  • I remember doing this in high school! We cut stamps out of linoleum. I love the pattern you created, it reminds me of Mexican folk art, very festive! Thanks for sharing your creative process!

    Reply
  • I remember doing this in high school! We cut stamps out of linoleum. I love the pattern you created, it reminds me of Mexican folk art, very festive! Thanks for sharing your creative process!

    Reply
  • I remember doing this in high school! We cut stamps out of linoleum. I love the pattern you created, it reminds me of Mexican folk art, very festive! Thanks for sharing your creative process!

    Reply
  • I remember doing this in high school! We cut stamps out of linoleum. I love the pattern you created, it reminds me of Mexican folk art, very festive! Thanks for sharing your creative process!

    Reply
  • I remember doing this in high school! We cut stamps out of linoleum. I love the pattern you created, it reminds me of Mexican folk art, very festive! Thanks for sharing your creative process!

    Reply
  • Love the interlocking of the colors.

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  • Love the interlocking of the colors.

    Reply
  • Love the interlocking of the colors.

    Reply
  • Love the interlocking of the colors.

    Reply
  • Love the interlocking of the colors.

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  • Love the interlocking of the colors.

    Reply
  • You are the best when it cones to create a handmade rubber stamp, how do you align them to stamp
    So perfectly on the paper ? I struggle with that when I stamp with a non clear stamp.

    Reply
  • You are the best when it cones to create a handmade rubber stamp, how do you align them to stamp
    So perfectly on the paper ? I struggle with that when I stamp with a non clear stamp.

    Reply
  • You are the best when it cones to create a handmade rubber stamp, how do you align them to stamp
    So perfectly on the paper ? I struggle with that when I stamp with a non clear stamp.

    Reply
  • You are the best when it cones to create a handmade rubber stamp, how do you align them to stamp
    So perfectly on the paper ? I struggle with that when I stamp with a non clear stamp.

    Reply
  • You are the best when it cones to create a handmade rubber stamp, how do you align them to stamp
    So perfectly on the paper ? I struggle with that when I stamp with a non clear stamp.

    Reply
  • You are the best when it cones to create a handmade rubber stamp, how do you align them to stamp
    So perfectly on the paper ? I struggle with that when I stamp with a non clear stamp.

    Reply
  • You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please what inks/stamp pads did you use for the coloured prints? Thanks!!

    Reply
  • You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please what inks/stamp pads did you use for the coloured prints? Thanks!!

    Reply
  • You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please what inks/stamp pads did you use for the coloured prints? Thanks!!

    Reply
  • You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please what inks/stamp pads did you use for the coloured prints? Thanks!!

    Reply
  • You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please what inks/stamp pads did you use for the coloured prints? Thanks!!

    Reply
  • You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please what inks/stamp pads did you use for the coloured prints? Thanks!!

    Reply
  • My favorite journeys are into your brain. Ok, that sounded way less creepy in my head.
    I love and appreciate you sharing your process. Best teacher EVAH!!!

    Reply
  • My favorite journeys are into your brain. Ok, that sounded way less creepy in my head.
    I love and appreciate you sharing your process. Best teacher EVAH!!!

    Reply
  • My favorite journeys are into your brain. Ok, that sounded way less creepy in my head.
    I love and appreciate you sharing your process. Best teacher EVAH!!!

    Reply
  • My favorite journeys are into your brain. Ok, that sounded way less creepy in my head.
    I love and appreciate you sharing your process. Best teacher EVAH!!!

    Reply
  • My favorite journeys are into your brain. Ok, that sounded way less creepy in my head.
    I love and appreciate you sharing your process. Best teacher EVAH!!!

    Reply
  • My favorite journeys are into your brain. Ok, that sounded way less creepy in my head.
    I love and appreciate you sharing your process. Best teacher EVAH!!!

    Reply
  • WOW another whole world is opening up.

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  • WOW another whole world is opening up.

    Reply
  • WOW another whole world is opening up.

    Reply
  • WOW another whole world is opening up.

    Reply
  • WOW another whole world is opening up.

    Reply
  • WOW another whole world is opening up.

    Reply
  • I love how your brain works! Please keep sharing the wonders of your creative mind.

    Reply
  • I love how your brain works! Please keep sharing the wonders of your creative mind.

    Reply
  • I love how your brain works! Please keep sharing the wonders of your creative mind.

    Reply
  • I love how your brain works! Please keep sharing the wonders of your creative mind.

    Reply
  • I love how your brain works! Please keep sharing the wonders of your creative mind.

    Reply
  • I love how your brain works! Please keep sharing the wonders of your creative mind.

    Reply
  • Wherein Julie makes beautiful art with something she labels garbage — lol 🙂

    Reply
  • Wherein Julie makes beautiful art with something she labels garbage — lol 🙂

    Reply
  • Wherein Julie makes beautiful art with something she labels garbage — lol 🙂

    Reply
  • Wherein Julie makes beautiful art with something she labels garbage — lol 🙂

    Reply
  • Wherein Julie makes beautiful art with something she labels garbage — lol 🙂

    Reply
  • Wherein Julie makes beautiful art with something she labels garbage — lol 🙂

    Reply
  • Great inspiration. I need to get some carving tools out.

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  • Great inspiration. I need to get some carving tools out.

    Reply
  • Great inspiration. I need to get some carving tools out.

    Reply
  • Great inspiration. I need to get some carving tools out.

    Reply
  • Great inspiration. I need to get some carving tools out.

    Reply
  • Great inspiration. I need to get some carving tools out.

    Reply
  • I was duly impressed following your process until I got to your colored tag with the added small stamp in a constrasting color scheme in the middle and the whole thing made me exclaim a “ouhouh…” with joy. Beautiful, Julie.

    Reply
  • I was duly impressed following your process until I got to your colored tag with the added small stamp in a constrasting color scheme in the middle and the whole thing made me exclaim a “ouhouh…” with joy. Beautiful, Julie.

    Reply
  • I was duly impressed following your process until I got to your colored tag with the added small stamp in a constrasting color scheme in the middle and the whole thing made me exclaim a “ouhouh…” with joy. Beautiful, Julie.

    Reply
  • I was duly impressed following your process until I got to your colored tag with the added small stamp in a constrasting color scheme in the middle and the whole thing made me exclaim a “ouhouh…” with joy. Beautiful, Julie.

    Reply
  • I was duly impressed following your process until I got to your colored tag with the added small stamp in a constrasting color scheme in the middle and the whole thing made me exclaim a “ouhouh…” with joy. Beautiful, Julie.

    Reply
  • I was duly impressed following your process until I got to your colored tag with the added small stamp in a constrasting color scheme in the middle and the whole thing made me exclaim a “ouhouh…” with joy. Beautiful, Julie.

    Reply
  • Such a cool design! Amazing how doodles can come together with scraps of rubber and your creative genius to make something so beautiful!

    Reply
  • Such a cool design! Amazing how doodles can come together with scraps of rubber and your creative genius to make something so beautiful!

    Reply
  • Such a cool design! Amazing how doodles can come together with scraps of rubber and your creative genius to make something so beautiful!

    Reply
  • Such a cool design! Amazing how doodles can come together with scraps of rubber and your creative genius to make something so beautiful!

    Reply
  • Such a cool design! Amazing how doodles can come together with scraps of rubber and your creative genius to make something so beautiful!

    Reply
  • Such a cool design! Amazing how doodles can come together with scraps of rubber and your creative genius to make something so beautiful!

    Reply
  • Wow, those are great !! Creative, beautiful design – gives a great pattern, both in black/white and in colour !

    Reply
  • Wow, those are great !! Creative, beautiful design – gives a great pattern, both in black/white and in colour !

    Reply
  • Wow, those are great !! Creative, beautiful design – gives a great pattern, both in black/white and in colour !

    Reply
  • Wow, those are great !! Creative, beautiful design – gives a great pattern, both in black/white and in colour !

    Reply
  • Wow, those are great !! Creative, beautiful design – gives a great pattern, both in black/white and in colour !

    Reply
  • Wow, those are great !! Creative, beautiful design – gives a great pattern, both in black/white and in colour !

    Reply
  • Scraps are very useful! A sliver can touch up a spot where the ink didn’t quite make it; you can repair a word stamp by carving that nicked letter from a scrap, and after trimming the broken one from the word and stamping it, you can stamp the new letter; you can make dots of all sizes; and you have kept something out of the landfill! Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • Scraps are very useful! A sliver can touch up a spot where the ink didn’t quite make it; you can repair a word stamp by carving that nicked letter from a scrap, and after trimming the broken one from the word and stamping it, you can stamp the new letter; you can make dots of all sizes; and you have kept something out of the landfill! Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • Scraps are very useful! A sliver can touch up a spot where the ink didn’t quite make it; you can repair a word stamp by carving that nicked letter from a scrap, and after trimming the broken one from the word and stamping it, you can stamp the new letter; you can make dots of all sizes; and you have kept something out of the landfill! Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • Scraps are very useful! A sliver can touch up a spot where the ink didn’t quite make it; you can repair a word stamp by carving that nicked letter from a scrap, and after trimming the broken one from the word and stamping it, you can stamp the new letter; you can make dots of all sizes; and you have kept something out of the landfill! Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • Scraps are very useful! A sliver can touch up a spot where the ink didn’t quite make it; you can repair a word stamp by carving that nicked letter from a scrap, and after trimming the broken one from the word and stamping it, you can stamp the new letter; you can make dots of all sizes; and you have kept something out of the landfill! Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • Scraps are very useful! A sliver can touch up a spot where the ink didn’t quite make it; you can repair a word stamp by carving that nicked letter from a scrap, and after trimming the broken one from the word and stamping it, you can stamp the new letter; you can make dots of all sizes; and you have kept something out of the landfill! Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • This is so cute Julie! I love rubber stamping, tried it on paper and wall in my post as well. These happy colors are just beautiful. It’s so good to see new ideas.:) Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • This is so cute Julie! I love rubber stamping, tried it on paper and wall in my post as well. These happy colors are just beautiful. It’s so good to see new ideas.:) Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • This is so cute Julie! I love rubber stamping, tried it on paper and wall in my post as well. These happy colors are just beautiful. It’s so good to see new ideas.:) Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • This is so cute Julie! I love rubber stamping, tried it on paper and wall in my post as well. These happy colors are just beautiful. It’s so good to see new ideas.:) Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • This is so cute Julie! I love rubber stamping, tried it on paper and wall in my post as well. These happy colors are just beautiful. It’s so good to see new ideas.:) Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • This is so cute Julie! I love rubber stamping, tried it on paper and wall in my post as well. These happy colors are just beautiful. It’s so good to see new ideas.:) Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Awesome idea!!!LOVED the idea! The end pattern looks so cool! Will try it from my scrap pieces of lino…

    Reply
  • Awesome idea!!!LOVED the idea! The end pattern looks so cool! Will try it from my scrap pieces of lino…

    Reply
  • Awesome idea!!!LOVED the idea! The end pattern looks so cool! Will try it from my scrap pieces of lino…

    Reply
  • Awesome idea!!!LOVED the idea! The end pattern looks so cool! Will try it from my scrap pieces of lino…

    Reply
  • Awesome idea!!!LOVED the idea! The end pattern looks so cool! Will try it from my scrap pieces of lino…

    Reply
  • Awesome idea!!!LOVED the idea! The end pattern looks so cool! Will try it from my scrap pieces of lino…

    Reply
  • You are so incredibly clever.

    Reply
  • You are so incredibly clever.

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  • You are so incredibly clever.

    Reply
  • You are so incredibly clever.

    Reply
  • You are so incredibly clever.

    Reply
  • You are so incredibly clever.

    Reply
  • You are so clever and lovely for sharing! Love watching your videos and photo process. Thanks for letting us drop by;)

    Reply
  • You are so clever and lovely for sharing! Love watching your videos and photo process. Thanks for letting us drop by;)

    Reply
  • You are so clever and lovely for sharing! Love watching your videos and photo process. Thanks for letting us drop by;)

    Reply
  • You are so clever and lovely for sharing! Love watching your videos and photo process. Thanks for letting us drop by;)

    Reply
  • You are so clever and lovely for sharing! Love watching your videos and photo process. Thanks for letting us drop by;)

    Reply
  • You are so clever and lovely for sharing! Love watching your videos and photo process. Thanks for letting us drop by;)

    Reply
  • Wonderful. I love how your brain works. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Wonderful. I love how your brain works. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Wonderful. I love how your brain works. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Wonderful. I love how your brain works. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Wonderful. I love how your brain works. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Wonderful. I love how your brain works. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Wonderful, You are the best….

    Reply
  • Wonderful, You are the best….

    Reply
  • Wonderful, You are the best….

    Reply
  • Wonderful, You are the best….

    Reply
  • Wonderful, You are the best….

    Reply
  • Wonderful, You are the best….

    Reply
  • Some of the best-looking “garbage” I have seen in a long time. You are amazing.

    Reply
  • Some of the best-looking “garbage” I have seen in a long time. You are amazing.

    Reply
  • Some of the best-looking “garbage” I have seen in a long time. You are amazing.

    Reply
  • Some of the best-looking “garbage” I have seen in a long time. You are amazing.

    Reply
  • Some of the best-looking “garbage” I have seen in a long time. You are amazing.

    Reply
  • Some of the best-looking “garbage” I have seen in a long time. You are amazing.

    Reply

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