I started Carve December way back in 2014 as a way to show people how easy stamp carving is. Twelve years later, I absolutely stand behind that. Stamp carving is easier, cheaper, and more fun than you may think it is.
Watch the video to see just how easy it is to carve a stamp!
Stamp Carving is Easy to Start & You Get Better Quickly
What I love most about stamp carving is that you don’t need fancy tools, expensive materials, or years of experience to get started. A simple block, a craft knife, and a bit of imagination are all you really need. The learning curve is wonderfully gentle — your first carved stamp will look like something, and your tenth one will look even better. It’s the kind of creative practice where you see your progress almost instantly.
These are some of the first stamps I ever carved, way back in 2009:
And here are some more recent ones (I hope you can see the improvement over time):
Stamp Carving is Super Flexible
Stamp carving is also incredibly flexible. Want bold graphic shapes? Carve them.
Prefer delicate line work? Carve that too.
You can create personalized patterns for art journals, handmade cards, fabric, gift wrap, mixed media pieces, and so much more.
Once you’ve carved a stamp, it becomes a reusable tool in your creative toolbox — a way to quickly add your unique artistic voice to anything you make.
Stamp Carving is Meditative and Relaxing
And here’s the truth I’ve learned after carving hundreds of stamps over the years: the process is meditative. Carving slows you down in the best possible way. It invites you to focus, to breathe, and to enjoy the tactile pleasure of making something with your hands. In a world of instant everything, carving a stamp feels grounding.
About Carve December
Carve December has grown into an annual celebration of creativity, community, and joyful making. Whether you join for all 31 days or carve just one stamp, you’re part of something bigger — a worldwide group of people discovering that they can make art, one cut at a time.
The “rules” of Carve December are simple:
- Carve a stamp
- Print the stamp
- Post a photo or video
Here’s a visual guide for you:
So if you’ve been curious about trying stamp carving, consider this your invitation. Grab a block. Pick up a tool. And carve. You might just surprise yourself with how satisfying, empowering, and downright addictive stamp carving can be!
Thanks for stopping by!
LINKS:
- Join the Carve December Crew!
- Online Stamp Carving Classes
- More Carve December information — including favorite supplies
- Video: Carve December Work Book Flip Through
- Balzer Designs Instagram — where I’ll be posting the stamps I carve!
Let me know if you have any questions!
