Each mail artist has tools they’d rather not work without – a specific type of glue stick or particular pen for writing, a certain paper or visual element – items which make it easier to get the job done, when it comes to creating. Occasionally, I have one of those “trapped-on-a-desert-island” conversations with other postal-ish friends (don’t you?) When asked, I always state that my rubber stamps are non-negotiable, the thing that I can’t be without, if the ship was sinking and I had to get off.
Mail artists have long used rubber stamps for their work: Arman, Guy Bleus (with his “mail art administration” rubber stamps), and Picasso Gaglione are just a few names that come to mind. Other folks are maestros when it comes to “soft block carving” (they don’t call it “eraser carving” anymore…) – take a look at the work of dumpster divers anonymous and Eraser Carver if you don’t believe me.
Rubber stamps are easy to obtain and easier to use. You don’t have to take a class to learn how to operate a rubber stamp – all skill levels are welcome here. As a portable mark-making device, it is an invaluable tool for mail artists – you can easily get your message across on multiple items, quickly and efficiently.
Which rubber stamps do I find myself using over and over again? An old alphabet set, purchased for me by the Baron (see above). Anything that looks vaguely “official” or bureaucratic. A modern date stamper purchased at Office Depot. And last but not least: a rubber stamp which says “Red Letter Day” in English and Hindi – a gift brought back from a traveling-to-India friend. The weirder the rubber stamp, the more I adore it.
So of course, that begs a question: what kinds of rubber stamps do you have in your arsenals, dear readers? Do you use them in your mail art works? And if you had to pick just one rubber stamp to take with you to that fictional desert island, which would it be?
Time to discuss amongst ourselves!
–JH
Some tidbits of interest:
— a great resource for mail artists: River City Rubber Works
–Keith Bates is a fantastic mail art Networker with a great eye for graphic design. He has designed fonts that can be downloaded for free…
–Ruud Janssen’s phenomenal “TAM Rubber Stamp Archive” blog is a great way to see some of the mail art/rubber stamp work in his archive; lots of history and inspiration!
i use my set of alphabet stamps by cavallini practically every day! i love the large, bold letters. the ‘par avion’ set is also great too.
another stamp i use is one i bought from an etsy shop and it’s called a ‘rolling alphabet stamp’ which looks like a gigantic library date stamp but with letters and numbers.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64601425/alphabet-rolling-stamp?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=rolling+alphabet+stamp&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title&filter%5B0%5D=supplies
if i were on a desert island i think i couldn’t live without the alphabet stamps and my rolling alphabet stamp. i’d try to sneak in my postmark stamps that are mounted on alphabet blocks too.
Miss Annie —
I’m with you! Alphabet stamps are a must. I didn’t realize how much I could/would use such a thing…but now I can’t imagine working without ’em. I’ve seen those “rolling alphabet stamps” (and been the recipient of some of your work showcasing said stamp!) — they are truly amazing! Many thanks for sharing the link here in the comments; I’m sure people are flying over to purchase right now!
–JH
Great post! I don’t really get “cute stamps” I guess, but useful ones like my beloved date stamp etc. are great both for journaling, letter writing and art projects!
You have a piece on its way as of Post Office hours tomorrow.
I got your book from my sisters as a Christmas Gift. Wonderful stuff!
I’d never thought of using the sewing machine to do my perfs, but now I have Thanks to You!
Mr. Dave —
Yay! Your very own copy of “Good Mail Day” — that’s pretty exciting. I’m glad that there is some inspiration among the pages for you…
I’ll be on the lookout for your mail; I’ve been finding some interesting old papers and ephemera around town this winter — I’m fairly certain that there will be a return envelope in your future! 🙂
–JH
Jennie – Is it okay if I post it on Friday with the Thank Yous to my sisters? Please.
Mr. Dave —
Something from you arrived in the mail, and boy-oh-boy was it beautiful! 🙂 Am working on a return reply…
–JH
great blog, and some great ideas. I’ll be back! 3 cheers for mail!
Miss Katie —
Thanks for stopping by! Glad that you found some inspiration — there’ll be plenty more to come in the new year!
–JH
I love my rubber stamps. These days I find I use clear stamps more often as they pack away more neatly and we only have a tiny house, but I do like a nice rubber stamp. For me, the toolI wouldn’t be without at the moment is tracing paper. I just love it.
Rubber stamps are really a great way to get motifs onto post, but with tracing paper you can copy anything you like and build up your patterns and images. Versatile.