BLOG GIVEAWAY !! Handcrafted Rubber Ink Stamp from Nikoart

Ink stamps are perfect stocking stuffers, because they're small, affordable, and fun. But instead of relying on the sometimes "tired" selection of stamps available at commercial craft and hobby stores, why not go for these unique handcrafted rubber stamps from Etsy seller Nikoart? The Etsy shop profile explains artist Nicole's process in detail, using red rubber that she mounts onto maple wood blocks to create these stamps from her own illustrations.

I have to confess that the first of Nicole's stamps to catch my eye was the tuxedo cat shown in the set above, which isn't surprising considering how many tuxedo cats I have at home.... But then I started browsing through her shop, and I felt like a kid in a candy store! The 1-inch tuxedo cat stamp can be purchased individually for $4.00, or as part of this set of four cat stamps for $15.00. Personally, I'd have to go for the whole set because the cat cleaning itself with its foot in the air cracks me up -- the other night one of my cats finished cleaning just like that, only he forgot to put his foot back down, so he just sat there looking ridiculous (in a completely dignified cat kind of way, of course!).

Aside from the cats, there's a wide variety of critters, all drawn with the same simple, clean lines. There are also two "storybook" sets: one with Alice in Wonderland (shown left), and one with Red Riding Hood. I especially like the White Rabbit in the Alice set! There are holiday sets for Christmas and Halloween, a nautical set, a farm animals set, and so on. If you prefer slightly larger stamps, there are several 2-inch stamps to choose from, including a mischievous little garden gnome. I wish I could show all of the stamps here, but you'll just have to go and look at them yourself!

Even the prices are great: $4.00 for the 1-inch stamps, $7.00 for the 2-inch stamps, and $15 for a set of four 1-inch stamps (including a custom set of any four 1-inch stamps of your choice). You would pay at least this much if not more in the craft and hobby stores, and the stamps you'd get there wouldn't be nearly as nice. These will make terrific stocking stuffers for kids, or any-occasion gifts for crafters of all ages. You can use these stamps to create handmade greeting cards, while kids can use them to engage in "picture storytelling" of their own. And of course they're perfect for artist trading cards, or ATCs as we card artists like to call them.

The best part is that Nicole has kindly offered to send a two-inch stamp of choice to the lucky winner of my first blog giveaway! To enter, look at the selection of two-inch stamps here (a new window will open) and then leave a comment on this blog post. You can decide now which stamp you'd like if you win, or leave that decision until later if you prefer. I'll be taking entries from today (Sunday May 10) until Saturday May 16 at midnight CST, and will choose (in a random drawing) and announce the winner on Sunday May 17. Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you, or to come back and check for your name, whichever you prefer. One entry per person, please.

Personally, I'd have to go for the little garden gnome. Or the Chessy Cat. Or the owl....

What: Handcrafted Rubber Ink Stamps
Where: Nikoart (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): ranges from $4 to $15 (plus shipping) / one 2-inch stamp free to the giveaway winner!