Sunday, May 10, 2009

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!


50 comments:

Karen said...

Love the cats. I have 5 of my own
Karen Seifert

mverno said...

i like the 2x2 Inch Henry the Lazy Hedgehog Rubber Stamp mverno@roadrunner.com

Orinda said...

Love those cats in any form or number. Orinda Spence crazypieces@live.com

Qwill said...

I like the tabby cat.

Anonymous said...

I personally think that the light owl stamp would be perfect for paper piecing techniques. I would love to use it on cards for Girl Scout leaders.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23016191 is my favorite and would love some dogs

Abby said...

Oh I really those Alice in Wonderland themed stamps!

ajcmeyer AT go DOT com

valerie2350 said...

i like the thank you owl :)

Michelle S. said...

These are so cute! I would choose Billy The Goat as my first choice.

lfhpueblo said...

The 2 inch by 2 inch Light Owl would be my choice if I won. I love birds, but can't have any because I'm allergic to feathers.

Singtatter said...

Difficult to decide - all are so cute. Finally - the Light Owl.

babalisme said...

I would love 2x2 Inch Light Owl Rubber Stamp !! I can't pick between the dark and light..but...

Anonymous said...

Out of the current selection, I'd go for the tabby cat. These are so adorable--thank you and congratulations on your first giveaway!

Bunny B said...

I love the 2x2 Inch Henry the Lazy Hedgehog Rubber Stamp!
bunnybx at gmail .c om

Lilly said...

I love the 2 Inch Thank You Owl Rubber Stamp. It is super cute!

Anonymous said...

I would 2x2 Inch Light Owl Stamp!
Thank you so much for the fun giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Sena said...

Henry the Lazy Hedgehog is super adorable!!!
sena.sagani[at]gmail[dot]com

D Q said...

I like the owl stamp. Very cute.

mverno said...

Billy The Goat mverno@roadrunner.com

danosor said...

The Owl stamp is my fave.

rush8888 said...

i have a few friends who would love the owl stamps. personally, i like the dignified cleaning-itself cat! i have 5 cats, too. anyone want pee-pee steve, who doesn't seem to use the litter box? again, love the stamps, and i wish nikoart the best.

purplegengar said...

I like the spiny Hedgehog

Unknown said...

Oh!!! I really like the cat stamps. I am a cat lover with a variety of cats we take care of. You are vey kind to share these cat stamps.

Storm, The Psychotic Housewife said...

aww I think Henry the Lazy Hedgehog is adorable!

stormraven at gmail dot com

kdkdkd said...

I would LOVE the 2x2 Inch Cheshire Cat Rubber Stamp

Anonymous said...

so sweet! i love stamps from nikoart :D i would choose the 2x2 Inch Henry the Lazy Hedgehog- so adorable! thanks a bunch.
littletjane@gmail.com

Jingle said...

I am a HUGE fan of Nikoart!!! I have a couple of her stamps and they are fantastic! I would love to add the "Henry the Lazy Hedgehog" to my collection!!!

tatertot374 said...

Thank you for a great giveaway! I like the 2 Inch Thank You Owl Rubber Stamp. Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

I love them all. I think I would like Henry the lazy hedgehog. It was so hard to decide. I love stamps! I will defiantely keep her in mind for new stamps!

ilovebabynoah707@yahoo.com

Lori said...

I'd pick the light owl or the light gnome, they're both so cute!
lkziegler[at]gmail[dot]com

noooooooooo said...

the dark owl stamp would make me so happy!
email-swatir.24@gmail.com

Jinxy and Me said...

These are so cute. I like the 2x2 Inch Tabby Cat Rubber Stamp
by nikoart

taylorbagels said...

2x2 Inch Light Hedgehog Rubber Stamp. I love stamping! electricisland(at)gmail.com

rosannepm said...

I like the Dark Owl and the Thank you Owl and congrats on your first blog giveaway!
rosans4@comcst.net

Unknown said...

I love the Cheshire Cat stamp!

thefatesarevicious at yahoo dot com

bloggytreasures said...

I really like the Tabby cat stamp!
quelleheure4[at]gmail{dot}com

demmi said...

2x2 Inch Light Owl Rubber Stamp con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

klp1965 said...

i like the 2x2 Inch Tabby Cat Rubber Stamp

kylie8cake said...

I love them all....the owls and the gnome are my favorite. I would pick the thank you owl.


kylie8cake(at)gmail(dot)com

cman said...

I love the 2 Inch Thank You Owl Rubber Stamp :)

Christina Claassen said...

I love the new otter stamp, but kitties are always very fun too! chrissycuba(at)yahoo.com.

remarker/fcffollower said...

They are all cute but would pick the 2 Inch Thank You Owl to give as a thank you to a friend who collects stamps

Angie said...

my fave is the 2x2 Inch Light Owl Rubber Stamp - so cute!!

Unknown said...

I like the Gnomes stamps. garrettsambo@aol.com

Helen said...

What lovely stamps! The Alice in Wonderland Rubber Stamp Set is my favorite and the tabby cat looks just like my Max.

/\Heather/\ said...

How cute!
I'd love the Henry the Lazy Hedgehog stamp. Adorable!

masonsgranny59 said...

Cats and Kittens

lilyk said...

Henry the Lazy Hedgehog is very cute!

ms.lilyk@gmail.com

SUNIT said...

I would love to have one of those.. :).... Hope to win.. :D

Amy's Stocking Stuffers said...

Thanks to everyone who entered! Please note that this giveaway is now closed.