Looking for alternative rubber stamps

July 10, 2008 9:31 AM

Looking for rubber stamps that AREN'T pretty flowers or happy things.

I recently entered the stamping world, thanks to my mother-in-law giving me all her stamping materials (most of which are Stampin' Up sets). I've been having oddles of fun combining the stamps, trying new techniques, and learning all sorts of things.

However, the one thing I haven't been able to find are stamps that aren't flowers, or bears with hearts, or flowing fonts, etc. More specifically, I'm looking for stamps of gothic images, swear words, skeletons, and other types of grim, depressing things. Yeah, this is totally opposite from the general theme of stamps, which is probably why my googling has turned up nothing.

I'm aware that I can make my own stamps, or have them commissioned, and I may take that approach if I can't find any pre-made ones. And I'm sure there is some overlap with Halloween stamps... but surely I'm not the only person who wants these stamps, right?

posted by Meagan to media & arts (14 comments total)

There is a woman on another board that I frequent who is currently in the process of purging her stamp collection. She's sending up to 100 each to anyone who wants them for the price of postage only. Apparently she's got quite a variety. MefiMail me if you'd like her contact info.
posted by Oriole Adams at 9:40 AM on July 10

Yo Yo Yo.

Happy stamping!
posted by LoriFLA at 9:46 AM on July 10

I empathize completely; personally I can't really stand all those cutesy hearts and flowers and teddy bears and what-have-you. I've ordered with good results from 100 Proof Press and Stamp Zia. Other sites I know about but haven't ordered from include Meer Image,Stamp Francisco, and Sideshow Stamps. There used to be a site called Asta Arts that had some cool tattoo-inspired stamps, but they seem to be offline at the moment.
posted by Janta at 9:54 AM on July 10

I'm sorry I am reading this at work when all my stamps and stamp info are at home (brain freeze - yikes!)
In the meantime, perhaps these general non-cutsey will help:

http://www.abovethemark.com/ - lots of interesting stuff.
http://100proofpress.com/store/index.php (nudes, skeletons, so much more!)
http://www.stampostore.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=53 (general oddities from VivaLasVegas Stamps)

MeFi mail me if you want; I am a non-cutesy stamper myself :)
posted by pointystick at 9:55 AM on July 10

Craft store usually have some Halloween stamps with skulls, etc. You may have to wait a couple of months to get a good selection.
posted by mikepop at 10:01 AM on July 10

I'm back; this was driving me nuts that I couldn't remember some of my favorites!
Non Sequitur's "Grave Tidings" plate of unmounted stamps
LA RubberWorks has beaucoup de skeletons
Rubber Poet
Stamper's Anonymous (a favorite of mine)
posted by pointystick at 10:15 AM on July 10

I've had good luck finding oddball stamps on Etsy- lots of people make custom designs in very non-traditional motifs.
posted by Mamapotomus at 10:52 AM on July 10

It's coming up as an error for me at the moment, but Asta Arta use to have exactly the kind of thing you're talking about.

I've always liked the unique stamps I've found at Purple Onion Designs.
posted by shesbookish at 10:55 AM on July 10

I found a great one in my bosses desk that said "BULLSHIT" in block caps.

Yes I took it.
posted by emptyinside at 1:19 PM on July 10

impress rubber stamps and paper source have a lot of traditionalish stamps, but some cool ones too. And I love the stamps available through the small object.
posted by logic vs love at 1:22 PM on July 10

I own a stamp company. I hate cute stuff. Particularly teddy bears with balloons. I will never sell a stamp showing a teddy bear with a balloon.

I have some stamps you might like. Unfortunately, my stock is kind of low at the moment because I'm trying to decide whether to keep the business going or not -- sales have plummeted over the last year and a half. I guess the stamping fad is well and truly over.

But I do still have a bunch of things in stock. rubbertrouble.com.
posted by litlnemo at 1:30 PM on July 10

There are some great non-cutesy stamps here. Lots of original Alice in Wonderland, Edward Gorey, Victoriana, etc.
posted by corey flood at 4:29 PM on July 10

The Peddlers Pack @ http://www.peddlerspack.com (or google will come up with alot of results to because they also sell to big name retailers sometimes).

Their website - well, it could use some work...but their store is FANTASTIC (shame you dont live in Beaverton, OR). They make their OWN line of stamps, which are fantastic (which I cant seem to find on the website) - if you are really into it, I bet it would be worth ordering their catalog.

As a bonus, they also do custom made stamps on the cheap.
posted by Jenny is Crafty at 5:28 PM on July 10

Gotta tell you, making your own is extreeemely satisfying. In high school I made stamps of the symbols for poison, radioactivity, biohazard etc and was basically the coolest girl in school.
posted by crinklebat at 8:32 PM on July 10