Cactus Stamp Handle | DIY

I don’t often attempt DIY’s, because I’m great at starting projects, but terrible at finishing them. Procrastinators and Enneagram 9’s ya feel me?

That’s why this Stamp DIY is the best— it’s easy. And, potentially even do-able before the Holidays if you order before December 20 on Etsy!

Wanting stylish and unique-to-me home items (in this case, unique-to-me desks supplies) is how my DIY’s get started. So, whether or not I really needed pretty cactus stamps in my life, I knew this project would give me a one of a kind desk item no one else has. It’s thrilling when I think of it that way!

The idea for these came about when I was brainstorming creative ways to package my products for my vow-calligraphy business, The Vow Collective. I had been searching for cactus wrapping paper and couldn’t find any I absolutely loved, so I came up with the idea to create my own wrapping paper. 

Step One: Order Stamps

I found two cactus stamps I loved at this shop on Etsy. I ordered them Cling Mounted (mounted on foam) instead of on wood, mainly because I thought it would be fun to glue them to a pretty handle (I just wasn’t sure what pretty thing at the time). I wanted these stamps to be able to sit as functional decor on my desk, so I really wanted to find a cute Base/Handle.

STEP TWO: Find A BASE/handle

I had considered creating my own base out of clay, but I’ve never worked with clay before, so I opted for a Target run for inspiration. I first looked at Target’s crafting and wood options. I grabbed two small dinosaurs made of our paper mache. Dinosaurs camouflaged as stamps would have been so cute! BUT, as I was walking by the kitchen section I noticed two salt and pepper shakers shaped like cactuses. Since the rubber stamps I’d already bought were cactuses, I knew they were the answer.

I bought those cactus salt and pepper shakers and waited for my Etsy stamps to arrive. 

STEP THREE: CREATING AN EVEN SURFACE

The bottom of my salt and pepper shakers was dome shaped, so I knew I needed them to have a flat base in order for the stamp to work functionally. So, I got thrifty and found one of those felt stickies we used on the bottom legs of our couch to keep it from scratching up our floors, and, I stuck that felt sticky on the bottom of the stamp. It created the perfect even surface.

STEP FOUR: GLUE STAMP TO HANDLE/BASE

I then took a SMALL amount of gorilla glue, and glued the stamp to the base of the felt. Gorilla glue works on everything. It binds differing materials like magic. But a little goes a LONG way, so use sparingly.

I let the glue dry for thirty minutes, and my new DIY stamper was ready to go!

FINISHED PRODUCT:

Cute stamps. Cute branding. 

If You’re making this at home:

You could use SO MANY different things as your stamp handle/base. And you can order SO many fun stamps on Etsy. Search for your favorite thing on Etsy + the word “stamp”, and I guarantee you there’s a maker whose thought of it.

If you’re interested in making your own stamps to go with your cute handle, this is a great post for beginners.