My Stamping Set Up.

Just a quick post to show how I set myself up to get ready for stamping. 

I find it easiest to have everything set out in front of me; polish, top coat, image plate, stamper, scraper, cotton wool and cotton bud (both soaked in remover).  I also like to have a piece of kitchen roll down so I don't need to worry about any of the polish coming off the plate and getting on other things.

A lot of people like to work at a table but I prefer to lean on a large hardback book and cushion while sitting back on the couch.  As much becasue of laziness as a lack of space for a table. ;)



Homemade backing for stamping plates

Some image plates for nail stamping come without any backing on them, this leaves sharp edges which can either cut your fingers or scratch other plates, there is a simple way to rectify this issue if you do happen to buy plates with no backing.

What you will need:

Double sided sticky tape

Scissors

Scalpel

Card

(possibly a nail file)

Firstly, cover the back of your image plate with double sided sticky tape, trim away the excess using scissors, I find scissors work better than the scalpel at this stage, you should be left with this:

Next, peel off the backing from your tape and place the image plate onto a piece of firm card, press it down well to make sure it grips then cut around the plate using a scalpel:

Once you done that pop it out of the sheet of cardboard and tidy up the edges.  I find a nail file will take away any wispy bits you have left if you can't get them all with scissors or your scalpel.

You'll be left with neatly backed plates which won't harm you or your other plates.