It’s hard to believe it has been eighteen years. What an amazing adventure!
I’m celebrating today with a couple of sales. First, Tan-Z Kut is on sale all day. The stack looks a little like a layer cake, after all!
Tan-Z Kut Carving Block
Also, since change is inevitable, I am going to be replacing VersaMagic inks with a new line of pads and inkers I think will be an excellent addition to the mix. That means that I’m putting VersaMagic inks on sale for the rest of the month of February (or, as they say, as long as supplies last). Unfortunately, my basement can’t accomodate everything and I need to make space for the new kids on the block.
VersaMagic Inks and Inkers
VersaMagic is a great matte finish chalk ink and I’ve enjoyed using these in my own creations (and the tiny dew drop pad size makes these colors easy to carry in a pocket or backpack — just saying…). I’m sorry to see these little beauties go, but I’m also looking forward to new colors to play with!
Thank you for a fabulous eighteen years! I have the best customers on the planet!!
I just finished cutting a bunch of Tan-Z Kut and there are a number of Grade B blocks with small imperfections. Anyone willing to do a little bit of careful image placement can save 30% on these blocks. This time, there are three sizes available, 3 x 4, 4 x 6 and 6 x 10. (Just so you know, these are the blocks I generally use for my own carvings – I just created way more of them than I can use and thought I would share the wealth.) Look in the Bargain Basement section for these slightly flawed characters. 🙂
Baloo came to live with me 10 years ago today and went over the Rainbow Bridge a year ago tomorrow. I have so many wonderful memories of this sweet boy and I’m still missing him every single day.
So, since I can’t give him a treat today, I want to share one with you in honor of the best dog ever. Today and tomorrow, all Tan-Z Kut is on sale for 10% off.
A number of people asked about sanding images they had already carved in order to get better ink coverage. There are a couple of approaches that can be taken to improve how the block takes ink if it didn’t get sanded before carving.
The simplest method is to take a solvent based permanent ink like StazOn and cover the surface of the carving material with it and leave it to dry completely.
Sanding a Carved Block
If the simple inking option doesn’t do the trick and there is still an inking problem, try taking a very fine sandpaper (the sheet above is 600 grit) and putting it grit side up on a very flat surface.
Sanding a Carved Image
Then, keeping the block flat against the sanding surface, gently run the face of the carving around the sandpaper a few times. Make sure the surface is flat and check often to make sure it’s coming off evenly. Remember, not much needs to be removed – just the barest bit off the top to remove the extrusion residue. Also, be careful not to press too hard in any single spot, since the block is flexible and it’s possible to end up with uneven bits where fingers pressed the block into the sandpaper.
Some carvers also use the little manicure blocks that have grit on them. And, if the carving is particularly intricate and likely to wear away rapidly, holding a small piece of sandpaper in your fingers and very, very gently touching up the block’s surface can also work. Be particularly careful with this approach, as it’s easy to accidentally take an edge down too far, but if ink isn’t adhering to the block well enough to get a good print, it’s probably worth the risk.
I hope this helps a little – and feel free to ask questions! After all, that will help me know what might be useful to talk about here on this blog.
Also, it’s the anniversary of the day I began running Stampeaz many long years ago. So, I’m celebrating with 10% off Tan-Z Kut today. If you place an order, don’t forget to ask for some of the bits and bobs I mentioned in a previous blog post – I still have some to share, if you want.
On Memorial Day, I like to take Baloo walking out by the lighthouse and the old stone war memorial. Every time we walk out there, I stop and take some time to read the names and think of all the brave souls (both the soldiers and their families) who have sacrificed – and continue to sacrifice so much for the freedoms I enjoy and cherish. I hope that, wherever they are, they can sense the gratitude for all they’ve given.
So, with gratitude in mind, I also think about all the intrepid folks who have stuck with me through product development, a website crash and rebuild, a pandemic and a surprising amount of family stuff, where my attention has been scattered (at best). Thank you for being there!
So, I’m trying something out (still learning to work with parts of the new website…) as a bit of thanks to all of you. If everything has been done correctly (hah!), Tan-Z Kut should go on sale this weekend, from Saturday through Memorial Day. You’ll also find that I have (finally) added modified Speedball cutters back into inventory. I think Kirbert must have been wondering if I’d been abducted by aliens or something – it’s taken forever for me to get them listed!
