Ever wandered into a paper store and pined over all of their chic wrapping papers, gift tags and cards? You know what I’m talking about – those unique papers that have a little bit of homemade flair that you’re dying to buy. Here at Brit + Co. we decided it was time to revamp the classic holiday wrappings. What better way to do this then by creating your own custom stamps?
You could even get really crafty with them and customize your stamps with names. Plus, how awesome would it be to give a gift that was personalized? Everybody loves that. Just remember, if you’re going carve out letters, cut out their mirror image. And if you want your stamps to have clean edges, it’s always a good idea to wipe the excess ink off before you press them down onto your paper.
Materials:
– SpeedyCut rubber pad
– ink pad(s)
– pencil
– cardstock
– kraft paper
– boxes
– tags
Tools:
– Speedball linoleum cutter handle and blade
– Xacto knife
Brainstorm some design ideas. Use your Xacto knife to cut the rubber pad into appropriate shapes. We decided to make one large stamp and three small ones with simple geometric shapes.
Use a pencil to sketch designs onto the rubber pad.
Time to get down to business! Secure your linoleum cutter blade into the handle by twisting it into place.
Using the linoleum cutter, cut out your stamp designs. We started with a basic triangle.
Once you feel comfortable, get into more advanced designs like this geometric pattern.
Now we’re ready for the fun part! Press your stamp firmly onto the ink pad and lift it back up.
Place your stamp onto the surface and carefully lift it back up. Repeat!
Get creative with what you stamp. We love these personalized greeting cards.
As you can see, we went to town with these stamps. There are so many fun designs and combinations you can make!
It’s such a fun way to add an even more personal touch to every gift you give.
What other things will you use your stamps on? Tell us in the comments below!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.