A way to refresh a old collection: Stamps

Stamp collecting is a bit of a lost art. But, if you have them around, this is a fun way to put them to good use! Personally, I would love it as a way to display a relative’s old collection. A way of giving them new life instead of a old binder. This project is definitely not for those stamps that are worth any money, so check on that first! When stamps are grouped together they can make for huge impact and a really fun art piece  I wish I had more!

I was inspired by this image from Sweet Paul to buy that baggie of stamps initially at a Estate Sale .

I liked it, but I wanted to change a few things, first off. I had all colors of stamps, not just one, I also wanted some kind of border, and I’m not a huge fan of the overlapping. I really liked some of them and wanted each one to be seen, rather then blended together.

So I took my stamps. and the first thing I had to do was separate the stamp from the paper ( I really wanted the stamp-y edges) I used a blow dryer on hot as needed, since the stamps were old, most didn’t need much coaxing.

As I separated them I arranged by color (I love how order by color gives such a calming organizational look)

Then I laid them out in a way I wanted on a frame that I had around, The paper is drawing paper I cut to size)

It took a lot of trial and error to get them to fit together, while still having (most of) the edges in straight lines

Then I ran them through a xyron sticker maker, one by one to stick onto the paper cleanly. You can use any adhesive method but make sure all the little bits of stamp edges are covered. I didn’t want any raised edges that can happen from sticky dots or double sided tape.

I grouped it with a few other art pieces on my mantle

I’m really excited by how it turned out. Some of the stamps, I especially like. Like this olympics one (Although I wish it wasn’t cut off )

and this agate from Kenya

and this Awesome USA one

Yay, new mantle- post Christmas.

I hope some of you are inspired to try something similar, if you do please email it to us! ericaandkat@gmail.com.