One of my favorite things to do with recycled float glass is to use stamps and frits to print images on the glass. With a little ingenuity, you can print on both sides for a slightly 3D effect. This tutorial shows how to make a set of two stamps to print a butterfly on float glass prior to fusing. I’m using a large flat purple eraser from the dollar store for my stamps. I’m carving with an Exacto knife (be careful!!)
Step 1:
Draw your butterfly pattern. You should make sure that it will fit on the eraser before you decide on a final design.
Step 2. Transfer to the pattern to the stamp material (large rubber eraser in this case) and cut it out. We are actually making two stamps today, one with the butterfly outline, and one with the color blocks for the wings and body.
An easy way to transfer the pattern to the stamp rubber is to color over your lines with a soft pencil, then place the pattern face down on the rubber and run a tool over the back of the pattern.
Butterflydrawing
Butterfly Pattern
drawingonrubber
Place pattern facedown
rubdrawing
rub the back of the drawing
transferdrawing
Drawing transferred
You can darken any lines that you need to directly on the stamp.
Now, using your handy razor knife set, CAREFULLY cut away the rubber around your pattern lines. This is a stamp, so you’re just removing the top 1/8″.
Your end result should look somewhat like this:
Now repeat the process, but carve away the lines so you just have the inside of the butterfly design, like this:
But wait! There’s more…a tutorial about using these two stamps to make a set of butterfly coasters.