Natural Stamps

I recently noticed some interesting dried stems in clumps of grasses at my in-laws’ home near the beach outside of Charleston, South Carolina. The stems were all that remained of the grass seeds that emerged from the grass, as most of the seeds had already fallen. I immediately suspected that they would make excellent marks on clay, and wasted no time in foraging a number of the stems to bring back to play with.

For years now I have wanted to make a stamp that would impress a crisp outline into clay while allowing a convex “button” to emerge, similar to a rivet. These stems appeared promising, but I was not prepared for how well they would accomplish my vision.

The organic outline of the impressions, the little bean shapes emerging from inside, and the subtle stippling on the raised area - all of it knocks me over. I could not be more pleased with this experiment, and I hope to use these natural stamps extensively.

The moral of the story isn’t to find this exact species of grass. I couldn’t tell you what it is or where to find it. But the lesson I’m taking from this experience is to always be on the lookout for things in your everyday life that can be brought into service of your creative pursuits. Especially if you can tie the materials back to a place that has meaning to you. Grass seed stems, leaves, rocks, sticks, shells… The world is full of inspiration if we remember to look.