How To Make A Lion Rosette

Ishtar Olivera’s new book I Love Stamping features over 100 cute Japanese-inspired stamping designs to carve, ink and stamp. We caught up with her to ask a few important questions…

How did the opportunity to write a book come about?
When I started buying craft books years ago, especially Japanese ones, I became smitten with the idea of writing my own one day and having it published. I collaborated on other craft books as a contributor but that only increased my desire to have a book of my own. One day I bought Erika Knight’s book Simple Knitting and loved how well it was put together. I knew then I wanted Quadrille to be my publisher. I sent them a proposal which, luckily, they all loved and we quickly started working on the book.

What’s your crafty background?
I’m a self-taught artist and crafter, driven by a curiosity to learn new skills and the desire to improve myself. I love being creative and doing things with my hands!

Tell us a little about the papercrafting traditions of Japan
Japan is a country were craftsmanship has always been highly valued. Origami is the most popular craft and well-known worldwide, but there are many more! For example, stamp carving is so popular they even teach it to children in schools. Other popular crafts include creating handmade paper and wrapping gifts.

What’s the easiest way to carve a stamp for a beginner?
It’s quite easy because the technique is very basic. I would suggest beginning with something simple like a heart or a star - try a motif that will spark your imagination but not put you off! Practise and enjoy the learning process and as you grow in confidence, move onto carving more intricate shapes. My workshop attendees get so excited when they realise how easily and quickly they can carve beautiful stamps. It’s very satisfying.

What’s your favourite project in the book?
It’s hard to choose - they are all so dear to me! I guess I would choose the furoshiki wrap. I love how easy it is to decorate a piece of fabric and give it so many uses. This Japanese wrapping technique is so versatile.

The book is dedicated to your mum – how did she inspire you?
She was a very inspiring and creative woman in so many ways. She lived a creative life, not only through art and crafts which she loved and was very good at, but also in her approach to life. She was never scared to reinvent herself, to live life to the fullest, to have a positive and proactive attitude no matter what, to dare, to embrace the unknown and, most importantly, to treat everyone with love and affection. She genuinely brought out the best in everyone.

Find out more about the book, released in April 2016, here.

How to make a lion rosette

You will need: white card, pencil, compasses, scissors, washi tape, lion stamp, ink, double-sided tape

1. Draw a 4.5cm circle on card and cut it out. Without cutting your washi tape from the roll, attach the end to the card disc at a 90 degree angle, with about a third of the width of tape sticking to the card. Pinch and fold the washi tape to form tiny pleats, as shown. Continue until you have a rosette effect covering the outside edge of the disc. Cut the tape and pleat the end to create a neat finish.

2. Cut two 6cm pieces of washi tape and fold each one across the width so that it’s not quite in half, leaving a 1cm sticky tab. Cut a point out of the non-sticky end of each strip and attach to the back of the rosette. Apply ink to a lion stamp and print onto white card. Leave to dry then cut out and stick it to the centre of the rosette with double-sided tape.