#CarveDecember 2023 is Coming: Why Should You Participate?

It's time to prepare for #CarveDecember2023!  Here are the official prompts:

What is #CarveDecember?

It's a free-open-to-everyone online challenge to carve a stamp every day in December and post it online.

Why would I do this?

Here are a few reasons:

• Skill Development: Daily practice in stamp carving throughout the month can significantly enhance your skills. You'll have the opportunity to experiment with different carving techniques and develop your expertise.  
• Creativity Boost: The daily requirement encourages you to think creatively and push your boundaries. When you have to come up with a new piece every day, you're more likely to explore new ideas and approaches that you might not have considered otherwise.  It can also help you break through creative blocks.
• Consistency: Establishing a daily art routine can help you build discipline and consistency in your creative practice. This consistency can be crucial for long-term growth as an artist.
• Time Management: With a daily deadline, you'll learn to make the most of the time you have and become better at working quickly and not getting lost in the decision making process.
• Building a Portfolio: Over time, a daily challenge can help you amass a substantial body of work. This can be a great way to build a portfolio.
• Community Engagement: It's super fun to connect to other artists.  Sharing and commenting on others work can lead to valuable feedback, encouragement, and even friendship!
• Self-Discovery: Through daily practice, you might discover new interests and themes in your art that you hadn't explored before. It can be a journey of self-discovery and self-expression.
• Holiday Spirit: December is associated with a variety of holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve. If you wish, you can create holiday-themed stamps and artwork, spreading joy and festive spirit all month long.  I often use my custom stamps for holiday cards, gift tags, and wrapping paper.
• Countdown to the New Year: If you have a creative resolution, #CarveDecember can serve as a creative countdown to the New Year. Each day, you can design and carve a stamp that reflects your plans and hopes for the coming year.

As always, the key to this challenge is to enjoy the process, keep the challenge manageable, and take time to reflect on the unique and beautiful stamps you create throughout the month. Adapt the challenge to your own pace and style, and remember that the primary goal is personal growth and enjoyment of your art.  I do have a long list of helpful tips HERE.

One Note: Because of the hashtag mess over on instagram, I'm making a few changes this year.  You're welcome to keep posting on instagram.  If you do, please use the hashtag #CarveDecember2023 -- the 2023, should help posts be seen by more people.  That said, I've also created some space in my Facebook Group for Students for people to share. There's a dedicated album for #CarveDecember that any group member can add to.  And I put together a guide to help people prepare for #CarveDecember.

After thinking that I might not do Carve December this year, I got so many nice notes about how much it's meant to people, that I spent the last week putting together my CarveDecember Work Book for 2023 (and shared a video of it for students).  So I am ready to go!  Tomorrow, I'll be back with some of my favorite stamp carving supplies!

Thanks for stopping by!