Stampers and scrapbookers get a lot of use out of alphabet stamp sets, but they can be expensive. You will find unmounted alphabet stamps on eBay at pretty great prices. All you need is to know how to use them!

When you buy unmounted stamps, all you are bidding on is the rubber (or sometimes polymer - it's just as good). You will need to mount your stamps to make them usable. The first step is cutting the letters apart - you'll need sharp scissors, a steady hand and some patience.

Next you need to get each stamp onto a solid mount for stamping with. There are a bunch of options :

* mount them permanently on little cubes of wood, four or six to a block

* use a removable mounting system, based on hook-and-loop tape, cling vinyl, repositionable glue or some other mounting method, or

* do something quick and temporary, like smear glue stick on a block and use wash it off afterwards.

The main thing is to make sure that you feel encouraged to USE your alphabet stamps regularly - a little extra work getting them mounted may pay off later. I love to put mine onto little wooden cubes, four at a time. I label the tops of the cubes with the four letters represented. I use the bottom of the cube to write the name of the manufacturer (it's nice to remember who made the image - you may need to give them credit one day). Some of the cubes I use come from craft shops ready made, some are recycled beads or dice. I make some of my own wooden cubes by sawing off sections of wooden dowel - it's not very elegant, but I get to use my stamps all the time!

I hope this encourages you to look at unmounted alphabet stamps for your papercraft projects!