I used the sketches to create a new stamp to bring in the new year and start slowing down.  I tired to focus on the tear drop shape at the bottom of the exclamation point and combine that with the two tear drops that were touching point.  Below are the pictures from the process.

I started out with a lump of clay that was about 2 inches long.

I managed to use almost all of these to create this stamp.
I managed to use almost all of these to create this stamp.
what do you want to be
what do you want to be
the gist of what I want it to look like
the gist of what I want it to look like
making sure the edges are crisp
making sure the edges are crisp
I did not get it right the 1st time!
I did not get it right the 1st time!
So I started over.  I simply cut off the original design and now have a blank slate.
So I started over. I simply cut off the original design and now have a blank slate.
I've gotten crisp clear edges and now for the interior.
I’ve gotten crisp clear edges and now for the interior.
I made a larger stamp so I could practice the interior before starting on the actual stamp.
I made a larger stamp so I could practice the interior before starting on the actual stamp.
The first attempt at the interior.  I kind of got it....
The first attempt at the interior. I kind of got it….
This is the design I am going for.
This is the design I am going for.
I started the interior of the stamp.  Its important to have crisp clean lines on the inside as well.  This will allow the design to really show under the glaze.
I started the interior of the stamp. Its important to have crisp clean lines on the inside as well. This will allow the design to really show under the glaze.
I was having difficulty with the swoop design and changed direction to incorporate the tear drop repetition into the interior of the stamp.
I was having difficulty with the swoop design and changed direction to incorporate the tear drop repetition into the interior of the stamp.
This is what I ended up with and it could be very dynamic.
This is what I ended up with and it could be very dynamic.
The first stamp is completed and drying.  Its labeled with the month, week and year.
The first stamp is completed and drying. Its labeled with the month, week and year.