Hi all, very new letterboxer here. I've started with a store-bought stamp, but I'm about to order supplies to carve stamps, and would like to carve a signature stamp more suitable to my name. Is it cool to make a box with the old stamp in it?

Is it cool to make a box with the old stamp in it?

Sure is!

Sweet! It's super pretty (it's my favorite bird haha), so once I understand what a good hiding spot is, and carve my own stamp, it'll be out there for others to enjoy :)

yes. I turned mine into a PT (personal traveler) since it was so closely associated with me for months and I had done some exchanges with it.

Welcome.

Personally, I'd hold onto the stamp. It's quite fun after several years of letterboxing to still have the first signature stamp you started with. My grandchildren now use my store-purchased first stamp when I take them letterboxing.

I know of a letterboxer who for several years, recarved her signature stamp each year, and then, of course, she had a visual collection of her years as a carver and letterboxer.

Enjoy both planting and finding.
AW

Since the stamp is super pretty (and of your favorite bird), keep it as a Personal Traveler! We did that with our first sig stamps. You can even make a bird related question for others to figure out. Planted stamps may go missing after time, so if this stamp is special to you, you might consider sharing it personally at events and meet-ups instead.

J&J

That'd be a great idea! Do you generally come up with riddles in order for others to get your personal traveler? Or do people just ask if you have one? I'll be trying to attend the AZ gathering that's planned for this March, so I guess I'll experience it firsthand.

Do you generally come up with riddles in order for others to get your personal traveler? Or do people just ask if you have one?

It is exactly as difficult as you'd like it to be. Some people just have you ask. For others you have to find some information, from easy to difficult. And if you don't get it right, some people with help you get it right but others won't.

Make it as easy or as difficult as you'd like.

I do a variety of things. You can look in my logbook for examples of what I've done so far...(Plants-->Personal Travelers)

When you are on the Event Listing Page, there will be an icon close to the top Personal Travelers that looks like a suitcase. From there, you can see the attendees and what Personal Travelers they have, and if you have to do anything to get their stamp (under the "clues" area).

Have fun at the gathering!