Craft Test Dummies

The Crafting Blog for Crafters, By Crafters

Home / Craft Product Reviews / Craft Fave: The Crafter’s Workshop Stencils by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Craft Fave: The Crafter’s Workshop Stencils by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Earlier this year, both Jenny and I gave you our opinions on the undeniably wonderful stencils made by the great folks at The Crafter’s Workshop.  We loved them so much that Jenny even gave them the “Craft Test Dummies stamp of approval.”  Well…you may recall that during the summer, Jenny posted a brief update about some new stencils released by The Crafter’s Workshop.  Not only did they release new stencils of their own design, but they had teamed up with mixed-media artist Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, who designed several more stencils…leading to an incredibly well-rounded group of new stencils to play with!  With each stencil available in either 12″x12″ or 6″x6″ size, there is sure to be one (or many) on your wish list!

To start off, I picked up where I had previously struggled in using the stencils…with spray inks.  After watching a couple of You-tube video’s, I picked up a tip for using spray inks with stencils – the paper towel roll!  So I set out to create some collage papers using my Adirondack Color Wash sprays (which I LOVE!).

Using Adirondack Color Wash spray with The Crafter's Workshop Flower Frame stencilÂ

 

Blotting excess spray with a paper towel roll seems to be the key to preventing seepage

You can see on my finished collage paper that each of the layers is visible, and that despite having used spray inks, there is not the runny-drippy-seepage that I had a problem with the last time I reviewed the stencils (before I knew about the paper towel trick).

Completed collage paper using Adirondack Color Wash sprays and stencils by The Crafter's Workshop - Love Beads, Swiss Dot, and Flower Frame

This is another collage paper I created, using a combination of the Adirondack Color Wash Sprays and Ranger Distress Stain.  Again you can see relatively clean lines, and each of the layers is clearly visible.

Collage paper created using Adirondack Color Wash sprays and Ranger Distress Stain, with Squircle and Punchinella stencils from The Crafter's Workshop

Next I tried using acrylic paint with the stencils – again making my own collage papers.  (I’ve been on a kick lately with this making my own collage papers.)  I used make-up sponges to apply the paint through the stencil, and was very happy with the result – nice, clean lines.  The only time I had a problem is if I got too much paint on my sponge (look closely at the purple stars…you can see where some of the paint went under the stencil because I used too much paint).

Collage paper created using acrylic paint and Flower Frame stencil from The Crafter's Workshop

 

Collage paper created using acrylic paint and Triangle Plaid and Punchinella stencils from The Crafter's Workshop

 

Collage paper created using acrylic paint and Punchinella stencil from The Crafter's Workshop

 

Another medium to use with the stencils is Distress Ink – this is one of the best ways to get super clean lines, and because Distress Inks blend so easily, you can get some really cool color effects.

Applying Distress Ink to cardstock over stencil from The Crafter's Workshop

 

Distress Ink on cardstock applied with Triangle Plaid stencil from The Crafter's Workshop

 

You can also use simple pens, pencils or markers with the stencils.  I used the Circle Circle Dot stencil to create the journaling areas on this art journal page, with my Faber-Castell Big Brush Pens, and I also traced the Ava face stencil using my black Pitt Artist Pen.  I then simply colored over the lines a bit with some oil pastels.

Stencils from The Crafter's Workshop used with markers to create journaling spaces and to outline face

 

But the Ava face stencil (along with the 2 other face stencils made by The Crafter’s Workshop) are not limited to simple tracing, and they aren’t limited to what you see on the stencil.  This blog post shows a variety of ways to use the stencils creatively.  Here I used the Ava stencil, simply as a beginning structure, then painted over it and added hair as I wished, and painted in the lines when I was finished.  I’ve actually never painted a face before this one, but the stencils truly do help you by giving you a structure to work with…then you just play around with color.  To see the process from start to finish of how this face took form, check out the post on my own blog, My Crafty Friend Jen.

Face painted using Ava stencil from The Crafter's Workshop as a beginning structure

 

Finally, I used the stencils in one slightly less conventional way – to make a homemade stamp – from Styrofoam.  I used one of the hands from the 12×12 Henna Hands stencil as my guide – and you can see my stamped image here on this art journal page.  I love the results.  (I also used the Punchinella stencil on this page – another of my favorites.)

Henna Hands stencil used to create a stamp from Styrofoam; image stamped on art journal page; Punchinella stencil also used on this page

 

I have to tell you – I rarely do any kind of project anymore without using these stencils.  They are just that wonderful.  And they are reasonably priced too.  At a price of $6.99 for the 12″ ones and $4.39 for the 6″ ones, they are significantly less expensive than many other art stencils on the market…but fair warning, you won’t be able to stop at just one or two!

Disclosure: samples provided for review.

Comments

  1. Oh you are SO right about not being able to stop with them!!! I bought my first one last winter, and have about a dozen now. AND in both sizes!
    I have recently done an art store hand’s on demo with them and the peeps LOVED them! I also have an upcoming class planned using them.
    The Punchinella has to be my favorite! I use them with Distress Inks, acrylics, mica mists (pick any brand) and color wash. I’ve even made some tags in a Christmas theme, just waiting for finishing.
    Kids had no problem using them with ink pads, as long as they were the ones that were not superfine details. Parents loved the easy clean up! Hours of fun with these! I love them and can’t wait for the new designs to show up at CHA!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

jenny-headshot-square

Jenny Barnett Rohrs is Head Dummy and Pied Piper behind CTD, which focuses on reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news. Jenny has appeared on HSN, Scrapbook Soup PBS series, and is currently the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS.

ctd-fb-30  ctd-pin-30  ctd-twitter-30  cts-insta-30  ctd-youtube-30  ctd-g-30  ctd-email-30  ctd-rss-30

Copyrighted Content Permission All images and tutorials on this blog are copyrighted material. Please contact me if you would like to borrow any media (photos, video or audio files), tutorials, or ideas from this blog. 99% of the time I would be happy to allow you to use one photo with appropriate credit and link back to CraftTestDummies.com (preferably to the same post it was borrowed from.)
clever-network  linqia  viglink
MENU