Who doesn't like foiling?! It's such a fun and easy way to add a bit of bling to your projects. In this video I'm sharing two different ways to add foil to your stenciled projects: using TCW Hot Foil Gel or TCW Tacky When Dry Gel. Both methods give you beautiful results, it's simply about how you want to get the job done. My laminator and the foil I used. The stencil I'm using in the video is one of my (Balzer Designs) designs for The Crafter's Workshop. It's called X-Trail: I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Thanks for stopping... Read more →

Today I'm sharing a little bit about how I like to use Distress Oxide Spray Ink and Distress Stain Spray Ink with stencils. The stencil in this video is called "Rows of Lines," and it's one of my new 2021 designs for The Crafter's Workshop. Here's the video: A few notes about these spray inks: I don't spray in a box and I don't worry about it getting everywhere because I work on top of a big piece of paper. All Distress products are all water reactive. This means that even after they are dry, they can be re-activated. They... Read more →

After years and years of being a devoted cosmetic sponge user...dare I say I was one of the very first to use the method way back in 2009...I have now fallen in love with stencil brushes. Here are a few basic tips to get you started on a new love affair (mostly, it's faster): In the video I'm using: Dynasty Stencil-Pro Brushes Krylon Easy-Tack TCW941: Rainbow Montage Here's a peek at two of the tags I made during the video: I love how adding the white gave the rainbows a bit of a glow! Are you a stencil brush user... Read more →

Do you like nice neat precise stenciling? Or are you more of a messy stenciling fan? Getting the look you want is all about understanding how the medium you're using needs to be handled. The wetter the medium, the more likely you're going to get roll under. But you can take some careful steps to avoid roll under with all mediums. In the video I use the "Messy Writing" stencil I designed for The Crafter's Workshop... ...with a Distress Ink Pad, TCW Stencil Butter (modeling paste-ish), Heavy Body Acrylic Paint, Fluid Acrylic Paint, and Distress Stain Spray Ink. Watch the... Read more →

I've been designing stencils for The Crafter's Workshop since 2011, but I haven't released any new designs for almost eighteen months (let's call it maternity leave). I'm so excited to have NINE fabulous new designs available in both 6x6 and 12x12. Yay! Come with me as I see the new designs for the first time in this unboxing of the new 2021 Balzer Designs Stencils! Lots more stencil videos to come. Also: Be sure to click through this link to set a reminder for my live stencil party on August 23 at 8pm EST. You can buy these stencils at... Read more →

I've got seven more abstract mixed media collages for you! I constructed all of these pieces using a grid design, and following my "Art Parts" theory of construction. I'm in the middle of this series and I can feel that I'm entering into a more experimental -- and slightly more uncomfortable -- phase of creating. It's a good (and scary) feeling. Do you have a favorite among these mixed media collages? I have a few, for different reasons. :) Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

As I mentioned last week, I recently issued a personal challenge to myself to create 30 mixed media collages based on "the grid" design. Here are eight of them: Do you have a favorite? I am amazed how one simple design idea can take so many disparate forms. It's rather exciting, isn't it? I think I could probably create piles and piles of artwork over many years using this one simple design! If you'd like to learn more about how to use "the grid" design, sign up for my live online class on August 14. Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

Several months ago, during a monthly member livestream, someone asked me a question about stencil design. As part of my demo, I hand cut this teeny tiny stencil: While cleaning up my studio this week, I found it. And it inspired me to create three new stencil designs. Basically, I made a cleaned-up digital version of my original hand cut stencil and then played with it in Adobe Illustrator. Here are some gelatin prints I made using these stencils: Which one is your favorite? If you'd like to learn all of my gelatin printing secrets, check out my online gelatin... Read more →

The folks at The Crafter's Workshop sent me some of their new stencil butters to try out. And so I did! You can watch my explorations in the video below: Links: Stencil Butter Shimmery Goodness Palette Paper Palette Knife Black Tags Manila Tags Stencils: Cut Outs, Shape Landscape, Fantasy Tile Stencil 101 free e-mail course And here is another peek at the tags from the video: Let me know if you've tried out the stencil butters or the shimmery goodness. Any thoughts on using them? I'm kind of tempted to try the stencil butters on my gelatin plate next! Thanks... Read more →

Stenciling once is fine. But stenciling twice is super cool! These cards feature a mixture of hand cut masks and stencil, along with a Crafter's Workshop stencil I designed several years ago. Watch the video for the how-to: Supplies: white cardstock transfer tape Identi-Pen craft knife & cutting mat Distress Ink Ink Blending Tools scrap of paper for extra masking optional: release paper The stencil is called "Christmas Words." Sadly, it's discontinued, but you might like THIS or THIS. painter's tape tape runner paper trimmer blank black card I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. This is a technique that you... Read more →