Guess what I received in the mail last week? Two sets of new mandala stencils from Genevieve! One set for me to play with and another for a lucky blog ready! She recently announced she created this awesome set of tools…. well okay really they are more like the Sky Tech Lasers Toys to me, but you get my point. Right?! And I just had to get my hands on them to give them a spin around the block. I am tickled to get the chance to give a quick review of these stencils and to also offer you the opportunity to get a free set of them for yourself too!
These flexible mylar sheets contain rows of holes carefully measured out to help you create guide points on your page at the start of a mandala project. You lay the stencil on your paper so the center dot is where you want the middle of your mandala to be. Then, using a pencil you draw a small mark where each dot is on the stencil and this gives you the guide points needed to start drawing your repeat pattern art lines. Now if this sounds too confusing to you – no worries! Because Genevieve has a handy instruction sheet included in the package with these stencils and it shows exactly how to do this along with some examples to help you get the hang of it.
There are three stencils in the package. One includes guide dots at 10 degrees, one for 15 degrees and one for 22.5 degrees. And she has included on each of these sheets – a sticker to indicate which is which. I found that extra little detail to be handy indeed! Another thing I like about this product is that the pages are standard letter size. This makes it easy for me to store them in my pattern library binder along side some of my other drawing tools.
Peek into the Package
Here’s a little video Genevieve put together to show you how this product can work for you:
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Challenges Without Lines
In the video she describes how after drawing lines on her paper – she learned that she really only works with the points where the lines meet. And that’s the premise of this tools. It gives you those connecting points without you having to measure out and draw lines. This can save you time and allow you to use fewer tools to accomplish the task of drawing your guides at the start of a project.
Now what I learned along the way is that I do actually use the lines and the circular grid they create as a visual guide when adding my pen lines. So without having those lines in place, I was a bit lost the first time I used one of the stencils. I found myself having to stop and look closely at my dots periodically to make sure I was working evenly around the page. On my first mandala I didn’t do it right. The next one was easier for me to accomplish. It was really just a matter of learning to work with dots and getting accustomed to working without the lines on the paper.
Less is More
When using a guide of dots rather than lines you have less erasing to accomplish after your project is done. And sometimes you don’t even have to erase at all because the dots are usually covered up with your pen markings. Less time spent on erasing gives you more time for your creativity. And fewer chances of smearing your art work as well! So if you are used to working with grid lines like me – you might want to consider adjusting your process to work with the easier dot method as described by Genevieve. These stencils would be the perfect tool to help you along your creative pathway.
Get Yours Now!
Do you enjoy drawing mandalas? Like the idea of using fewer tools to accomplish the task of getting a guide into place as you start your project? How about using dots as guides rather than lines? If you answer yes to any of these questions then you are going to want to add this kit of stencils to your wish list and pick up your set straight away! Genevieve sells them directly from her Tangle Harmony website – jump over there now to place your order.
What’a Ya Think?
Remember I said I received two sets of these handy little stencils in the mail? Well that second package is sitting here on my drafting table waiting to go to a new home.
I invite you to leave your comments here letting me know your thoughts about this set of stencil tools, any other tools you find helpful, or tools you think may be handy to have – to assist with your drawing endeavors. On Halloween night (the 31st of this month) I’ll toss into a bucket the names of everyone who shared their thoughts here. I’ll then pull out one name and that person will be contacted for their address so I can zip this package off to you in the mail!
Mandala Made Using Genevieve’s Dot Stencil
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and passing along to one lucky raffle winner a set of terrific mandala stencils!
~Cindy
I am in my 50’s and this art has opened up a whole new world for me. So therapeutic too. Absolutely love your blog. Thank you for sharing it.
I would love to give these a try. Being on the OCD side of things, I find I really enjoy Zendalas. Thanks!
What an awesome idea!! I have been using round plastic canvas to kind of do the same thing, but it is much too bulky and hard to work with – these are so much classier!! Thanks for the opportunity to win a set!
Mandalas are so relaxing to draw and paint. With these stencils, I will now be in a Zen trance evertime I get into my next Mandala. Great tool!
This is great! I love what you have done using the stencils. Thank you for giving us a chance to win a set of the stencils.
For the past weeks, I have been dreaming about mandalas….. When I saw your post, my heart jumped in my chest. I want to lead workshops for women next year, incorporating yoga, mandala, and soul collage. This tool would be priceless. Thank you so very very for your generosity…
Mandalas are so much fun and relaxing to draw and paint. Now with these stencils I’m going to go into a zen trance everytime. Great tool!
This would be an amazing tool! I can only imagine the possibilities. Thank you for the give-a-way! Love what you created!
I am afraid of mandalas! I work on the pre-strung ones once in a while, but have never considered drawing my own! The idea of attempting to build a mandala from dots alone is nearly as terrifying as the though of jumping out of an aeroplane (I did say “nearly”!) – but these stencils would help me with symmetry. I’d love to win a set and try them out.
Nice tool. My kids will appreciate this, too!
This looks like a great tool to use making a mandala!
Looks so easy makes me think I might even be able to do this.
Thanks Cindy for all you do.
I would love to try these, i use the lines now but this might work well for me also! Thanks for the chance to win!
Wow! What a fabulous tool! These will certainly make it easier to try to make symmetrical designs. Brilliant! Thank you so much for the chance to win. Thanks to you and Genevieve!
Sue Brailey
Cool!! I draw mine without any lines at the minute & love the idea of having the dots to follow – also less to rub out later!!
Oh I would love these as I am so afraid to even try the zendala challenges as I don’t think I can do them. I have tried some on my own and can’t ever get anything drawn that is anywhere near symmetrical and they never seem to come out good, so these would be awesome to help me be able to gain confidence in doing them and maybe finally doing the challenges.
Thank you Genevieve for your awesome inventive tool and Cindy for offering to give a set away.
These look awesome! I have always loved Mandalas and the stencils look like what I’ve been waiting for.
This is a nifty idea. I haven’t drawn any Zendalas of my own, just used those designed by other people. These would give me the courage to try to draw my own. Thank you for thinking of us and holding a give-away!
Genevieve has really developed a wonderful idea. I love stencils and this one for mandalas using dots — priceless! 😀 😀 Yours is gorgeous. Thanks for the chance at a set!
I’ve been hunting for a way to draw my own mandalas and here it is. Kismet I think! I love this idea.
What a great and inventive tool. It would be fun being able to create so many different and original designs. I’m guessing there might be other interesting applications for them as well. Thanks for thinking of your readers with the give away.
How cool is this! Dots instead of the lines and circles! Brilliant. I have only drawn 3 zen/mandalas and I used a bowl for the circle. This just makes sense. I would love to try out the stencils!
Hi Cindy…Your creation is wonderful! I love it. Don’t you love having new toys to play with? This is a really cool idea.
How inventive and how clever disigned of Genevieve! By the way Cindy: yours look fabulous! love ‘n greetz, Ellen
This is sooo neat!! Exactly what I was looking for!! I don’t have any printer paper or ink right now and was trying to think of a different way to do this!! I did not know there were stencils for things like this!! How totally great!!