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
What an ingenious idea! But I can see why you would need the underlining circle and lines sometimes, too. Just a matter of getting used to it!
I have just been introduced to Zentangle and am researching as many sources as I can and came upon your site. Of course, I’ve been doodling all my life, it’s so nice to put a “professional” spin on it!! Would love the chance to use these stencils to try mandala. Thanks!!
Wow! What a great idea! I’ve introduced my grown niece to Zentangle, and she loves it so much that when she and I went on a trip together, she asked me to take along supplies so we could do tangles in our hotel room, which we did.
I have always had to have a pen in my hand and love to doodle. I find it so comforting, pain relieving, recovery producing and totally enjoying! Just recently, being the nurse I am, I googled “benefits of doodling” and WOW! I discovered a gold rush of wonderful inspiring information. I have been learning so much from your site and many like your that you have provided info on. Like these wonderful stencils you’ve introduced us to. I’d love to try them! They seem as though they would become my all time favorite go too tool. Thanks for all you provide for us…ideas, inspiration, informtion, give aways and encouragement!!!
Clever invention! But it still confuses me. All the curved lines look like they would be of random…curved sizes. Hmmmmm. Will have to figure it our after I win the templates! lolol (I love a good challenge!)
I had heard about these stencils via an online course and it was very interesting to read your thoughts on them also.They certainly look as if they are the answer to producing Mandala designs and how great for someone to be able to win a set. Good luck everyone.
Amazingly I was introduced to these stencils on a course I’ve been taking – & I managed to make a very crude mini version using a compass & some plastic; it’s not terribly accurate but it enabled me to do draw my first mandala & to convince me that these stencils are brilliant so I’d absolutely love to win a set. Thanks for the chance & to Genevieve.
Paula (PEP)
I have taken a class in making mandalas and found it time consuming. It would be nice to have this shortcut.
I’ve never used a stencil and I think they are a great idea! Are they available in the UK??
Wow! What an ingenious creation! I’m new to Zentangle and have been wanting to try mendala’s but wasn’t sure how to create them. With these new toys (tools) it looks like it’d be easy to create them! Put me in the drawing please! Thank you Cindy and Genevieve!
Here’s a new mandala I created using these cool stencils:
I think the templates are a wonderful idea. A manageable tool and easy to use. It seems easy to take along with a pen and paper and do your tangles anywhere.
This stencil set is a wonderful idea!! I love it! Looks like a great way to discover a whole new world of mandalas!
so awesome, of course I would love to give that set a home….
I love to tangle in mandalas and what a wonderful way to make your own designs! Could be endless possibilities and sizes and shapes! Thanks for sharing a tool for a method to my new madness!
I would love to win this. I have yet to venture into the world of zendala/mandala art, and this would give me the best reason to try it.
I would love to be able to freehand Zendalas – I’m still new to Zentangles, so I need all the help and practice I can get!
What a fantastic tool! These look so fun and will make creating Mandala’s even more enjoyable! Thank you for a fun review and a chance to win!! Happy Halloween!!!
What a super idea, I did one only to find out that it went out of round, so this new “toy” would make it wonderful to create Mandalas without the math. How kewl is that? And so nice of Genevieve and yourself to give an opportunity away.
I would love a set of the templates and hopefully it would be easy for me to use! I am “mathematically challenged” lol!
This is an awesome set. Looks like a lot of fun too. I love Mandalas, but could never seem to draw them myself. Always bought the Mandala coloring books. Would love to win a set of these. Thank you to you and Genevieve for this opportunity.
Looks like these tools (toys) would make zendellas doable for me – since I’m hesitant to draw mandalas to tangle.
A fantastic idea. I have been using metal stencils but like this idea better. The end results would be more original. I enjoy your artwork.
Thanks for the chance to win!
What a brilliant, time saving idea 🙂 will make drawing mandalas, which I love a whole lot quicker and easier, thank you
Sounds very interesting!
I have never done an mendala basically because it looks so hard to plan out. My hubby told me to find one of those old sprial graf sets they use to make to try it I dont even know if they make them anymore. But this looks lots more easy and compact and how much more fun it would be if my name gets picked out of the bowl !