* If You Are A Stencil Maker OR Anyone And You Would Like To Use My Cleaning Method Under Your Stencil Tips Button On YOUR Website Or ANY OTHER FORM INCLUDING A STENCIL TIP SHEET YOU MAIL WITH YOUR ORDERS OR EMAIL YOU MUST GIVE FOLK ART FROM THE HARBOR CREDIT AND A LINK BACK TO MY SITE

If You Can Not Do This DO NOT USE MY IDEAS And Pass Them OFF as Your Own

***How do I clean my stencils without tearing them up?***

I have so many stencils! Over 1000 and I lost count. I paint everyday and most days I dont have time to clean them after each use. Now I know you've heard about cleaning them with Rubbing Alcohol, Simple Green, Goat Milk Soap and Soaking them in Sudsy Water. Well I have tried ALL of these except for the Goat Soap and I just don't have time to stand or sit there and rub paint off of my stencils ESPECIALLY when its built up several coats! So I have come up with a solution! One so easy you are just not going to believe it until you try it! First it is PERFECT for built up paint or even just a few layers the KEY here is your STENCIL has to be DRY .....BONE DRY! I like to pull out my work table and lay all the "Heavy" stencils down next to one another. Paint side up of course. Then I take a can of EASY OFF OVEN CLEANER in the YELLOW CAN and I spray them and WALK AWAY. Sometimes I am gone for 30 minutes or an hour or even longer. Then I get my water hose out with the spray nozzle attachment you know the one like you have by the kitchen sink. I spray all that paint right off these stencils and they are so Clean they look BRAND NEW! You can do this in your house if you want to, but remember there are fumes to deal with so open a door or window. Remember you heard it here first!

*** Can you ship my Stencils Free in the USA?***

YES you can get Free Shipping in the USA if you spend $30.00 or more dollars on Stencils. Shipping is USPS 1st Class. If you want USPS Priority Shipping you will have to pay that yourself.

Use Code FREESHIPUSA

***Is there Free INTL Shipping for stencils?***

Yes there is. I will ship your Stencils 1st Class INTL if you purchase $35.00 or more on Stencils.

Use Code INTLSTENCIL

***Do you wholesale your stencils?***

I do not wholesale my Stencils because you are already paying BELOW wholesale.

***What material do you use to cut your Stencils?***

I use 5 mil Clear Mylar.

***Do you offer monthly FREE STENCILS?***

Yes I do. I design and list a new stencil on my blog every month. To be included in the drawing you must leave me a comment and your email address or blogger link so I can notify you if you win.

***Why are your stencils so affordable?***

It took me years to build a variety of stencils. With my prices you can have a variety without breaking the bank.

Enjoy my low prices!

***Do you ever run specials on Stencils?***

Yes I do. Purchase 10 and Get 1 Free of equal or lesser value of your choice* After you purchase 10 or more let me know which one you want Free in the notes section when you checkout.

*** HOW DO I PAINT A SIGN? ***

This is MY version and MY Opinion if anyone feels they need to pass this on don't forget to give FOLK ART FROM THE HARBOR Full Credit

1st what kind of wood are you using? Do not use fence board of any kind.......its cheap and filled with chemicals that can cause cancer. Your stencil will never lay flat. I suggest you use pine boards they cost more and will make your sign look professional. What kind of sponge? latex or latex free? If you are not allergic use LATEX I find that it doesnt want to pluck up my stencil like the Latex Free ones do. ( These cosmetic wedge sponges can be found at Walmart Target, or any drug store like CVS Rite Aid Walgreens Bartells ETC ) Here is exactly how I make a sign. I paint my board ( 2 coats usually black and then the actual color ie burg, blue whatever) I would even do a dark color under pink I would choose brown instead of black. NEVER EVER USE SPRAY PAINT NEVER! After it dries I sand it.

Then I lay my stencil down and tape it all around I dont want it to move. I use masking tape its inexpensive about 72 cents at Walmart I squeeze out some paint on a piece of scrap wood ( I only stencil in FOLK ART and AMERICANA Brand PAINTS....they are thicker then Apple Barrel and never ever use Joann or Michaels 50 cent brand paint tooooooo watery!

I dab my sponge wedge into the paint and I pat it on the SCRAP wood over and over and over til its looks very very light almost dry lookin. Dont smash hard onto your stencil just lightly dab your sponge, it will look very light . Now walk away and get a drink or fold some laundry just go away until thats DRY. Then do it again very lightly...it will look better.....let that dry all the way and do it again and that should do it.

You might want to practice on some scrap. You might be pounding too hard or it might not be dry enough before you do it again.The key here is to Dab it LIGHTLY and LET IT DRY before you dab it again.

After your stencil is dry get a liner brush and fill in the bridges ( the gaps ) this is what gives you a nice professional finish. When I see a sign and its not filled in I stop looking at it because it is not a finished piece.

Now you can stain your sign. I use Minwax Early American...I do NOT dilute it....lots of folks try and stretch it...dont waste your time...it will look cheap and watered down.