Dreamweaver Stencils - Getting to Know You!

Dreamweaver Stencils - Sponsor of Die Cut Divas

Dreamweaver Stencils is offering a 20 % discount so use code SWS20 when checking out at Stencil with Style.

Owner of Dreamweaver Stencils - Lynell Harlow.

• How did your company come about? I had been stenciling several years when I met Judy Barker who owned a stencil company called American Traditional Stencils, she then asked me to be a sales rep for her in Southern California. After awhile with the company, she manufactured some of Wayne and my designs and licensed them into her line. Later we were ready to go out on our own and she had her own in-house art department in New Hampshire where AT was located.
• How long have you been in business? We designed our first stencils in 1991 and did a show at that time in Hawaii. Many of our designs at that time were ocean or tropical themes.
• Where can we find you? We do mostly wholesale to stores but people can order at www.stencilwithstyle.com if they have a hard time finding them locally.
• What is one of your favourite products that you carry & why? I think the embossing pastes are wonderful for adding dimension on dark colored papers and the Metallic F/X mica powders complement the pastes.
• Do you craft & how often do you get a chance to do so? I usually do something once or twice a week. I try to teach regularly because it forces me to keep crafting.

Arlene's example of using paste and zentangles from Lynell's line.

Example from Arlene at A Bit of This and That

Paula's example of zentangle.  This panel, is embossed then coloured with Copics. Paula then stenciled the gecko onto separate paper. She did a fantastic job of doing a bit of Zentangle on him, then added pop dots & put him onto the front.  Striking, is it not?

Example from Paula at Scraps of Me

 Paula used stencils  Black eyed Susan LJ902  and Gecko LM220 

I wanted to expand on the information that Lynell so kindly provided in our interview.  Below is a list and I can personally tell you that Zentangle 6 is a fantastic book on using Zentangles with stencils.  I was never interested in Zentangle, but after seeing and drawing some neat designs, I bought the book at my local stamp shop (The Stamp Art Shoppe) and find that it's another technique that is fun and fulfilling.  I was so surprised these figures have names and the designs mean something.  The stencil gives the art structure, especially for a beginner.  

Books:

Artful Cards

New Dimensions in Cardmaking

Zentangle 6 (a Design Originals book with Suzanne McNeill featuring Dreamweaver stencils and several projects by design team members)

DVDs:

Unique Techniques

Embossing Paste Techniques for Artful Cardmaking

Tips 'n Tools for Creating with Metal Stencils

You can check out the books and DVDs here.  If you ever have a chance to take a class with Lynell, don't hesitate.  You will be happy you did.  Lots of good information and products packed into her classes. Lynell is in the U.K. in now. 

Arlene, Paula and the Die Cut Divas!