Frequently asked questions as answered by Linda Carter Lefko for Crafter's Corner, Inc.

Q. Can a beginner expect nice results with bronze powder stenciling?
A. Absolutely! Stenciling does not get much easier than this and the results are quite satisfying. Make sure whatever surface you are stenciling is properly prepared before bronzing.

Q. Your instructions seem so easy - I thought bronze powder stenciling was a complicated and long process?
A. Over the years there has been a lot of mystery regarding the technique. New products on the market like Crafter's Corner, Inc.'s The Stenciler brushes and water-base sizes, have made the process easy and helped remove the mystery.

Q. The instructions call for application of water base gold size to surface before stenciling with bronze powders. What is size and why do I need to use it? A. Size is the binder or adhesive that causes the bronze powders to stick to the surface being stenciling. It goes on somewhat cloudy and becomes clear when it is ready to have stencil powders applied, usually 5-7 minutes.
Q. The instructions specify Rolco water base gold size. Will any water base gold size work?
A. I have tried several and prefer the Rolco Aqua-base Gold Size because it levels out nicely. If you can't find this product, call Crafter's Corner, Inc. Customer Service at 1-800-390-5358 for retailers.

Q. The instructions indicate stenciling into the water base gold size can continue indefinitely until I put a finish coat over it. Does that mean for days it will stay tacky?
A. The water base gold size is synthetic and dries much like a rubber cement; unsealed, it is tacky forever. I would not recommend leaving a project unsealed for days as it may pick up lint and dust from you and the air.

Q. Can I use an oil varnish as my size?
A. Yes, but I don't recommend it. It is difficult to gauge just how long it will take oil varnish to come to a tack. Subsequently, you may be very limited in how long the surface will remain ready for the stenciling process. Oils varnishes also have a tendency to yellow terribly with time.
Q. My bronze powder stencils feel thinner than regular stencils…is it my imagination?
A. You are right on! Bronze powder is so fine it has a tendency to build up around the edge of the stencil; therefore, we use a thinner stencil material to help eliminate this problem, while maintaining the integrity of the stencil itself.

Q. Do I have to use the gold and silver metallic powders that you recommend or can I use the pigment powders available at the craft stores?
A. Traditional technique uses the gold and silvers recommended, but the wide variety of colors available in pigment powders works fine on the water base size. Powders are available in varying levels of texture…be sure the powder used is ground very fine, almost as fine as talcum powder.

Q. What do you use for the finishing coat over the bronze powder?
A. I like a satin look, so I use a satin spray like Krylon; be sure to cover the entire sized surface. Follow manufacturer's directions. If you want a tinted look, amber shellac works well and can be brushed on.

Q. What if I make a mistake while I am stenciling on my project?
A. A small mistake can sometimes be lightly erased with a pencil eraser. Also, try painting the error out with the background color after it is isolated with a spray finish. If it is a big mistake on wood, wash the entire surface with warm water and a scrubby sponge, leaving your background color in tack. Notice how the size peels back in the warm water leaving your background in fine shape; let it dry thoroughly. Then, start over with fresh coat of water base size. In most cases, it is better to spend time doing it right than trying to fix it up. HINT: I strongly recommend sizing a piece of painted paper and practicing first before you do it on your final piece.