Stenciling with Henna Tattoo Stencils

Stenciling with Henna Tattoo Stencils

Bring the ancient art of Henna into your home with a creative way to add some style to plain napkins and rings.

Supplies:
Four wide wooden napkin rings
Rubber henna stencil made for arm or belly bands
Glue stick
Craft paint
Small stipple brush
Varnish
Optional: Small craft mirrors and clear rhinestones
Optional: Jewelry glue
FolkArt craft paint - brown or black
Textile medium - Plaid
Four brightly colored cloth napkins, pre-washed to remove any sizing

Steps:
1. For the napkin rings, select a rubber henna stencil with a fairly open design. An intricate design will be more difficult to work with and the end result may appear blurred. Henna stencils are widely available on-line.

2. Adhere the henna stencil to one of the napkin rings and use the small stipple brush to apply the design with craft paint. Repeat with each napkin ring, applying the stencil to the ring with a glue stick if the initial stickiness wears way. Most henna stencils will stay sticky through many applications. Peel off the stencil and allow each napkin ring to dry. Apply varnish.

3. To make the napkins, squirt a small amount of the paint into a tray or onto a piece of wax paper and mix with an equal amount of textile medium. Apply a square portion of a henna stencil to the corner of the napkin. Paint over the stencil with the paint and fabric medium blend.

4. Remove the stencil immediately so the glue from the stencil does not stick to and stain the napkin. Allow the napkins to dry.

5. If desired, highlight certain parts of the pattern with small craft mirrors and rhinestones applied with jewelry glue.