Using Stencils with Art Clay--How?

[Selma]

I just found and registered for this great Forum, and also just looked through the Rings and Things store.
I want to know how the Stencils are used, in particular, this one:
Stock#: 69-300-04   Tool, Stencil Sheet, "G"
It's an alphabet set, small, exactly the size I've been looking for.  I bought some rubber stamp alphabets that are too large for my purpose.
But I can't visualize how to use the stencil form.  In general, how is it used?  And for letters--if I want to make a word--how?
Thanks for assistance and advice.

[RitaD]

I haven't used these myself, but I believe they are meant to be used with a paste of some sort on a ready made piece.  You might consider using metal stamps instead of rubber stamps for clean letters in smaller sizes, like these:
http://shop.rings-things.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=20486
You can use them to impress words into metal clay in the clay state, or possibly after it has been fired, depending on thickness and shape.  

[Metalman]

Lets see - there are a couple of ways to use those.
1] Taking a dried piece of Art Clay Silver, bend the stencil over the area you want to have the letter on and wipe back and forth with a damp cosmetic sponge - This will have an 'etching' on the clay leaving the letter dug into the surface. You could use a brush for this as well.
2] Doing the same thing as in #1 but lightly dampen the dried clay first. Then - holding the stencil over the area - use a wire brush to texture in the letter. Practice will help this go better
3] Get some of the wax resist used in the ceramics industry and paint it on through the stencil. Let it dry and then sponge etch it like in #1. This time, after you fire and the wax is burned away you will have the letters in relief.
4] Use the letter stencil to cut out thick but small letters, fire them and use as charms to spell stuff.

Practicing these abit will help all of these methods. Let me know how it goes...
Ohh... - the product says: 'Includes instructions for using with both greenware and fired Art Clay™.'

[Polly]

The stencil sheets are primarily intended to be used with Overlay Paste, and I also like Kurt's suggestions #1 and #2.

Take a look at the items included with this Art Clay Silver Overlay Paste Kit, to get a rough idea of what tools and materials to use with the stencils.

I'm not sure what the best way is to make words, but I do believe the included instructions say wether to wait until one letter is dry before making the next letter, or whether you can cut the stencil up.  I think cutting the stencil would have some negative side effects (too many edges that might affect your design), but the waiting for a letter to dry before painting another requires a lot of patience.