Monday, October 22, 2012

Deep Thoughts Monday

Julie...this pic's for you! XO

Well, it was a busy weekend at the shop and now I'm just trying to catch up a little around the house and get ready to clean my workroom again....argghhhh....never ending!

To tell the truth, my thoughts really aren't that deep today. I just like the idea of having a day and a forum to express whatever I want. I guess that's really what a blog is...a journal with legs, a vehicle for your thoughts to go out and meet the world.

We're experiencing the first glimpses of winter where I live and I love it! There's something about the first rainy cold days that make you want to put on a pot of soup and take on a little (or big) project. I have some new projects in the hopper, a MMS milk paint testimonial and the reveal of my little pink piggy coming up this week. Hope you'll check those posts out. Until then....

Monday, October 15, 2012

If only...


Or is it, Only if?
Do you find yourself thinking, "If only I had that house, body, dollar amount, car or talent" then I could....fill in the blank. I'm the worst at this!!!! I can't tell you how often I'm blind to the blessings in my life. It's so easy to get lost in the I don't haves.

For me it boils down to self worth. I tell myself things like, "If only I owned this house, I would..." or "If only I had the bankroll to really support my business, I would..." When really I'm telling myself..."Only if.." then you can achieve your dreams. Well, I don't a lot of things...but the truth is, I can't let what I don't have hold me back.

"You can't always get what you want....but if you try, sometimes, you might just find you get what you need."
Or so the song goes ;)

Deep Thoughts Monday,
By: Emily Bruhn
LOL!!!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Makeover underway...An update:

If you paint enough with ASCP you start to get bored with the colors on the market. And because chalk paint is so popular with people in my business, you end up seeing a lot of carbon copies. Sometimes, I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of Paris Grey. What's a girl to do? Mix it up! Literally....

One of my favorite colors in the ASCP line is Duck Egg. I think it's sort of a robin's egg/aqua hybrid. One day, I was in a reckless mood so I mixed the Duck Egg and Paris Grey together....and Grey Duck was born. Or Paris Egg? Whatever, I'm obviously thinking too much about this.
My well cared for paint cans
Disposable Tupperware makes a great container for paint

Anyway, Grey Duck is the color I choose to paint my little side table project. I love this color with Annie Sloan Dark wax applied over it, which BTW, dramatically changes the end color. So here's the update photo with one coat...which I think is plenty because I primed my little piggy ;)
The dark wax will really nestle in the grooves of the legs and these little floral/sunburst details at the top. I'll walk you through the sanding and waxing next post.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Deep Thoughts


I haven't watched Saturday Night Live in a long time....but one of the things I do remember is the "Deep Thought" clips. They always cracked me up and I thought that would be a good seg-way into my own "deep" thoughts.

I admit, I'm an overachiever when it comes to self analysis. I'm definitely my own harshest critic and at times it can be really debilitating. With the seasons changing and lots on my mind lately. I'm finding myself on the presuppose of change. With a heavier work load and growing children my expectations for myself and my family are changing. I still have trouble thinking of myself as a "working" mother...but I certainly am. But that doesn't make it any easier to ask for more help from the kids and hubby. Old habits die hard...and most days I just feel like I'm drowning in a sea of dirty dishes. Hmmmmm, what to do? Chore chart? Nervous breakdown? Tears usually get my hubbies attention. A maid....definitely a maid. Right?

In the end, I just have to speak up and ask for more help. I need to keep reminding myself that delegation is not a sign of weakness.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Words of wisdom...learned the hard way

Since I'm a crash course kinda of gal, it's taken me a few "blunders" to get some techniques under my belt. My best friend Gen is more the research type, as I've written about before. She will research and test out a new product, judiciously conserve her paints and tools, etc. Basically, everything I don't do.

I tend to just open the can and start slapping it on. I think that was part of the appeal of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. The theory is that you don't have to sand or prime and it sticks and covers anything. Which I have to say is mostly true. I have however, also railed through can after can of this rather expensive (but totally worth it) paint. Finally I got wise after a huge buffet that took something like 5 coats of pure white ASCP to cover the bleed through of mahogany stain. Hmmmmmmm, maybe I could save some time and money and put a coat of primer on first. Genius!!! Not really...actually it was what my partner Brenda had suggested at the beginning with that mammoth buffet. So on certain pieces, ones with bright original paint colors or strong dark stains, I now happily use a primer coat.

So that was the starting point with my bubble gum pink darling. Here she is with one healthy coat of primer....actually, when you're not entirely sure what color you want to paint something, sometimes a primer is the best place to start. I find it gives you the opportunity to see the piece as a blank canvas. Often a strong color can blind you to the beauty of piece.

My last tip for today my seem dumb, but I say it only because I've learned this one the hard way too. Always remove your hardware before you start to paint and put it in a safe spot. I put knobs in a sandwich bag, then in one specific drawer in my work room.

There's nothing worse than hunting for a missing screw or drawer pull when your at the end. Its like having the perfect pair of earrings for an outfit...you're about to walk out the door for your date, but you can only find one.....arrggghhhh! 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Lipstick on a pig...

Painting furniture is hardly a new concept. You see it everywhere blogs, stores, Craigslist....the list is endless. And now, more than ever, there are some really great products on the market to transform your garage sale treasures, such as Annie Sloan Chalk Paint or Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. With so many great paints and tools available on the market place it can be overwhelming to choose the right medium for your piece.

I've been doing my fair share of painting lately, so I don't get too attached to my work. I don't always paint with my favorite color or use my favorite technique. I've learned that every piece of furniture has a color that will elevate it, not detract. This is sometimes a tough pill to swallow...."I don't want to paint this piece blue!" But instincts have taught me to go with my gut on what will look best for each item.

Think of furniture like the latest style trends....I really love skinny jeans, but in no universe that I live in do they look good on me. Same goes for paint. Some colors and techniques just end up looking like lipstick on a pig. Definitely not what we're going for!

So the question is.....How do you choose the right paint color/type? Hmmmmm, this is a tricky question. I think first you have to consider the condition and age. What sort or details, i.e. carvings, finials, knobs does the piece have. Is the wood dark or light? Is the finish old and dry or high shine and pristine? It's a lot to try to navigate at once. So to start I thought I would leave you with an example of what not to do. To whoever painted this little night stand, no disrespect...judging by the price I paid for it and where I got it, I don't think it ended up being a prized possession.

Ain't she a beaut!



OK....so besides the fact that this nightstand is painted bubble gum pink....the real bummer is that none of the great details have been highlighted. Stay tuned....I'll be working on this one today and I'll give you a step by step of the resurrection.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Back in the swing...


I think I'm getting back into the swing of things. After a long internal struggle, I choose to leave Summer Cottage Antiques and just concentrate my efforts over at French Hen. I must admit, it was with a heavy heart that I did so, for many reasons, mostly though, I'll miss working with my Bestie Gen.

I felt a little out of sorts for awhile. Sometimes the right decision for your business isn't the one you wanted to make. At the end of the day, I only have two hands and so much time and I couldn't stretch myself that thin. I dearly love my friend Gen as well as the wonderful dealers at Summer Cottage, that shop will always feel like a second home to me.

All that said, I had sort of felt like I had lost the wind in my sail for a bit. In general, I HATE CHANGE!!! I have a tendency to avoid it at all costs. The price of my avoidance however, is usually more than the change would have been. Oh well, I guess none of us are without faults. So I'm slowly re navigating what my business plan is, what my hopes and goals are for the future and how to get "there". Where is "there" anyway? Wow...I sound like a hot mess, LOL. I think what I'm trying to say is, I have a lot of dreams, ideas and creativity and I'm just trying to funnel it into the channels that will best suit (and profit) me. I know I'll get "there" if I follow my heart.

The thing in business and in life, is that if it feels really comfortable....then it's time for a change. I know I'm really reaching for something new, because everything I'm doing is such a stretch from my comfort zone. I read a blog post yesterday on Miss Mustard Seed, and she encouraged her readers to put your dreams in print. Which when you go to do is INCREDIBLY SCARY!!!! I thought a lot about what I really want from my creative business and I've come up with three things I'm really dreaming of. So here they are:

1.) Continue to grow and thrive at French Hen Antiques
( This was the easy one....already on my way here!!!)

2.) Work directly with people to teach them "how to's".
"How to" what?? How to choose a paint type for a piece of furniture, how to stage a room, how to.... well the list goes on. Basically, I enjoy sharing my creative process and I'm always surprised by how grateful people are for tips and tricks. I'd like to find a way to combine the two.

3.) Drum roll........This is the biggie....... I want to host my own sales.
But in my dreams they are BIG! I've been to some great events, but I feel our local marketplace is missing a certain type of Antique Show/Barn sale extraordinar that I feel like I could produce. Why this? I like people, I LOVE EVENTS, I'm a good organizer (my laundry room discluded) and I love antiques and artisans. The BIG BIG BIG dream is to be able to own the property to have these sales on.

So there it is in print...doesn't seem that scary now.