One slice of humble pie for me please

As this year draws to a close, I can't help but reflect on what a roller coaster ride it's been. I started the year by bringing my Bestie Gen into Summer Cottage to share a space with me, which was quickly followed by me taking a large space at French Hen Antiques. Talk about having a Tiger by it's tail...I definitely got drug along by the pace of that expansion and soon found myself giving up my space at Summer Cottage, in order to concentrate my efforts at French Hen.

Now after months of really working my butt off, I've come to the tough decision to leave French Hen and return to Summer Cottage and a much smaller space. I'm so glad I went through the process of trying the larger space, I completely surprised myself with what I was able to produce. However, after months of knocking things off my "mom" list in trade for my "antique dealer" list I started to really question where this all was leading.

So here I am, starting over...again. I don't mind though, I feel relieved, renewed and ready for some new adventures. This time around, I think I'll work on being the captain of my own ship, that way I can dictate the pace.

To Brenda (owner of French Hen) I wish nothing but success and prosperity. So many people love your shop...I hope your business continues to grow and enrich the community.

To Summer Cottage Antiques, I'm so grateful to be returning. As the saying goes, Many hands make light work. I really missed the network of dealers and how we all take care of each other.

To my bestie Gen, TO WANDA!!! 

Deep Thoughts Monday

Gratitude....apparently it's not for sale.

It seems that every holiday had become a mass vehicle for shopping and spending, decorating and parties. Be it Easter or Valentines, Halloween and definitely Christmas, my kids are always coming home with an invitation, goodie bag or some other treat, in celebration of that said holiday. Now you have Halloween decorations for sale in August and Christmas rolls out the day after Halloween...if not sooner.

Which brings me to Thanksgiving....apparently the one holiday we somehow haven't figured out a way to pimp out for cash. What is it about this holiday that keeps it somewhat sacred? You would think it would be Christmas or even Easter, given their religious significance (for some at least). But no...Thanksgiving is our one untouched holiday. I guess the simple message of Thanksgiving keeps it pure. After all, you won't find gratitude for sale.

The simplicity of the tradition, family and friends gathering for the same meal in celebration of all that they do have and are thankful for. Hmmmmm, this is a tough one to market. What more do you need? And here's the kicker...the less you have, sometimes the more grateful you'll feel. Because Thanksgiving is the holiday that makes you take pause and say, "I'm so grateful for...." And there is always something to fill in that blank.

Whether your family dines on fine china or paper plates, your turkey is farm raised and hormone free or a good ol' butterball pumped full of nitrates and salt (which I might add, make it mighty tasty). I'm sure that you will sit down and feel grateful for all that has been laid before you. I know I will.

Like Butta'

I think I'm in love. Is it possible to think a wax is....sexy?

Ok, I know, I have some explaining to do here. Since my Bestie Gen is a retailer of MMS Milk Paint, I of course bought the entire line of paint along with all its finishing products. I'm having a great time getting to know the best way to use the products and experimenting with the colors and techniques that are unique to milk paint. But I have to say that I already know that I'm sort of head over heals for the furniture wax that is included with this line.

This wax....hmmmmmm, it's like butta'! It's sumptuous, it's sexy. Since this is a natural beeswax based product, it smells great and has a silky smooth consistency. It's fast and easy to apply and it buffs to a beautiful natural finish. I find myself stroking my furniture....I think my husband might be jealous.

MMS furniture wax works great over milk paint, but I'm loving it over Annie Sloan Chalk Paint as well. If you've found paste wax to be tricky and sticky, this is such a no-brainer to use.

I just finished waxing a dinning room table with the stuff...so I think I'll light a cigarette and bask in the afterglow. Just kidding....well about the cigarette at least.

Poetic waxing

Something I've learned along the way with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, is that it must be waxed to finish and seal the paint. The ASCP wax is good quality and worth the investment, but if you'd rather stick with a brand you already have...that's fine too.

My best tips for ASCP wax are as follows:

Apply a thin layer evenly with a paint brush of your choosing

I like to buy cheap brushes that I can toss without guilt after a few applications...because I'm lazy and don't like to wash my brushes. If you are a better steward of the Earth and your finances than I, my best tip for cleaning is to rub some vegetable oil into the bristles of your brush to loosen the wax then wash with warm soapy water.

Let the wax cure for at least 24 hours before buffing

I like to wax pieces at night and since my stuff is for resale, buff them at the shop once they have been transported. That way you avoid scratches and dings in the finish.  If you don't allow the wax to cure, it will be sticky and you won't be able to bring it to a shine.

Use ASCP dark wax sparingly!!!!

I love the effect the dark wax can give to a piece, but it can go all wrong very, very fast!!!! For the best results, apply a thin layer of clear wax first, then gingerly dab the dark wax onto the areas that you would like to have a more aged appearance, then work it in with a dry brush. If you put too much dark wax on, work the area with a brush with clear wax on it...this can help knock down the dark. On rare occasions I do apply dark wax over an entire piece...but only when using a dark ASCP color such as Graphite. Since the dark wax is meant to give an aged appearance to a piece, be thoughtful about where you might see an authentic wear pattern or darkening on an antique piece. For instance, in the cracks and grooves of details or around the handles or corners. DO NOT take your brush and make skid marks across your lovely furniture!

Pre wax

Pre wax

This is literally how much wax I put on my brush...just specks on the outer edges.

You can see here that I put hardly any wax on my brush...a little goes a long way!

                I like to stipple the dark wax around a small area and then work it in with my brush.

Work in the wax and try to get it in the nooks and crannies of the piece. BTW...this isn't one of the fore mentioned cheap brushes...I did splurge for this waxing brush. Honestly, it's not that much better than the cheap ones, in my opinion. However, the cheapies shed bristles which you have to then pick out of  the wax. This one just happened to be clean.

 

Here is the dark wax worked in. You can see that it gives the piece a more aged patina.

Up close you can see the way the wax sits in the nooks and crannies...hmmmmmmm
      all this nook and crannie talk is making me crave and English Muffin.

And finally...here she is waxed and ready to go to French Hen. Against the brick wall, this looks a little like a furniture mug shot...but oh well.

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....

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!!!

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.