Month: March 2012

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How to Get that Great Patina on Painted Furniture

I have to admit, I have a thing for green.  When I found an old sewing table a while back, I knew I wanted to tear it apart and make a side table out of it ~ and I knew it had to be green.  It’s been patiently waiting for it’s makeover – until now.

I was playing with CeCe Caldwell’s paint yesterday and I realized I already had everything I needed right at my fingertips to create the perfect green for this piece.  I mixed a little of the Maine Harbor Blue in into some Spring Hill Green and came up with this.

West Maui Mountains ~ that’s what call it.  Reminds me of the view you get while you’re pulling into the harbor or driving into Lahaina at sunset.  Love those West Maui’s! I flipped the table over and started painting.  I’ve really noticed a difference in the depth of color I can get with this paint; Here’s what it looks like going on.  You can see the parts that have dried because they’re so much lighter.

This is one thin, sloppy coat.  I did this intentionally because a well worn vintage feel is what I was going for here.

  When the paint dries, it looks very light and feels chalky.

 Once the wax is applied, the color deepens again and you’ll end up with a rich patina.

I did a little bit of a two tone on the front door where I came back through and added a color wash of just a shade different to make it pop even more.   
Just dropped her off to my booth at Not So Shabby in Zeeland.
If you’d like to do something like this, order CeCe Caldwell’s Paints online through my online shop or pick it up in West Michigan at our Shizzle Design booth at Not So Shabby  here.  You’ll find our display along side our painted furniture and re-purposed vintage treasures.  



I spend a large chunk of time painting custom pieces for clients.  If you have a piece of furniture you would like painted, let me know.  Our current pieces for sale can be seen here.  It changes frequently but I do my best to mark things as sold once they’re gone.
  

A hui hou! ~ Shelly


Linking up to:
Savvy Southern Style – Wow Us Wednesdays
aka Design – Do it Yourself

Restore Interiors – Restored it Wednesday
Primitive & Proper – POWW
Beyond The Picket Fence

Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party
Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday

Decorating Insanity – Furniture Friday Party
Redoux – Friday Link Up Party
Tatertots & Jello – Weekend Party Wrap Up
Common Ground – Vintage Inspiration Friday
WhisperWood Cottage – The Talent Scouting Party

Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special
Too Much Time on My Hands – Get Schooled Saturday 
1929 Charmer – Sunday’s Best Holiday Party

Sisters of the Wild West – Sunday Link Party
Boogie Board Cottage – Masterpiece Monday
Between Naps on the Porch – Metamorphasis Monday
Coastal Charm – Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

Linking up to:

Metamorphasis Monday – Between Naps on the Porch
Vintage Inspiration Friday – Common Ground

Thanx for following!!  A hui hou!

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CeCe Caldwell… Welcome to West Michigan!

As soon as I heard about CeCe Caldwell’s Eco-Friendly, Natural Clay Paints, I was intrigued.  The fact that their products are green is huge for me personally as I’ve been battling health issues for months.  When I looked into it further and was given the opportunity to work with their products, I was sold. 

I feel so passionate about this company and their products that I became CeCe Caldwell’s Retailer for West Michigan.  Before I could blink an eye, the first shipment of paint was delivered.

I quickly painted a display and tonight, with the help of my husband and a sweet civilian on the street, we off loaded the monster hutch and stocked the shelves.  More paint is on the way, but I had to take advantage of Mr. muscle while I had the chance:)

Not familiar with CeCe Caldwell’s Paint?  Here’s the scoop from their website.

CeCe Caldwell’s Paints began with the dream to find an earth and people friendly paint for furniture and home décor. The dream to have products that could safely be used by anyone: professional artisans, DIYers, healthy individuals, parents, people with respiratory or other illnesses and those concerned about leaving the world a better place.

We offer you products that are safer and better for the environment. Our mineral paints have no Volatile Organic Compounds, are non-toxic and are low odor. The paint contains NO acrylic co-polymers, solvents, formaldehyde, ammonia, ethylene glycol or toxic heavy metals. The minerals are clay, porcelain clay and chalk blended into a water based solution. The paint is packaged in recycled plastic containers. Our wax is made from insect and plant sources. It also has a very low odor and is packaged in recycled plastic containers.

Our products are easy enough for a first time DIYer and perform well enough for use by professional painters and furniture finishers. The paint is self-priming. Start with a clean surface; one to two coats generally give complete coverage. Superior adhesion means most surfaces do not require a prep coat of primer prior to painting. The sealing wax glides on evenly and easily for speedy application. Clean up is fast; use warm soapy water to clean all tools and applications.

Our color palette is based on the trends and traditions found in America. Inspiration comes from both coastal regions, the soaring mountain areas, the great grain fields, the spectacular deserts, the big cities and the rural towns. It is diverse, it is bold, it is subtle and it is charming. It is naturally green, in the color of your choice.

If you’d like to do something like this, order CeCe Caldwell’s Paints online through my online shop or pick it up in West Michigan at our Shizzle Design booth at Not So Shabby in downtown Zeeland here.  You’ll find our display along side our painted furniture and re-purposed vintage treasures.  


I spend a large chunk of time painting custom pieces for clients.  If you have a piece of furniture you would like painted, let me know.  Our current pieces for sale can be seen here.  It changes frequently but I do my best to mark things as sold once they’re gone.
  

A hui hou! ~ Shelly

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Saint Patrick’s Day Mosaic Party Tub / Chair Planter

Seriously?  It’s March?  It was Christmas like one minute ago!  I can’t believe how fast time flies.  If it’s really March, then it’s time to share the Saint Patrick’s Day Mosaic Chair planter that I made a while back.  I had tucked away until now.

The business I have today evolved from the idea to design a few mosaic pots and garden chair planters.  I sold them out of my friend’s greenhouse and before I knew it, I had a list a mile long with custom orders.  People went crazy over them; seemed like everyone had a certain theme they were looking for which kept me busy for several years while my kids were little.  I’ve made hundreds of these, but most of the pictures were taken before digital.  Ha!  Am I dating myself?  One of these days, I’ll make the time to scan in some of my favorites.

Whats fun about these is they can be so personal.  They make great gifts and can be used in many different ways.  Some people use them on their deck or by their pool to serve up iced cold drinks, while others put them on their front porch as a whimsical way to welcome guests.  My favorite though is to plant them with my favorite flowers and just plop it in the middle of my landscape.  They make such a cool focal point and take your landscape to a whole new level.

I smash and sand the edges of each shard of glass then meticulously place each piece.   I know most people don’t bother grinding down the edges of the glass, but I wouldn’t do it any other way ~ just sayin:)  
This Leprechaun Party Tub / Chair Planter is one of my favorites because these are MY colors:)    

I loved the antique chair the moment I saw it.  It’s boasting the original green paint which I simply distressed a little then sealed with an exterior clear coat.  I had a ceramic Leprechaun tucked away in my stash of supplies which inspired the entire theme of this chair.
Irish Leprechan rcc
Of course I took pieces apart and reconfigured them with copper wire since I can’t leave well enough alone, but he’s so much more adorable now.  I even found the perfect pot of gold just in case the luck of the Irish comes to town.

Hope you enjoyed checking it out.  I’ve stopped making these for the time being, but this one is for sale in my booth at Not So Shabby.  If you purchase it, please send me a picture of it in his new home:)

Stay up to date! 


*Let me know if there is something you’re looking for that you haven’t seen.  We have a lot of projects in the works as well as some fabulous pieces patiently waiting their turn.  Contact us if you have a piece of furniture you would like painted!
Linking up to:

Transformation Thursday – Shabby Creek Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday – Common Ground

Thanx for following!!  A hui hou!