I am about to do a series on "How to..." This is my part 1 to that series. Helpful Tools

Of course I have my Handy Dandy Sander.

I use this on flat solid surfaces. Before I paint, I always go over each surface with my sander. It helps get a 'grip' to the paint. You don't want to be lazy and just slap paint on wood. The oils, finish, whatever coats the item can cause your new paint to bubble or crack. (hey and that isn't always a bad thing - just sayin')

I never sand with my Black n Decker when doing detail work. I ONLY use my handy dandy- sponge sanding block.

BIG TIME helpful hint: have you been to the Dollar Tree recently? Well.. helloooo painting supplies! They have some great scrapers, sanders, and other tools there. Nothing like saving money on items that really don't need to be high quality.


2nd favorite repurposing/refinishing 'tool' is this:

Scent oils. Antiques often have an ummm stank odor to them. You know the blend between musty, moth balls, and that 'old' smell. I ALWAYS, even on newer cleaner pieces, put this scented oil drops in each drawer. I choose vanilla. Why? because I have it. You can do any scent in your furniture. They sell items like this at Bath and Body Works, Bed Bath and Beyond, and other similar stores.


More helpful hints coming over the weeks, so be sure to 'follow' my page. Hey and if you feel so inclined, share it as well. (my follow button is hidden at the bottom of the page or some other obscure location).

Happy painting, sanding, and refinishing!

Lisa 

Speaking of commissioned pieces, this weekend I was asked to take this very 90's armoir and bring out the charm in it. Both the client and I were very pleased with how it turned out.

BEFORE:

After:

I love paint.

This project was really fun, and now I am working on a custom piece for this same family. I will be working with a brand new tool.. the planer.  I did make a mean bird house when I was in middle school, so this should be pretty interesting.

Currently I am selling:

Little Red Writing Desk.  (precious precious!)

Cute? The boys were using it for homework, but we all agreed that sprawling on the floor just works best for their wiggly hineys. :)

Asking  $60.00

Technical difficulties... I was having a problem with my computer. BUT that doesn't mean I wasn't busy creating some really special pieces.

It is so exciting when I find an old piece that is tossed to the wayside, unwanted. I love that I can sell it as a new piece, restored and refinished. The drawback is that I don't have a studio or a shop (currently) so I can only do a few pieces at a time. This leads into the exciting opportunity of getting commissioned to do pieces that already are owned by people. I have been hired now by several different people to work on things that they either love but are just not updated, or want to make into that 'special' piece in their home.

A friend of mine has the most incredible sense of style, she had some really stunning chairs that she wanted yellow. Ahhh.. color! I love when people aren't afraid! She also had some bar stools that she wanted me to refinish so they could match her decor.

Here is some of that commissioned work:

 I sanded and stained the seats to get rid of that yellow pine/plastic color that bar stools normally have.

My friend was very pleased with the outcome, as was I. I should have taken before photos, but the 'after' speaks for itself.

During my computer hiatus, I also refinished (and sold):

..... A leaded glass window panel converted to a lovely coffee table. I loved how it perfectly matched my 'rooster on a stick' (as my 6 year old calls it). I have another one of these tables in the works.. If you are interested send me a comment! :)

That's it for now.. I think that next layer of paint is almost dry, so the floor to ceiling hutch is calling me back to work, but I will update tomorrow with a few other items I have worked on for some friends.

If you have anything you would like to be refinished, let me know, send a comment after this post or send an email.

Lisa