My Own Worst Enemy

Okay, I have been a bit ridiculous about blogging.  Months go by and I don't post a thing.  I haven't finished any jewelry or finished painting any furniture in quite some time.  I can't make excuses anymore.  I hold myself back.  I always have.  I really don't know why!  Is it fear of success?  Is it because I am comfortable where I am at?  Hmmm....

So, here's my plan.  I am going to make sure that I post SOMETHING at least once a day.  It may not be spectacular or even very interesting, but I have to dedicate myself to doing this.  I am also making sure that I do at least one thing toward finishing either a piece of jewelry or a piece of painted furniture. I have to hold myself to this and put it right in my schedule, otherwise I will just fall of the face of the internet again!  Holiday bazaar's are coming up and I need to get some inventory!

See ya tomorrow!

A Chalk Paint Epiphany!

I have been playing with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Cece Caldwell Chalk Paint for a few months now.  It did the job.  It had a decent finish.  Some of my pieces turned out mediocre and some turned out really good, but not good enough for me.  Small pieces, I have not had a problem with, they turn out great, but the furniture, I haven't had the best of luck with.  I have spent quite a bit of money trying to learn how to get the professional finish that I wanted, without traveling to an workshop miles and miles away.  In hindsight, it would have been cheaper to travel all of those miles, but eh, I am a diy girl!  I am self taught!  I can do this!

This is the first weekend that I've had off from everyone and everything.  I am determined to get some of this furniture painting done.  Tonight, while I was struggling with my Coco dresser on the deck, in the dark, with mosquitoes biting me everywhere and low lighting, I finally saw the finish I was looking for!!  I was so excited that I didn't even notice all that buzzing in my ears!  Finally!!!  I wish I could continue to work on it tonight, but those mosquitoes are really eating me up!  So stay tuned!

French Poem Chalk Paint Table

I am a really bad blogger.  I've been MIA for 3 weeks!  Anyway, I haven't finished my Coco dresser.  It's been raining on my days off.  I started on this little side table.  I painted it in Old White and then, since I didn't have $100 to spend on the beautiful Paris in Springtime stencil, I got out my overhead projector and did it with a transparency that I made based on the same poem.  I used French Linen for the lettering.  It turned out okay, but I am not the best painter when it comes to tiny details.  I seem to get the paint too thick in these little lines, which is why I like to use paint pens for this sort of thing.  Anywhooo,  I distressed it and clear waxed it, and will probably dark wax it as well.  It didn't turn out exactly like I wanted, but my little table was only $7, so it was worth the experience.

I also did a cute little bar stool in Coco and used a black paint pen for the graphics.

Salvator Mundi Holy Card Soldered Necklace

Just listed today...Salvator Mundi Holy Card Soldered Necklace

I added a vintage 4 way religious medal to the top and beaded the necklace with antique gold Swarovski pearls which, in case you have never had the pleasure of touching, are as soft as butter.  This necklace is dripping with frosting with rhinestone disco balls and rhinestone rondelles.  Hmmm, I am making myself hungry.  Time for a sweet treat!  Enjoy your day!

Annie Sloan Coco Chalk Paint Dresser

I added a few things to my shop, and like always, I got side tracked and picked up my paint again!  I think I have ADHD, because I can't stick with one thing for very long.

I am really feeling the color Coco from Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint line!  A few people have said that they don't care for it, I however,  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!  I am not one for a lot of bright colors.  I love all of the new shades of neutrals that have come out the past few years, so this is right up my alley!

I got this dresser on Craigslist for $25.00!  It's solid and the lady took really good care of it.  You remember this furniture from the 70's, don't you??

Every little girl's room had this style in it...er, except for mine!  I had to share a bedroom with my older sister, so we had an earlier bedroom set.  I always wanted a set like this, and now slowly, I am getting it!

Here is my progress so far...

I haven't quite decided if I want to paint the drawers Old White or Old Ochre, or just paint it all Coco.  I am also going to add some icing to this dresser with some resin appliques that I painted in Coco and dry brushed with Old Ochre...they look amazing!  

I also got this Ethan Allen buffet for $30 that I am trying to pick a color for.  Graphite?  Louis Blue?  I just don't know yet!

I do have to get back to one of two things...painting or beading.  Hmmmm, which will I choose today??

That's it for now!  Thanks for looking!

Back to Soldering

The heat wave that we've had for the whole month of July finally let up for a couple of days and I was able to get some soldering done.  My Etsy shop is really empty and needs some new items!  My babies are drying right now and I can't wait to get them beaded and listed!

I am really sad to see that my Joan of Arc Reliquary has seepage.  I don't quite know what I'm going to do about that as of yet since I did use a couple of vintage jewelry pieces on it.  Hmmmmm....

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Coffee Table

I have been busy painting away, finding some great pieces at reasonable prices and learning a lot about technique!  I was supposed to go up to our family cabin this weekend, but I was so excited to work on this great vintage Thomasville coffee or cocktail table that I picked up last weekend, that I opted out.  I am sure I missed some great food and laughter, but I was just so engrossed in my painting.  I painted the table with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  The top is Old Ochre and the base is Duck Egg Blue.  I painted, sanded, waxed and finally completed my project despite over 100 degree days here in Michigan!

 I didn't have time to stage and get the right lighting, so here is just a taste!  Let me know what you think!