Summer School

Happy Friday!

I hope you are finding your summer is joyful and not too hot.  Down here in south Louisiana we have hot summers and always look for ways to cool off ... swimming pool, sprinkler, a cold drink, a snowball, and the ever-present air conditioner!   We look for ways to find joy and that usually that revolves around food, festivals or a combination of the two.

One way I am staying cool is indoors in the A/C and I am find some joy by working on my craft or taking a class related to my craft.  The company I get my chalk paint from has started offering classes on using their products.  I have taken two now and they have been very helpful.  I suppose this is my form of summer school ... but it's the good kind!

We have done some chalk painting 101 type classes for the first month.  We worked on a frame in the first class and on brass candlesticks and glass jars (or bottles) in the second class.  I am very excited about how my pieces have turned out.  Unfortunately I did not have a brass candlestick but I do have a frame and a wine bottle to play show and tell with.  Do you remember having show and tell in school or maybe scouts?  I do and I remember bringing stuff to show that I was excited about, whether anyone else was excited or like it.

Here are the photos of my pieces, first the wine bottle.  Actually I picked up this (empty) bottle at a shop purposely to upcycle and "pretty up."  I used chalk paint, Seaside, and brown aging wax for character from The Plaster Paint Company, which was included in the package of supplies for the class.  I finished my piece with some liquid matte wax and a light buffing.  I love, love, love how this turned out.  I am including a close up to show the details from distressing it.  The raffia gives this bottle a touch of whimsy.  You will be able to find this in my shop very soon.

My next piece to share is the frame.  The gold frame came with the supplies for the class.  It had a very formal feel to it.  I painted it with Sweet Cream and did some distressing with two different distressing tool, then used aging wax to add some character.  You will see there is gold peeking through where it was distressed.  This frame .... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!  I am not sure I will be able to let go of this piece!  LOL  There are some pieces I just have to hang on to and this may end up being one of them.  I have included a close up for you to appreciate the details of this frame.  The back is fully finished and ready to show off a photo on a table, desk, shelf or hanging on the wall.

I am enjoying the classes so much.  All those who take them get to do so in the privacy of their home or workshop.  I don't worry about weather my pieces look like everyone else's pieces.  Although we are using the same paint, wax, tools and techniques, we each have our own way of apply, our own amount of pressure when distressing (light or heavy), and our own style.

The products in the package are worth way more than the $19.95/month that I pay for the class.  It's like I paid for the class and got the supplies for free.  The classes are great if you live too far from a Plaster Paint store to take a class in person, or if your schedule or having small children keeps you from going.  The classes are done using Facebook Live in a private group set up just for those who subscribe.

If you are interested in signing up, just hop on over to http://www.theplasterpaintco.com/ and click on Plaster Paint Live at the top.

If you have any questions you want to ask me about my experience with the classes, just include them in the comments below or PM me on Facebook at Cynthia Welch Designs.

I did not receive any compensation in any form for this post about Plaster Paint Live classes, nor for recommending their products or services.

Hoping you have a happy June!

Cindy

Good Vibrations!

Good Friday morning everyone!  I am doing the happy dance because it's Friday.  I don't know what it is but Friday just seems so freeing!  LOL  Remember the oldie but goodie song, Good Vibrations?  That is my mood today.  I have always loved Saturday too because it seems like "play day" even in adulthood.  What is your favorite day of the week?  You can respond in the comments below.

I am going to a celebration this evening .... a wedding.  Those are always fun.  Tomorrow I am going to do some fun stuff with my craft work ... get some photos going and get some new stuff shown here.

Something new I want to share with you is about a service I provide now.   I have been chalk painting what I call "littles" for a while.  Littles are things like candle holders, vases, bottles, bowls, and so on.  Just about anything that can sit atop a table, shelf, entertainment center, and so on.  These are pieces I have picked up in various places to repurpose, upcycle, and reinvent.  I am still doing that but ....

Now I am offering to paint YOUR littles that need a new life.  Possibly the color is outdated but the shape and form are perfect.  This is the perfect candidate for chalk painting.  If you have some decorative pieces that need to be brought into the 21st century, I can help with that.

So how does that work?  First we'd meet and I'd look over the piece(s) you want painted.  (This could first be done with photos by email.)  The first time we meet in person, I'll take some photos, make some notes.  Then I'll go back to the studio to formulate a quote.  Quotes for potential work are always free.  The quote will include all supplies, paint, wax and labor.  I will also give you an estimate on how long the work will take.  Once you receive the quote you would have 2 weeks to get back with me about whether you want to continue and have me do the work.

Before any work begins, a 50% deposit is required.  This enables me to buy the supplies, paint, wax, etc., that are needed.  Once I receive the deposit I'll begin working on your piece(s).

When your pieces are done, I'll let you know.  The deposit that you paid for work to begin is applied to the total.  You'll pay the balance when you pick up your items.

Littles that are used for serving food or beverages are not eligible for painting due to it coming into contact with food or beverages.  It would be a safety hazard to paint it then use it for food or beverage service.

I am also available for painting your furniture.  All of the above applies.  I would look at the furniture in question, get photos, give a free estimate and you'd have 2 weeks to let me know if you want to proceed.

All prices for painting are dependent on the size of the piece and the work required to paint and wax it, plus any distressing or other details you desire.

If you have questions or pieces you want me to look at, there is no obligation.  Call me at 985-381-3154 or PM me on Facebook at Cynthia Welch Designs.

Much love and good vibrations for beautiful Memorial Day weekend,

Cindy

Things Are a'Changin'

Happy Sunday afternoon to everyone.  It’s been a while since I checked in here, but did not realize it had been so long!  Things have been a changin’!  Certainly, it’s a new year, it’s winter—at least it is on the calendar where I live, and in reality in much of the country.  All those who live in the Midwest experiencing winter store Jupiter, please stay safe!

I have also made some changes to my shop.  I started out with making coasters using tumbled travertine tiles and travertine trivets.  I still love doing those but I have found my thrill … on blueberry hill.  Well, not blueberry hill.  My thrill is painting with chalk paint!  I have ‘married’ that love of chalk  paint with upcycling and distressing found items, items I pick up at flea markets, thrift store, and resale shops …. OH. OH. OH.  Be still my heart.  Another LOVE is flea markets and thrift stores!  It seems more a popping up here where I live.

I am now making the circuit each week stopping in to look at their lovelies.  Well, some are lovelies in disguise.  I affectionately call them ugly ducklings.  I bring some of them home to help them in their process of turning into a beautiful swan.

To merit coming home with me, there are several qualifications.  One is that it must ‘call my name.’  It must be something that has enough unique, beautiful qualities such as texture, and something interesting about its shape and design.  Sometimes it’s a small glass bottle with interesting raised edges.  Sometimes it’s a vase with a beautiful shape.  Other times it’s a wooden bowl with a classic shape and interesting lines.

Of course, purchase price makes a difference.  I do have a little secret formula that I use to help figure out if I should get it.  Sometimes the price is a little more than I think I should pay but the piece is calling my name.  In this case, it is just a gut feeling and I HAVE to get it.

We have picked up items on the way home to see my dfil and have regretfully seen one of these little shops close.  It was one I got to stop in one time and bought two bottles.  They were pretty, matching textured glass bottles at an excellent price for the pair.  I looked forward to shopping there again on the way home from visiting him in north Louisiana.  Sadly, it was closed the next time we went through that area.

The changes in my shop include combining the two shops I had into one.  The new name reflects that I am diversifying to include other things besides coasters.  My new name is Cynthia Welch Designs and you can find me under that name at Etsy (www.cynthiawelchdesigns.com) and at Instagram.  I also have a Facebook page by that name.  My business page has general information about what is going on.  My fan page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/FansOfCynthiaWelchDesigns) is where I post specials for my Etsy shop and give aways that I run through my fan page.  Specials and give aways are not found anywhere else online.

Right now, it is kind of an off season for craft shows, at least in the area where I live.  It is time to start prepping for the spring shows.  This is the time of year I work on building stock for coasters, and now my painted, distressed, upcycled items.  I will be building my stock for a couple of months.  Of course I’ll list it on Etsy t00.  I plan on crafting almost every day to get ready.  If you have some inspirational quotes or photos, please share them in the comments!  {vbg}

If you live in the Houma, LA area and know of an estate sale, etc. that I should check out, please leave a comment or PM me through Facebook.  I love checking those out.

I will be doing 2 shows this spring.  One is a repeat for me, Market at the Mill in New Roads, LA.  I’ll also be doing Vintage Market Days in Brandon, MS.  I like the idea of indoor shows because it allows us to skip setting up a tent and it makes shopping easier for customers when the weather does not cooperate.

Vintage Market Days--Mississippi

Market At the Mill--New Roads, LA

So for now I'll say so long.  Check back for updates to my blog.

Because of His love I live,
Cindy