A Year of PaintTips from Paintbrush and Pearls

As the new year begins, let's take a look back at some of the Paint Tips from Paintbrush and Pearls posted on Facebook...

1) Bring your projects inside once the weather turns hot. You should paint in an ambient temperature of about 55 to 85 degrees.

2) The right brush for the right job - Annie has three sizes she developed just for Chalk Paint®. They will make a difference in your projects.

3) Have you ever had the wood finish "bleed" through the paint? If it does, then stop painting and get some Clear Shellac. Add a coat and continue your painting.

4) When painting a large piece, start at the back to keep from leaning into wet paint.

5) Once Chalk Paint® is just dry, take a damp cloth and wipe off the paint for a wet distress that doesn't damage the carvings or details.

6) White Washes are an easy way to update your oak or pine furniture. Just thin the paint and brush on, immediately wiping off excess to create a wash.

7) No need to remove old hardware. Just paint right over it and wipe down to show some of the old finish.

8) Remember that it will take a while longer for the paint to dry in rainy weather, so plan your projects accordingly.

9) Don't forget to paint the underneath and back of your furniture. I do this first... 

10) For a wonderful patina, use my Buffing Sponge after waxing. You'll love the results.

11) Try adding Old White or Pure White to lighten a Chalk Paint® color. 

12) How much wax do you need on your brush? Just a little -  no more! 

Ready to paint in 2014? For PaintTips in 2014, join us on Facebook.

Happy Painting!  Rachel

Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:

4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 

19 S. Belmont Ave. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA

Directions to either shop

To see more tips, tutorials, photos: Paintbrush and Pearls

Want to see more? Find Rachel on:

SHOP ONLINE  |  FACEBOOK  |  PINTEREST  |  BLOG  

Happy Holidays

Here's to all of you who love to paint! 

I thank you for your patronage and look forward to painting with you in the New Year.

Happy Painting!  Rachel

Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:

4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 

19 S. Belmont Ave. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA

Directions to either shop

To see more tips, tutorials, photos: Paintbrush and Pearls

Want to see more? Find Rachel on:

SHOP ONLINE  |  FACEBOOK  |  PINTEREST  |  BLOG  

Painting Fabric with Chalk Paint®

I've been asked by several customers about painting fabric with Chalk Paint®. I confess that I had not tried it just because, well, I wasn't sure I would like the look. But after seeing many fellow Stockists post photos of their painted fabric chairs, I thought I would give it a try, so here goes…

I've learned that any fabric, including leather, can be painted, although the more natural fiber there is in the fabric the better as it absorbs paint so well. Fabric with a texture or a raised pattern can be made to look very interesting indeed when painted.

I choose this nice bergère because I liked the lines of the chair but the fabric was worn and the colors not my choice. It also had a nice pattern on the fabric that I was interested in seeing how it took the paint. Here's how to get the look.

STEPS TO PAINTING FABRIC

1) First make sure that the fabric will absorb the paint - I did this by lightly misting the fabric with distilled water from a spray bottle. You want to lightly moisten the fabric - not saturate it.

2) Make sure that the paint is of a consistency that is will "flow" onto the fabric smoothly and easily and will be absorbed. I did this by adding a little distilled water to the paint. It really is trial and error as to how much to add - start with just a little and see how it flows onto the fabric. The paint needs to soak into the top of the fabric without sitting on top.

Note: I didn't bother to mask the wood on the chair - I just wiped off any spills as I went. I liked how the frame of the chair was painted already so I left it like it was. I was also careful to paint "with" the pattern of the fabric to make the strokes smooth.

3) After the first coat has dried (and it dries fast), determine if you need a second coat. I have only painted this with one coat of Old White. I will go back and fix any gaps, but, really, one coat seemed to cover the fabric just fine! The paint dried rather quickly but make sure it is completely dry if you decide to wax it.

Here's how it looks with just one coat. I may add a second, but actually like how the pattern shows up through the one coat. 

4) To wax or not. Annie herself has both waxed and not. I decided not to wax mine, but if you do, then add a thin layer of Clear Soft Wax on top after the paint has dried. Annie suggests adding a tiny bit of mineral spirits to the wax to make it easier. Use a clean dry wax to remove any excess wax and then buff lightly.

That's about all there is to it! You can stop by the shop in Irvington to see the chairs.

Happy Painting!  Rachel

Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:

4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 

19 S. Belmont Ave. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA

To see more tips, tutorials, photos: Paintbrush and Pearls

Want to see more? Find Rachel on:

SHOP ONLINE  |  FACEBOOK  |  PINTEREST  |  le BLOG  

Last Chalk Paint® Workshops of the Year!

Your last chance to attend one of my Chalk Paint® Workshops!

Saturday, December 14 in Irvington

and

Tuesday, December 17 in Richmond

Both Workshops are three hour hands-on classes where you will learn at least four techniques for painting with Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan and how to use her Clear and Dark Soft Waxes. Plus, I'll be showing you our new French Gilding Waxes, now available at both shops. Add just the right amount of bling to your products with these new items.

I'll be showing you all the basics including Annie's Modern, Rustic, Two Color Distressed and Color Washes. I'm also including a demo on Aging Dust for you too!

Both Workshops are from 11 am to 2 pm and all supplies are included. Just come with your questions and ready to paint!

For more information and to register go to: Chalk Paint® Workshops

Happy Painting!  Rachel

Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:

4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 

19 S. Belmont Ave. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA

Directions to either shop

To see more tips, tutorials, photos: Paintbrush and Pearls

Want to see more? Find Rachel on:

SHOP ONLINE  |  FACEBOOK  |  PINTEREST  |  BLOG  

Posted with Blogsy

Your photo could be worth $1500!

Have your photo taken in front of the Chalk Paint® display at Brocante Home in either Richmond or Irvington and you you could win $1500 in Annie Sloan product!

The rules are easy - just have a picture taken with your smart phone (just ask us, we'd be happy to take it for you) and submit it to the Annie Sloan Snap & Share Contest. Then, have your friends vote for your photo and you could be the winner!

Submit your photo to Annie Sloan Unfolded Snap & Share Facebook page at:

Snap & Share.

The contest runs through this weekend (December 8th). Best of luck!

Happy Painting!  Rachel

Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:

4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 

19 S. Belmont Ave. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA

Directions to either shop

To see more tips, tutorials, photos: Paintbrush and Pearls

Want to see more? Find Rachel on:

SHOP ONLINE  |  FACEBOOK  |  PINTEREST  |  BLOG