Our Segment on Studio 512
That time we stopped by KXAN's Studio 512 for some fun with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint...
Recently we had the chance to stop by Austin's local news station KXAN's Studio 512 segment to demo our 'Vintage' Chalkboard Class. We worked with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint to create a usable chalkboard (usable if you write on it with real chalk, that is!) with a vintage look. What a fun time for us and the host Amanda! We were a but nervous going in, but always love to teach you so that helped dispel any butterflies. Here are some takeaways from the experience and the whole Milk Paint process:
- Being prepared is fabulous, because nothing will go exactly as planned. This is true in everyday life, for special events (like this video segment we did) AND in the DIY project realm.
- Milk Paint always starts at a 1:1 ratio of equal parts powder to water, and then you can add more of one ingredient or the other as needed- some days and working environments are more dry than others and you may need more water (which is why being prepared just in case is the best!)
- A great rule of thumb is to mix an equal part Bonding Agent in with your Milk Paint mix when painting over highly slick or manufactured surfaces (like the frame we used in the demo), to help that paint adhere.
- Quick projects like these are fun times to share with others, including with children (especially since it cleans up easily with soap and water and is non-toxic).
Sign up for your own date of 'Vintage' Chalkboards for a DIY take-home project as a way to learn some essentials about using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint! And don't forget to watch the video segment. Happy Painting!
Our Brush Guide for Your Projects!
Our guide to choosing the best brushes for your projects when at our Shop & Studio!
What's the right brush to choose for your project? We've put together our simple, handy Brush Guide for selecting the best brush when at our Shop and Studio.
Annie Sloan Flat Brushes- Great for minimized brushstrokes when applying Chalk Paint® decorative paint, high-quality synthetic brushes in two different sizes.
Annie Sloan Pure (Natural) Bristle Brushes- Natural hair brushes will always possess slight texture, so you can create both subtle and enhanced texture with this brush that comes in three different sizes. Each hold a lot of paint to extend your brushstrokes when using Chalk Paint® !
Artisan Enhancements® 45mm Topcoat Brush- As a blend of fine natural and synthetic bristles, this brush is intended to minimize brushstrokes when applying liquid topcoats that otherwise might exaggerate the appearance of strokes (like glosses). They also extend brushstrokes well by holding a lot of paint, which also makes them a favorite for applying Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.
Artisan Enhancements® European Wax Brush- This lightweight wax brush is great for starting, and is versatile due to size and length of handle. Its bristlehead is flexible yet slightly firm for ideal wax application.
Annie Sloan Wax Brushes- These pointed brushes are of the highest quality, allowing you to wax in tight corners and carvings. They come in two different sizes of both bristleheads and handles, so choose the best based on the size of your project and comfort for grip! Made in Italy.
Inside the Toolbox: Using Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes for Smooth Finishes
Why we love using Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes for smooth painted finishes.
Hello in the new year! For our first blog post of 2017, we wanted to jump right in and talk about smooth, sleek painted finishes. These are the quintessential contemporary, modern, and even Mid-century Modern finishes that are not only popular at the moment but timeless. As you know, Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan is versatile for both smooth and rustic techniques. How do we achieve such looks though?
Since Chalk Paint® decorative paint is a bit thicker than other types of paint, achieving specific finishes can come down to the type of brush. Chalk Paint® is already relatively self-leveling (especially once a layer of Soft Wax is applied), so it's not difficult to use your brush for smooth finishes. To minimize the look of brush strokes, use Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes. As high-quality synthetic brushes, they've been made to specifically work well with her paint line. When painting, work the brush from one side to the next of each section of your piece, working 'with the grain.' Each layer of paint should be thin and allowed to dry thoroughly before the next. Adding a tiny bit of water in with your paint can also help spread each stroke nicely, with minimized appearance. Anytime you feel the need to slightly sand, don't hesitate! See our video below:
The Flat brushes come in two sizes, giving greater accessibility for different sized surfaces. The small size is thin and narrow, and perfect for trim and other small spaces. They're easy to clean with soap and water. We always stock both sizes in our brick & mortar shop and online.
*You may have also seen painting techniques where brushstrokes are painted haphazardly, in an almost cross-hatched effect. This is a technique that Annie Sloan displays well, which fools the eye into thinking the surface looks flat and even due to optical confusion. Try your hand with that using the Flat Brushes if you'd like as well!
Happy Painting xo.
*GIVEAWAY!* October 2016
Enter our Giveaway by signing up to our email list.
If you're not already on our email list get on it ASAP, because we're doing a Giveaway for one lucky person on the list!
On Friday October 21st, we'll select our winner- and they'll receive one copy of Flea Market Secrets by Geraldine James. This book is a flea market, thrift hunting, treasure BIBLE, with great tips and ideas for your creative search.
Sign up to our email list to be entered into our Giveaway (we also have links to it through our homepage). In addition to being considered for our Giveaway, signing up to our email list gets you our latest news, events and workshop calendar, promos, and MORE!
So enter away, and if you're already on our email list you're already eligible!
Applying Clear Topcoat Sealer
If you're not familiar with Clear Topcoat Sealer by Artisan Enhancements®, this blog post is for you! If you're familiar with it but need a bit of a tutorial on how to apply it properly, this blog post is also for you.
Clear Topcoat is a soya-based, non-toxic and No VOC penetrating liquid topcoat that is absorbed well by Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan, Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint, and other water-based paints. It's both interior and exterior grade, and is the only sealer that can be applied to Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint® waxes (once they're cured and dried for 24 hours). It's applied over a completely dry painted surface with an ultra-smooth brush or roller, such as Artisan Enhancements®' Topcoat Brush, or a smooth synthetic-bristle brush. These tools are essential to help minimize brush strokes and help your topcoat look flawless.
Here are two videos I compiled, working with the Clear Topcoat Sealer over French Linen Chalk Paint®:
and some more tips about using the Topcoat Brush to apply the Sealer optimally:
To purchase any of these products, visit our online shop or stop by our shop location! We're always happy to provide a free in-person demo on how best to apply any of our topcoats.