GUILFORD COUNTY CHALK PAINT & CHALK COUTURE CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

GUILFORD COUNTY CHALK PAINT CLASSES - ANNIE SLOAN FURNITURE PAINTING WORKSHOPS

HIGH POINT & GREENSBORO AREA FURNITURE PAINTING CLASSES -Backed by 23+ Years Experience and using The Original and ONLY Chalk Paint, created in 1990 by Annie Sloan

***DECO ART FEATURED HELPING ARTIST

Chalk Paint Classes and Deco Art specialty & faux finish painting classes!
Check the schedule on Facebook !

RESERVE YOUR SPACE BY CLICKING THE PURCHASE BUTTON BELOW: Secure Payments via STRIPE

See why you are not getting that fine furniture look with your latex based paint, copycats and homemade recipes!

Workshops and Paint Classes held at my location or yours! Have at least 2 friends in addition to yourself and I will come to your location on a date and time of your choice!

Sharing my 23+ year passion for painting furniture and creating, we utilize my paint, wax & supplies for groups of 2 or more...paint your own Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ piece or design your own Chalk Couture Sign or Chalkboard! With 23+ years experience painting furniture, I have lots of techniques & tips to share for whatever look or style you want to create!

Chalk Couture Workshops to create your own professionally designed signs, chalkboards & more!

Providing you with Chalk Paint™, Wax, Sanding elements, Chalkology Paste, Transfers, Stencils and/or faux finishing elements and so much more - everything needed to create beautiful pieces!

Classes and Workshops with a maximum of 15 and get booked quickly so PREPAY EARLY to reserve your spot!

If you want to host a Chalk Paint, Deco Art or Chalk Couture wokshop at your home and have at least 2 friends to join you, I work with you on painting and waxing a larger piece, such as a chair, side table, etc.

For Chalk Paint Classes & Workshops, each person brings their own piece. For the beginner and BYOP (Bring Your Own Piece) classes, this can be a frame or decor item - anything from candlesticks to lazy susans or a small shelf...just whatever you have that you want to give new life to!

All Classes and Workshops last about 2 hours, to allow time for paint to dry, sand and then wax. You will learn more than you imagined and it is a lot of fun!

Prepayment is required, a minimum of 1 week in advance so that I have my schedule set and sufficient supplies in stock. I will accept cash in person or I can take cards here or through the Paypal Mobile app - you do NOT have to actually have Paypal in order to pay - it's just who I use to process credit card payments online.

Several types of classes are available for different paint, wax and distressing techniques at varying prices. Price for your first class or workshop is based on a 1 color technique with distressing and waxing of a small item (frame, candlestick, decor item, etc.)

You may book and confirm your class below with prepayment at least 1 week in advance. I can also accept credit or debit via phone or cash in person if preferred.

I CAN'T WAIT TO CREATE WITH YOU!

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RESERVE YOUR SPACE BY CLICKING THE PURCHASE BUTTON BELOW: Secure Payments via STRIPE













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DISCLOSURE: ThriftyLittleThings.net is a PR Friendly personal blog written and edited by Wendy Kohn. The majority of what I post is based on my own ideas, thoughts and projects, for the sole purpose of sharing my passion. However, at times I do accept various forms of compensation such as paid topic insertions and/or products, monetary sponsorship, coupons and other forms of incentives from companies and organizations that I feel compliment the blog, and offer value to my readers. Compensation will never influence the content or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may receive compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own and will NEVER be influenced by any form of compensation.

THRIFTY LITTLE THINGS STORE IN ALBEMARLE

I've been slack blogging lately, but for good reason!

Since I closed the former Shops On Depot store that I had taken over from a friend, I have really wanted my own place, not just for the store, but for workshop space, storage for projects in the works and also a Studio to hold my classes in. Honestly, those were my favorite things about the former shop. Since I had taken over ownership of that store, it was setup and run in many ways that would have been different had it been mine from the start. Don't get me wrong, it was an awesome experience, I had wonderful vendors and our customer base grew daily. It was exciting to see my vendors doing so well, but it became much more "work" and requirement of me than I was ready for at that point in my life.

The old downtown building that store was in was beyond costly to heat and cool and in taking over that shop, in addition to assuming what was already in place...costly vendor software, security system, insurance and all else that goes along with running a shop of that size and amount of vendors.

When the stress began to bleed into my personal life, I hired several people for various aspects of running the store, painting furniture,etc. Little did I know, that would hurt me more than help.

In my personal life, I was dealing with so much. My adult daughter is bi-polar and at that time was struggling, off her medication and self medicating with an addiction that was taking it's toll on our entire family. That, along with all else going on personally at the time would have been enough to cause most anyone to need to pause, and so I took the advice of a couple I hired and allowed them to manage the store, including the financial end of things, so that I could get re-focused and de-stress.

Needless to say, as I mentioned that hiring assistance hurt more than helped, the entire time I was "away", not a single cash deposit was made. The only funds that went into the bank were what was automated - credit cards. By the time I realized this, the damage was beyond repair and combined with my personal life at the time, I just could not see past the moment and decided to close.

It took me the entire year and then some to get over having been wronged by people that I trusted so openly. And to forgive those that were involved in teaming up with them, unknowingly, and trying to damage my name as a means of shadowing what they had done. The lies that they created and tried so very hard to get others to believe were only a reflection of them. My vendors who had been with me so long, as well as those who knew me on a personal level knew better. Still the bottom line with the huge bills at our location and my personal situation made it a relief to close the store at the time. It was bigger than I ever intended it to be, which was wonderful, but not what I needed or wanted at that point in my life.

I was so happy to go back to just doing what I love, painting furniture! However, I missed having the workshop and began to really want a space of my own...just a little place where I could work and show my pieces. Nothing huge or in any way as big as the former shop.

I believe everything happens for a reason, and how I came to finally decide to pursue a store for Thrifty Little Things now seems so meant to be. God always has perfect timing. Sometimes, circumstances that seem unfair or negative in the moment turn out to be His way of pushing us through a door we might otherwise have only stared at.

For the past several years, I had maintained my booth in a local antique mall. I also taught classes for their brand of paint. My 20 year history with all brands and types of paints eventually led me to the decision to no longer promote that brand because I felt that I was misleading customers. It looked great and painted well, but over time, I began to realize that the pieces I painted wore very easily and excessively. Although my promotion of that paint brand had nothing to do with my booth which had been their long before that paint even existed, once I told them I would no longer promote the brand, I was told I had 30 days to dismantle my booth. I was shocked and at the time upset, because one thing had nothing to do with the other. But I now know it was God's way of pushing me to the next level. I would have never moved out of that booth, otherwise.

And so, here I am! The perfect location became available the same week that I found out I had to move my booth. One thing led to the next and Thrifty Little Things store is in the works!

I can't wait to share photos and more details of the new shop with you all. I have great plans for it! However, it will be my own small space, with workshop, Studio classroom and all that I want for my own business, just how I want it, so that my passion continues to be my passion :D

Stay tuned! We're opening soon and the first Chalk Paint class in The Studio is October 15th!



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P.S.S. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to SHARE & Follow on Facebook and Twitter, plus PIN IT on Pinterest!

ThriftyLittleThings.com is a personal blog written and edited by Wendy Kohn. The majority of what I post is based on my own ideas, thoughts and projects, for the sole purpose of sharing my passion. However, as a full time Blogger, there are times that I do selectively accept various forms of compensations such as cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions and/or products and other forms of compensation and incentives from companies and organizations that I feel compliment the blog, and offer value to my readers. Compensation will never influence the content or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may receive compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own and will NEVER be influenced by any form of compensation.

CHALK PAINT TIPS & TRICKS FOR BEGINNERS

Chalk Paint Tips & Tricks for Beginners

I've been teaching paint classes for quite a while now and pass out a FAQ sheet that includes tips & tricks that everyone seems to love so that they can reference once they are home and working on their own. It can be hard to remember some of the little things if you are a beginner! I thought I'd share them here on the blog as well.

Painting with chalk, mineral and clay based paints is extremely different than latex, acrylic and other paints - if you've taken my class or tried on your own, you know!

My tips tend to come to me as I'm working or as questions get asked in my classes, so I'll add to this list as they arise!

Order of steps:
Paint
Sand
Wax

Remember that you are not loading up a brush and putting on a thick layer of paint as most do with latex. Start with smaller amounts and push your paint into the piece, spreading until there is no more left to spread. I think of it like the natural ingredients of the paint are actually becoming a part of the piece. Start with less and then go back and touch up where you need. Thick layers are not needed!

Use only Natural Bristle Brushes – Chip Brushes (cheap ones as used in class), Chalk Paint Pro or other branded specialty brushes & Artist brushes

Chalk Paint will be dry within 2 hours for you to sand & wax. It will be completely cured within 24 hours. Buffing 24 hours after waxing will give you more of a shine. The more you buff, the more shine.

Most brush strokes and mistakes will disappear once you sand. Brush strokes will give you more texture, especially if glazing or using dark wax, to give the time worn or aged look.

While you don’t need to sand or prime before you paint, you should clean and then allow to dry. Wipe an item down with low odor mineral spirits if very dirty.

Always pour your paint into a small bowl or other item to paint. NEVER dip directly into your original container as you transfer any dirt and bacteria from your piece that will then grow once you close your lid and spoil your paint.

Use SHELLAC (spray) before painting a piece that is mahogany or red wood to avoid color bleed. You can also use to seal out any stains that may come back up after painting. This is especially true if painting with the lighter colors.

Shellac is also a great way to get rid of the mildew or old smell in furniture. Spray thoroughly and then wait 24 hours before you paint.

Using Dark Wax is scary to most, but remember that it is easily wiped off with clear wax. Dark wax produces the aged patina and texture but you must ALWAYS clear wax before you apply the dark wax with exception only to darker colors. Otherwise, the dark wax will just change the color of your paint.

Wax can be completely removed from a piece by wiping off with TSP or Mineral Spirits. Or you can just paint over it! (With Chalk Paint only, of course!)

You can use
Polyurethane OVER wax, but you CANNOT use wax over poly, as it has nothing to adhere to.

If painting a piece that will be outside exposed to weather elements, you can leave as is if you want to allow more natural distressing or seal it with poly.
Furniture Wax melts in the heat of the sun and is not recommended.

If your finished piece (after waxing) looks "tacky" you have most likely used too much wax. Remember that a little goes a long way. One coat, allow 24 hours and then buff to desired shine(or not).

Most of all just paint and have fun! You will develop your own style the more you paint!



P.S. Don't miss another Thrifty Little Thing! Get them directly to your Inbox by subscribing to our FREE newsletter HERE

P.S.S. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to SHARE & Follow on Facebook and Twitter, plus PIN IT on Pinterest!

ThriftyLittleThings.com is a personal blog written and edited by Wendy Kohn. The majority of what I post is based on my own ideas, thoughts and projects, for the sole purpose of sharing my passion. However, as a full time Blogger, there are times that I do selectively accept various forms of compensations such as cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions and/or products and other forms of compensation and incentives from companies and organizations that I feel compliment the blog, and offer value to my readers. Compensation will never influence the content or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may receive compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own and will NEVER be influenced by any form of compensation.

DIXIE BELLE PAINT CLASSES - CHALK & MINERAL BASED PAINT

UPDATE: I found over the course of a few months that this brand of paint looks great, goes on well and has great color choices, but does not meet my standard for durability. Painting furniture and moving it to booths or shows, each piece painted with
Dixie Belle Paint would be horribly scratched. That speaks volumes to me about using it for furniture in a busy home with kids, etc.
So, I've returned to the #1 Brand Worldwide, the very first
Chalk Paint (name trademarked) created over 25 years ago by
Annie Sloan.

Sometimes you really do get what you pay for - good and bad!

I'll be continuing classes. Keep a check on the facebook page for dates & workshops!

I'm so excited to be teaching classes several times each month now so that you too can turn all your thrift store finds into treasures. I've been painting furniture in the shabby chic style since 1995, 20 years, so I have tried so many brands over the years, and am so excited it can now be purchased here in Albemarle.


Dixie Belle Paint Company is based in the U.S. and it is a chalk and mineral based paint. They have a great color palette and I found that the adhesion properties are exceptional, no matter what medium - glass, plastic or wood!

The price point for Dixie Belle paints are also great, starting at just $10.95. The photos above are from our first class. All the ladies had a blast and transformed some great items with Dixie Belle!

I'm constantly working on
furniture projects with Dixie Belle Paint, so be sure to subscribe to the blog and keep a check on my facebook page for all the before, after & how to's !



P.S. Don't miss another Thrifty Little Thing! Get them directly to your Inbox by subscribing to our FREE newsletter HERE

P.S.S. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to SHARE & Follow on Facebook and Twitter, plus PIN IT on Pinterest!

ThriftyLittleThings.com is a personal blog written and edited by Wendy Kohn. The majority of what I post is based on my own ideas, thoughts and projects, for the sole purpose of sharing my passion. However, as a full time Blogger, there are times that I do selectively accept various forms of compensations such as cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions and/or products and other forms of compensation and incentives from companies and organizations that I feel compliment the blog, and offer value to my readers. Compensation will never influence the content or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may receive compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own and will NEVER be influenced by any form of compensation.