If it's FREE, it's for ME

We've always thought it was a little strange

to pay hundreds of dollars to learn to use a paint product you just bought...

Of course, there is great value in learning tips and tricks

from someone with experience

but shouldn't the basics be available to anyone 

that wants to try the paint? 

We think so. 

So, in the spirit of paying it forward,

we're going to offer FREE classes each month

Now, don't get too excited...

(ok, you can get excited, it IS exciting!)

these will be BASIC classes...

Enough to give you a solid foundation 

and the courage to pick up a brush and dip into that paint

but we won't be sharing ALL our secrets

These classes will be fun and no-frills...

you won't go home with a cute apron 

we won't be feeding you breakfast or lunch

(just chocolate and coffee/tea/cocoa!)

and you'll need to bring your own SMALL item

(wooden candle sconces, a small shelf, a frame...you get the idea)

 we'll provide the paint, wax, etc

The idea is that we WANT you to try the paints we carry

we WANT you to be comfortable purchasing them,

because you've used them and have an idea how they perform

We've all spent hard-earned dollars trying new products,

only to have them gather dust because they didn't do what we wanted

or we couldn't figure out how to make them work well

(hello, dark wax!)

We only sell things we LOVE, so we know you'll LOVE them, too

once you try them!

We think it's a WIN/WIN

Our next FREE class is Saturday, Feb. 1 at 11am

Featuring Amy Howard Home One Step Paint

Wax, and Dust of Ages

Limited to 10 students

Registration required

stiltskinstudios@gmail.com

Hope to see YOU soon!

Kenny and Michele

Dust of Ages

Being at the shop all day, nearly every day

is making me VERY productive...

Of course, the fact that I'm leaving my laptop at home

MIGHT have something to do with it, too!

In any case, I'm really enjoying 

playing around with all the new products

we're carrying

It's rejuvenating, in a way,

testing out all these new goodies!

I'd become so used to one product...

I know it inside out and upside down

Certainly time to mix it up!

We've had Dust of Ages for awhile,

ever since we first tried Amy Howard's products

The colors we ordered were mid-tones,

and the Dust didn't really show up too well 

I put it aside, and forget all about it

Until today. 

I was working on the chair you see in the background

I love the soft, cool tones

(Credenza from AHH and Fluff from Dixie Belle)

Not wanting to alter the color too much

nor warm it up with dark wax

I decided to give Dust of Ages another go

LOVE.

The subtle shadow of age...

 adding contrast and patina without too much warmth...

Perfectly highlighting all the yummy details!

I loved it so much, I went a little crazy

 A light application...applied with a small brush only in the recesses 

and a heavier application, applied with a giant brush all over

The pieces all turned out GORGEOUS...

have a look!

I'll share before and afters on these two chairs tomorrow...

and I promise, I'll get a picture of that awesome shelf

that you can only see a preview of above!

Thanks for stopping by!

Michele

chubby girl!

I saw this table last week at an auction preview
The auction was Saturday, and I had a work event
So I was not able to go bid...
evidently, no one else was able to, either
because it did not get a SINGLE bid!

It's very old,
very solid,
and very lovely
It weighs 90lbs!
so chubby!
It even has a hidden drawer!

I want this for myself,
selfish girl that I am...

Before I get too attached,
I guess I should try it in my space
and make sure it's not too large, huh?

I have a plan for the "after"
It involves paint.
(wink wink)

Dunedin Antique Market

We spent the morning meandering around
our own little neighborhood
Today was the bi-annual Antique Market

See that fabulous frame (wood) at the end of this row?
I really wanted it, to make it into a chalkboard
but alas, she was asked more than I wanted to pay...
nice selection of vintage windows, too

I was surprised (in a good way)
to run into a fellow vendor from
South Tampa
She mentioned she might be getting some authentic
European grainsacks from her son,
who is in the military
She brought them with her today
and I bought them both
will share pics of my finds later
She has another, and is getting
more graphic ones in December...woo hoo!

It was a lovely day,
blue skies and a nice breeze
82 degrees with moderate humidity

I didn't buy too much
just the two
Euro grainsacks,
one feedsack,
a printer's tray,
a wood chair with carved roses
and
a mini Eiffel Tower

Oh, and lunch at Cabana!

Drive By Shopping

I know better than to "stop in"
at my favorite shops
on the way home from work
when I really don't have
any money to spend...
You know how it is
if you have no money,
you will find things

you. MUST. have.

Case in point...
I mean, really, would you
could you
have walked away?

I saw it from the road
(the evil temptress/proprietress
puts her newest goodies out front
to entice)
and there was NO WAY
I could NOT stop

mid-to-late 1800's
perfect condition
working key
solid wood
(looks like Tiger Oak,
my weakness for NOT painting)

Needless to say, I now own it...
I have no place for it
it doesn't even match my dining room
I don't even LIKE glass front cabinets!

Will it end up for sale?
Not sure yet...
Will it end up painted?
Not sure yet...

Stay tuned...

Grand Dame

My husband was puzzled when I bought this
"but were is the rest?" he asked
"Who cares!" I replied...
"it's wonderful all by itself"
Don't you agree?

It's quite fancy
so to offset that, we used Old Ochre Chalk Paint
then heavily distressed

I adore all the nooks and crannies,
twists and turns

I have the perfect space for this
except it's currently home to yet another
lovely mirror

I'm going to try it out tomorrow
if it looks nice
and it's still listed on Etsy in a week
I'm going to keep it!

wingin' it

How bad do I want these?
yeah, that bad.

To give you an idea of scale,
that is a KING sized bed frame below

I did not buy them.
I know they must be repros...
and I have nowhere, literally, to put them.

Does anyone know
anything
about these carved wooden angel wings?