Paint Your Own Pottery

If you read this post, you are familiar with my favorite local business, The Art Barn Studio. I had so much fun last Saturday that I returned for another project.

This creation was made especially for a sweet couple getting married next month in Kentucky. I’m excited to attend Josh and Lindsey’s wedding and personally deliver their gift…along with a batch of homemade secret BBQ sauce for Josh ~ but that’s a different post.

I know Josh and Lindsey both read my blog, but I am the world’s worst at keeping giftsa secret. I am “Fort Knox” when it comes to keeping secrets, but presents make me happy and I want to share them immediately If I ever become a parent, I’ll be the worst Santa ever.

I decided before I arrived at The Art Barn that I would use the couple’s last initial as the focal point. I found a beautiful scroll border online and selected a 15-inch square platter as my “canvas.” It had wide rim too, perfect for a decorative border. This particular platter is perfect for displaying on a shelf or piece of furniture.

Once I had an item, I needed paint. I chose four colors: Basketball (burnt orange), Deep Purple, Dark Olive, and Chocolate Brown ~ all beautiful, autumn, and earthy tones. Of course I had help selecting these colors when I talked to Lindsey and she willingly answered all of my specific questions (i.e. what are your wedding colors? What colors are in your home?) without hesitation!!!!

tee hee hee

I just realized something: Josh is a former basketball player and current coach. I didn’t think about this when I chose the paint named Basketball!

 

I used Publisher to place a font inside the scroll image (for spacing) and carefully traced the design onto the plate. I didn’t use any magical measurements or even graphite paper (which is a suggestion and can be purchased at any craft store). I used a plain ol’ pencil…with an eraser. You see, when the pottery is “fired” inside the kiln, all particles ~ including pencil lead and rubber eraser marks ~ burn off. I wrote the letter “S” by hand. Handwriting is about the only artistic ability I have. I can’t draw a straight line WITH a ruler. Seriously.

I learned from my friends at The Art Barn (hey Hilary, Katie, Lindsey and Adriene!) that a minimum of two coats, preferably three, are best for intense color. The above photo shows the scroll design painted in Dark Chocolate and the “S” is Basketball (burnt orange). I applied three really thick coats of paint to ensure proper coverage and reduce streaking, or brush lines. I’m pleased how this turned out.

No, it’s not perfect but it’s handmade. Love it or leave it.

Here’s the platter as it looked when I left the studio. It’s ready to be glazed and then it will spend 24-hours in the firing kiln. When complete, it will have a glossy finish.

I promise to post pics of the final-final platter!

Whether you live in Texas or Wisconsin (don’t ask where that came from!), I encourage you to find a paint-your-own studio in your area. I’m fortunate to live less than five minutes from The Art Barn Studio.

Before the end of the year, I want to create “something else” at The Art Barn. In fact, I’ve added this to my 2011 Bucket List.

If you are in the Fort Worth area, I encourage you to visit The Art Barn Studio in Joshua. Tell them I sent you! If you’re located elsewhere, find your own creative sanctuary and have fun getting your ART on!

Peace, love, and custom wedding gifts,

 

 

 

 

 

p.s. Congratulations, Josh & Lindsey! Please don’t hate me because I couldn’t keep your gift a surprise. Love y’all!

Empress Smart-as-a-Whip!!!!!!

Say what?!

That was my nickname at tonight’s “Cocktails & Create” held at The Art Barn Studio!

This place is fantastic and tons of fun. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be Picasso Jr. to create custom, colorful, and creative keepsakes. Tonight was the third time I painted a piece of pottery at The Art Barn. I’m enjoying it more ~ and building my confidence! ~ with each visit.

 

Photo courtesy of TheArtBarnStudio.com

Hilary, the owner, and her staff (Lindsey, Adriene, and Katie) make sure each visitor has an enjoyable experience. They offer great suggestions and helpful techniques for a variety of projects, including paint-your-own pottery, barn art, mosiacs, and even wearable art (clothing and jewelry). They also have silver jewelry-making and their adding canvas projects to their “menu” of options. There is a wide array of items to suit your fancy!

The Art Barn Studio has also recently expanded its facility. There is lots of room for birthday parties, bridal showers, art classes, and school field trips. This place has it all, you really got to visit this place and get your ART on!!!!!!

 

Photo courtesy of TheArtBarnStudio.com

Once a month, The Art Barn hosts a ladies night called Cocktails & Create. I’ve been saying for months that I wanted to participate, but something always came up or I was out of town on event night. Well, I ran out of excuses or prior engagements (or both!) because tonight I had the privilege and honor to be with four lovely (and very artistic!) ladies from church. We had a blast creating our masterpieces.

 

Lil’ Dulce painted an owl, her school’s mascot! Her nickname was Princess Loud Mouth ~ hmmm!!!!

 

Mama Debra painted an inspirational plate for her classroom, she wrote “Believe” in the center. Her nickname for the evening was Queen Sings-in-the-Shower!!!!!

 

 

Jenny made a glass tile mosiac on a peace sign. Her nickname for the evening was Princess Shopaholic!

 

I must’ve drank too much sweet tea because I decided that painting a large platter with an intricate monogram and border within a limited time frame was a good idea. Perhaps my nickname should have been Table Idiot!!!!!!!

 

I’m still a-paintin’!!!!!!!

 

Four HOURS later………my pottery creation is complete!

I’m really pleased with the platter and I’m excited to see the final product. One must wait at least a week for their painted pottery to be “fired” in a kiln…..afterwards though, it’s all pretty and shiny and glossy. It’s gaw-geous dawlin’!!!!!!!

 

 

Mama Dulce showed off her uber-artistic abilities by painting this beautiful floral motif on a large round plate. This woman is talented!

 

She’s also lucky….as she won a doorprize. You would’ve thought she had won the lottery, but it was a miniature disco ball. YEAH BABY!!!!!!

Good times tonight, I can’t wait to see all of our finished products for a big reveal post. Stay tuned!

 

In the meantime, only 24 HOURS REMAIN until the “big kahuna” Celebration Giveaway ends. If you have not entered, you must visit this POST and add a comment with your name and email address. There are lots of great prizes included in this collection, you don’t want to miss out!!!!!!

 

Peace, love, and pottery,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

eezy-peezy DIY project

If you prefer expensive kitchen textiles and decorative items, you’re obviously in the wrong place. I don’t want to be rude, but seriously, expensive is so not cool.

Enter my eezy-peezy DIY project:

DISPLAY STANDS

I “borrowed” this extremely adorable and creative idea from Kate,  The Centsational Girl. Her blog is all about life’s fabulous-ness and home decorating……..for less. I totally dig that about her ~ I wish she’d come and rescue my drab house!

Anyway, thanks to Kate and this post, I was inspired to create my own display/dessert stands.

First, you need to visit your local thrift store. There is a Goodwill exactly 3.8 miles from my house. I’ve been to this establishment many times. I have a frequent customer card. Unfortunately, I never remember to take it with me. Fortunately, I shop on Wednesdays and get everything half-off. Saaah-weeet!

This particular Goodwill store has a very large home goods sections. In fact, there are two aisles of mixed glassware, plates, saucers, and other miscellaneous items. I picked up several different sizes of plates, as well as stem-ware and candlesticks for added height and stability. During my recent GA (Goodwill Adventure), I found a ceramic pillar holder about four-inches in diameter and four-inches-tall that I put under an over-sized round platter. The platter was really large, so it was important the base was extra sturdy.

Once you have a variety of thrifted items, you will need three more “ingredients” to complete your DIY creation: primer, paint, and silicone. I found all three at the Home Depot, pronounce Dee-Pot, cuz I’m cool like that.

I describe this DIY project as fun, cute, creative, and cheap. Including the GA items and paint supplies, I spent less than $35.00. I splurged a bit by purchasing multiple colors of paint because I plan to use different colors with tablescapes at future get-togethers. Besides, plain and boring monotone colors don’t cut the mustard.

aqua, red, white, purple, pink, orange, and black

Once you’ve got your collection of materials, the rest is eeezy-peezy.

Remove any price tags and hand-wash each item with soap and water. Rinse and dry completely.

I found a package of large writing boards in the garage. I placed one of the boards on the bed of Husband’s gooseneck trailer and that provided a clean work surface to paint these display stands. I promised Husband I would keep his beloved (and rusted) trailer clean with this paper. It makes for easy clean-up too.

Who needs a Craft Room when you have paper boards, wood scraps, and a gooseneck trailer?!

Who needs props or a fancy studio when you have half-ton hay bales and a step stool?!

Prep the surface by spraying an even coat of primer on all exposed areas.

Wait at least 30 minutes.

Then, apply a second coat.

When the primer is dry, arrange items on a hay bale then stand on a step stool to snap a cool shot with a horse trailor in the background.

Consider yourself uber-cool.

Once the primer is dry, liberally apply your selected paint color.

Hold the can of spray paint a few inches from the surface and use long, even strokes. I paint the surface from left-to-right, then up-and-down. If you like geography, pretend you’re painting the four compass points: from North to South, then East to West. 

That’s your social studies lesson for the day.

Wait an hour and apply a second coat. Let dry for several hours, preferably overnight.

Unless you live in Texas where it’s 3,409 degrees with a breeze ~ I call it Living In A Hairdryer ~ and your items will dry in less than an hour.

When the pieces are dry, you’re ready to assemble into display stands.

Apply a liberal amount of silicone sealant to the edge of the glassware or flat edge of a candlestick.

Carefully arrange in the center of the plate.

Wait at least 30 minutes to one hour before testing the silicone seal. When it’s completely dry, you can do the Lift Test.

 

VIOLA!

 

Congratulations, you can now make your own creative, cute, and oh-so-cheap display stands for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, dips, whatever you want!

I call this the Halloween Collection.

Make your own set and send me photos at nicole.m.hutchison (at) gmail.com. I can’t wait to see your creations!

Happy Thrift Hunting and Spray Painting!

When you are ready to use these display stands, be sure to use a sheet of wax or parchment paper, or one of those lacey-fancy paper sheets under any food items. It is NOT a smart idea to have food come into direct contact with paint. Just sayin’.

Toodles, Y’all!!!!!

 

P.S. Have you entered my Celebration Giveaway? If not, you’re totally missing out on a set of wonderful gifts. Click HERE to enter the contest; simply post a comment with your name and email address. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Monday. This contest ends Sunday, August 21 at midnight. Good luck!

“frugal, festive and fabulous”

I’m stealing borrowing this “frugal, festive and fabulous” craft project idea from Kate, the Centsational Girl.

I’ve been searching for inexpensive cake plates, cupcakes stands, and general food servers for our dining room table. I found this very creative DIY post from Kate and it’s just what I was looking for. The decorative ware is colorful, inexpensive, and can be customized to fit any decor. I especially like the fact that you could have multiple colors and heights to meet your needs for a large party or buffet server. Plus, you can coordinate colors by season, holiday, or a specific occasion (i.e. Fourth of July, bridal shower, or Christmas).

My best friend, Kim, thinks I have an addiction obession to decorative textiles, specifically placemats and kitchen hand towels. You see, I have multiple sets for every major holiday and season. While our table does not currently have any place-settings, the double-ovens are adorned with festive towels for Fourth of July. They’re so purr-deee.

I digress so easily.

Back to craft project……Colorful Display Stands

As soon as I saw Kate’s DIY post about creating colorful stands from items purchased at the local Goodwill store, I was hooked. Once again, here is another prime example when I scratch my head and scream at the top of my lungs…

“WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THIS SOONER?!?!”

Lucky for me, there’s a Goodwill store just minutes from the house. I wouldn’t say I’m a frequent customer, but I will stop occasionally to scout a good bargain. I went a couple of months ago and found several pairs of work pants and t-shirts that I am taking on the Haiti mission trip next month. I love a good sale and discounted prices are one of my most favorite things in life. Who cares if it’s someone else’s trash………it’s my treasure now!

So, I’m on a mission this week to create some of these decorative pieces for all the wonderful and amazing parties I don’t host and people don’t attend. If you read my post, Hostess with the Leastest you’d understand this statement. Perhaps decorative plates will encourage people to show up ~ hahaha!!!!!

Anybody want to have a party at my house?!?!

I’ll cook……..and decorate the table all nice and pretty!