The Marketplace at Adam’s Farm

I am so over the moon excited to announce that I am participating in the FIRST OF IT’S KIND vintage and artisan marketplace at Adam’s Farm in Walpole Mass.  The market, created by Vintage Thymes Monthly Market is bringing together vintage dealers and artisans in a Two day event that will feature LIVE music, food, and one of a kind finds on the sweeping grounds of the 365-acre farmstead.

This will be a showcase of more than 30 vendors selling items such as re-purposed treasures, painted furniture, up-cycled finds, candles, jewelry, and handmade bags.  Personally I will bring some of my newest treasures, newly created pieces, and one of a kind items I made just for this event!

I will also be doing a Dixie Belle Paint Demo on both days. In addition I will bring samples of different types of surfaces you can apply this amazing paint to.

ReClaym’d with Dixie Belle Paint

Attendees will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a signed copy of Killer Stuff and Tons of Money by Maureen Stanton.  This book offers an insider’s look into the world of flea markets, antiques, and collecting.  Three copies will also be available for auction

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The Marketplace will run from 10:00 am- 4:00 pm October 24th and 25th.  Admission is $5. Kids, twelve and under, are free. Adam’s Farm is located at 999 North Street, Walpole, Ma.  Look for the BIG RED BARN. Parking is FREE.

Look for me at my ‘Space”  And mention you read this blog and receive a special gift as a Thank You!!!

More information on re-Claym’d can be found on my Facebook page and on Instagram!

 Thanks for reading!  ~ Dena

I’m BACK!!!! With a Give Away and a New Show……

Wow! What a Summer!! My Daughter got married, I had one son not only move out of my house, but out of state, another son got his driver’s permit, a grand baby started Kindergarten, another was in the hospital for a week (she’s okay now)& we got a new puppy.  For you who know me, Yes That Is 3 Doggies!!!

   

Now for the Good Stuff!! I am very excited for a couple announcements.  One…. I was recently invited to be part of a show that will be a combo of Artisans and Antiques. The Marketplace at Adams Farm.  I hope to have more details for all of you soon.  But in the mean time Follow this link to check it out:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Marketplace-at-Adams-Farm-477861202395523/timeline/

For this show I really want to bring All New Fresh Inventory so I’ve been picking, shopping, painting, upholstering and creating for weeks. I posted a very vague hint to what’s to come on Facebook. And to make it even more exciting I will be doing a paint demo on each day using Dixie Belle Paint products. Yay!! Mark your calendars for Oct 24th and 25th!  i think this will be a great place to kick off your Holiday shopping.  There will be all kinds of unique gifts for your home, your family, your friends, and YOURSELF!! 🙂

Which leads me to the Second announcement, How would you like to WIN $150 worth of Dixie Belle Products? For anyone who likes to DIY or freshen up your tired furniture and accessories, THIS IS FOR YOU!  To be entered in the drawing please visit:

Dixie Belle Mineral Paint Giveaway!

Follow the instructions on the widget at the bottom of the page and enter.  It’s easy I promise!  The rules of the give away allow me to enter too, so I decided that If I win I will pass it along to one of my customers, clients, or followers by random drawing.

 With 35 colors, 3 finishes, 8 glazes The possibilities are endless!!!

I will have a new class schedule up soon. New Demos, Bring Your Own Piece workshops and Beginners workshops all coming this Fall! (Check my Calendar tab for this info.)

re-Claym’d is on Instagram.  Follow me to see my latest creations FIRST!

I’ll Be Back Real Soon…

I was doing pretty good posting on a semi regular schedule.  But lately I have found it impossible to create, much less blog. 😞

So I decided to let you know why I’ve been absent. My daughter is getting married! 💏 The time is quickly getting away from us and now we are down to counting days… 5!!!!

I will be back at it in September, I have a HUGE amount of inventory and potential projects. I have lots of ideas and can’t wait to get started.

In the meantime here are some photos from the shower and one of her engagement session. 

The lucky couple! (Photo credit- Mark Rand Photography)

3 generations. My mom, my daughter, and me.

The ‘Girls’ (the 2nd, 3rd & 5th are ours) Bride to be is in the middle.

Until then!!!! Thanks for reading and I’ll have a project posted here soon!!!

~Dena

The little Projects…

Here are 2 quick and easy projects…

First,  what to do with all those old record albums? Not the ones that you’d ever listen to again, but the ones you find at yard sales and thrift stores.

Here’s a 30-60 second redo:

1-Center on an oven proof bowl and place on a cookie sheet. The center the record on top.

2- place in a pre heated oven (400 degrees)

3- LEAVE THE OVEN DOOR OPEN DURING THE NEXT STEP
4- Watch the magic happen.

5- when it gets soft and ‘melty’ on all sides remove it from the oven.
6- using an oven mitt gently form the record around the bowl.

7- let it completely cool & and You Are Done!!!
A unique place for fruit, remotes, keys an more!

Second, do you have an old globe?  Again, in talking about the cheaper generic kind.
Why not make it useful in another way? All you need is the globe, any size and chalkboard paint.  This one is self explanatory so… Here ya go…

Now that’s a memo board!!!

Hope you liked these!! Visit my Facebook page and Instagram for all things re-Claym’d!

Thanks for visiting!!
Dena

“Holy Guacamole!!”

This has been a BUSY month, and I don’t see things slowing down for a couple more months.  Me and the Hubby just celebrated our 21st Wedding Anniversary, we took a mini vacation, plus planning and getting ready for my daughters wedding, all while watching my grand babies and continuing with my business and painting.

Now back at it….

I had a previous ‘paint class student’ come by the shop and asked if I wanted this piece…

“of course!!!”  

After I had the chance to take a closer look, I found that the drawer had an interesting joint, a Knapp Joint.  I did some research and learned more about this type of joining system, the approximate age, and other names for this type of joint.  (post and cove or half moon).  Any way it was developed in the late Victorian Era in post Civil War United States. Very strong and constructed using machines, so production was possible in a large scale factory setting.

This little cabinet had some Tole painting on it and I didn’t want bleed through so I coated those areas with Satin Clear Coat, after it dried, I painted those areas with the color I chose for the piece, Holy Guacamole.  One of the newly released colors.

Again I waited for the piece to dry and proceeded to paint the entire cabinet, 2 coats.  When I was happy with the look and coverage, I distressed the edges and places of ‘natural wear and tear’ with my mouse sander and went on to the next step.

I went with Burlap on the top.  Also a newer color.

Now for the NEW AND EXCITING product that the Dixie Belle Paint company released recently…

Easy Peasy Spray Wax!  Just like the name implies: EASY!!! Spray on, wipe off!  I used 2 coats on this, letting it dry completely in between coats.  I can’t emphasize enough how nice this was!  Other waxes I’ve used were SUPER LABOR INTENSIVE, not this one!!!!  And as a side note, it also ‘is low VOC, repels dust and grime, odor free, water based and eco friendly‘.  No other company has anything like it or even close to this available!!!

Lastly I painted the knobs and used the Grunge Glaze on the entire piece.  The glaze as interest and depth.

Now for the “Before and After”.  It is a always so amazing to me when I see the transformation that a little imagination and paint can do….

Thanks for reading and as always, I enjoy your feedback and comments.

Dena

Old Product New Use!!

Dixie Belle Paint use a product that is used to seal and protect painted surfaces.  Clear Coat; it’s available in Satin finish and a Gloss finish.

I recently decided to try using this product as an Image Transfer Medium.  And after ‘several’ trial runs I am so excited to say, “I FIGURED IT OUT!!!”

It works so Beautifully, I can’t wait to hear from some of you on what you think.

***make sure you use a laser printer, ink jet will not work, believe me I tried…. several times.  And if your image has lettering, be sure to ‘reverse’ the image.

Here’s how it works….

• Paint your piece and finish it to your liking, making sure to Clear Coat the area you intend to put your image.
• Take your image, Hand tear the edges leaving less than an inch around the printed edge.
• Cover the entire printed area with a layer of Clear Coat Satin. 
• While it’s wet, place the paper printed side down in the desired position on your piece. 
• Use a straight edge tool, (credit card), gently smooth out the paper, making sure not to tear the paper, but yet get all air bubbles out.
• Allow to Completely Dry!  
• Now for the Fun Part…. mist the paper with water, making sure you really saturate it. 
• Start rubbing the paper, use your fingers or rub gently with a soft cloth.  Being careful not “scrub off” the image. 
• Continue to do this till you remove all paper residue off. 
• When it’s dry, apply one more light coat of the Satin finish Clear Coat.  Enjoy!!

Here some images of the Learning Process.  I don’t have any photos of the epic fails~ I think I deleted them… opps, but you’ll get the idea.

     

I will be offer how-to classes in July and Aug.  Check out my facebook page and Calendar page for more information, dtes  and times.

Balloon Back Carved Chairs / Table / Vanity

Over the past several weeks I have acquired a hefty amount of inventory.  So last  Sunday I dedicated my day to transforming some of my treasures.

First up… I picked up these ‘Balloon back, carved Victorian chairs‘, they were in really good shape, but I wanted them to have a more modern look.

I chose to do these in Dixie Belle Paint in Fluff, the seat in Burlap, and then add dimension with Grunge Glaze.

 The fabric was painted!  Notice the subtle change in color, harvest gold to Burlap!  With Dixie Belle Mineral Paints this is easy!  Keep the fabric damp, and the brush wet; that’s it! Easy Peasy! (check out the calendar of events tab for class information if you want to learn how to do this)

Next I had this small table that I painted in the same colors.  Now they can be a set or stand alone pieces.

Here are the finished results.  I love them and I hope you do too.

Another project I worked on was a small vanity.  These were popular in the 50’s – 60’s, When they were sold they often had skirts around them, then to access the center drawer, they would swing open.  Unfortunately I forgot to take a before photo (so mad at myself) but any way, I removed those pieces for a couple reasons, 1- no way was there gonna be a skirt put on this piece, & 2- I like is so much better with out the additional wood.

I went WAY out of my normal color base and painted this one with Dixie Belle Peony on the base and Fluff on top.  After painting I distressed it, Clear Coat applied…. all done!!

I have some exciting new projects on the horizon.  A new technique that I’m working on and I can’t wait till have it all ready to share.  Stay tuned!!

Thanks for reading!

Old Stuff – New Again!!

A friend of mine owns a business named ‘Fabulous Finds’, she is a picker and often has Barn Sales that I enjoy frequenting….

A couple weeks ago I went to one of her sales and picked up a couple things.  One was an old chair and another was a short, iron, sewing machine base with a piece of wood already attached to the top.

Unfortunately I forgot to take a before photo of the base, but they are fairly common and I didn’t alter that part  in any way. (I’ll do better in the future) This was a fast transformation.  I added a high density foam pad, batting, and a beautiful blue and white Sunbrella fabric. I hope you like this one as much as I do.

Now for one of my FAVORITE pieces I’ve done lately.

I knew this was an old solid oak chair when I bought it.  I knew it had potential.  What I didn’t know was it’s history.  I found a label on the underside that read, “P. Derby & Co. ~ Boston”.  And off to Google I went….  I found out this was a Huge furniture company in its day.  It was in business from 1863-1935 and specialized in Windsor chairs.

  Now for the hard part…. I had to remove the seat so that I could reupholster it.  I know what you’re thinking…“how could you do that to an antique?”   Well…. the seat was beyond repair and I wanted to save it as a whole an turn it in to something someone will love.

 Now for the WOW factor. (well I think it’s a WOW)  I have a few feed sacks that I’ve been wanting to use and now I can!!!  These are two I was choosing between.

 The Flory’s Feeds is the one I chose!!  For paint I decided on Yankee Blue Dixie Belle Paint.

So after cleaning, painting, distressing, finishing and upholstering, this is the finished project!  I am in love with it!  I love the way the feed sack looks as the cushion.  A usable conversation piece!

 

Currently both pieces are available at Lavender Sky Gifts.

As always, thanks for reading!  Hope you enjoy the ‘flips’ as much as I enjoy doing them!! Stay tuned for more…

{special thanks to Nikki at Fabulous Finds in Hanover}

& Check out the Calender of Events for info on Re-Claym’d workshops, demos, and events

time to re-Group…. and go to Brimfield!!!!

I have so many things going on that I’m finding it hard to focus.  I have been teaching chalk painting techniques, painting my own projects-personal and to sell, re-Clayming new items for the shop, co-planning an Artisans Fair, trying to write for this blog, and more.  (and that’s just my ‘work’ life) My Personal life is even more nuts….

So this week I am Determined to come up with a workable schedule.  Up until now I’ve just been flying by the seat of my pants.  But not anymore!!!!  So while looking for planning tips from fellow bloggers, Pinterest, and Facebook the one thing they all say is “put in on a Calendar!”

So this week I’ve been setting a schedule that includes everything from Blogging and Facebook posts to when to Paint and Plan.  It is truly a work in progress but I’m gonna keep plugging away at it till it works.

But in other news…. The Brimfield Antiques Show is on the horizon!  & I’m going for 2 days!  I love this market, it never disappoints.  This has to be one of the biggest fairs in the country, something for everyone.  I have my list of things I’m hoping to buy, and a small list of items that I’m ‘picking’ for others.  (now’s the time to let me know if there is something you want me to lookout for)

{check it out here: Brimfield Antique Flea Market Web Site}

Held 3 times a year, and I like them all.  May‘s show is all new and exciting especially after a long winter.  July‘s show is hot, dry and dusty, but a little less crowded.  September‘s show is nice cause the kids are back in school and it’s nice to get away for the day (or 2), the dealers seem ready to negotiate and you can really get some good buys.

        

Two or three years in a row we’ve ran into the filming of Flea Market Flip.  (I secretly would love to be on that show… Haha!!) We watched every episode but never found us in the background crowds… We’ve seen a duck being walked on a leash, a Santa Clause or 2, and all sorts of other costumed people. After I get home and unload all my treasures I’ll post pictures of how it went this year.

And while I have your ear, Dixie Belle Paints announced New Colors!! Barn Red, Hurricane Gray, & Burlap!!  I have sample pieces of all the glazes, and even more new stuff coming… colors, T-shirts, and gift bag starter kits.  I’ll let you know when it’s in. I’m so excited!!

 

re-Inventing!

For a change I am going to write about a different aspect of my ‘business’.  “re-Purpose, re-Style, re-New”

I have this urge to use items for purposes other than what they were intended. Not sure why… So a big part of what I do is “re-Claym” broken, found, and unusual ‘things’ and turn them into useful pieces that you can use in your home or office.

So today I was busy in the ‘workshop’ INVENTING….

I have a collection that I have built over the years that I work from.  So from my JUNK pile this is what shaped up…

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#1 project: I picked up this large Shaughneessy Ahern Moving Contractors crate (over 3 feet in length) at a friends barn sale.  I was going to make it into a coffee table, but after looking at it, I decided that it work awesome as a storage bookcase.  I added casters for easy portability & 2 shelves using 1″x3″ pieces of wood cut to size and screwed in place,  I haven’t stained the shelves yet because I’m waiting for my steel wool/vinegar stain to be ready to use.

Here’s the finished project… Love!!

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#2 project:  I have this small trunk,

I immediately thought “file cabinet” when I saw it.  Do you see it?  Anyway… so that it could have more than one use, I added legs that brought it up to Coffee Table height, then on the inside I added braces for hanging files.  Now it has 3 uses!!! Storage, Files, Coffee Table! Woo-Hoo! 

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#3 project: This one is my favorite of the day!!!  I have a shallow drawer that was turned into a memo board.  And yes, those corks were from the ones at my house… I had help, Don’t judge 🙂  This one wasn’t difficult, and I think the end result was fan-tas-tic!!  What do you think?

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#4 project:  This one was the fastest and the easiest.  I had a left over board from the crate project & a rusty old funnel…. so what else but a twine holder…  Simple but Useful!! Even a hook for your scissors.  And because I couldn’t create all day without picking up a paint brush, this is painted with Yankee Blue and Black Glaze.

More Soon!!!