Friday, May 8, 2015

TLC Vintage Collection May 2015 Newsletter -- Volume 24

TIP OF THE MONTH

What is “cure time” for Chalk Paint®   decorative paint by Annie Sloan and for her Soft Waxes?

     Cure time is how long a finish takes to reach its maximum hardness. This can vary depending on the thickness of the product and the environmental conditions – such as heat and humidity. You may use a waxed piece of furniture or décor prior to it reaching maximum hardness if you are gentle with it or use coasters or placemats to protect the surface.

     Have you ever painted two layers of paint and then waxed it the very same day within a short period of time? If you have, you may have noticed that on the edges of your piece – where the paint tends to be thinner, some paint is distressed off just from brushing on and wiping off the wax. When this is not the look you are going for, I suggest you wait a day between your last coat of paint and waxing the piece. This will give the paint time to dry thoroughly and “grip” the underlying surface harder before being waxed.

     When painting items for outdoor use, you will use no wax. But you should let the paint finish “rest” a day or two before being exposed to the elements. Leave the piece indoors or at least covered when outdoors to give the paint time to harden. After that, you may even want to buff the paint, which will give the paint a little more protection.

     With your waxed pieces it may take from 5-21 days to completely cure. Fairly often we will wax a piece in our shop and put it onto the display floor the same day. People who touch it will often note it feels different from the rest of the furniture in the store. This is because the wax is fresh and not totally dried out. The next day it feels much different! Heat and humidity do play a tremendous role in the curing process. I find the wax hardens much quicker during the winter when the furnace is running and the air very dry. When you notice fingerprints or newsprint smudged on your surface, it is because the wax is not yet cured. This should not be confused with too much wax, which feels tacky to the touch.

     A perfectly cured wax finish should last for years, and easily be buffed up time and again for an ageless look.



Our paint display cabinet has been serving us well for over a year. Thousands of cans of paint have sat on our waxed finish and been slid across it. Stop by to see how well it has stood up to the abuse!

WHAT’S NEW AT TLC VINTAGE

Annie Sloan Designed Stencils – Eleven of Annie’s 21 new stencil designs arrived May 7 and are available for purchase. We expect the remainder to be available in about 10-14 days. Annie’s stencils can be seen by visiting www.anniesloan.com and opening the stencil tab!





Loretta Wilkins – This past week marked the departure of Mary Lou Killebrew who has left us to pursue her own dreams. She and her daughter hope to collaborate on a business in Ankeny. This gave us the opportunity to ask Loretta, who owned LahTeeDah in Urbandale to join our staff. Loretta is an accomplished painter and loves contemporary looks, which is great to have since my finishes tend to be more historical and classical. Make sure to get to know Loretta next time you stop by!

     Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana – She made her arrival this week in England and so the rumors must have been true! Stop by and see our ombre chest of drawers in Emile, Henrietta and Antoinette, inspired by the rumored purchases of those colors for the royal baby’s nursery!



UPCOMING EVENTS

#AnnieSloanLate@TLCVintageCollection  – June 19 at TLC Vintage Collection, 6-8 pm.  Stay tuned for more information. Charitable event benefiting the Children’s Cancer Connection of Des Moines.

USEFUL SOCIAL MEDIA SITES

https://www.youtube.com/user/AnnieSloanOfficial -- this is Annie’s official videos and those of her stockists that she has chosen to represent her work! Lots of free lessons here on the use of Chalk Paint® and soft waxes!

https://www.youtube.com/user/missmustardseed -- this is the official site of Marian Parson, Miss Mustard Seed and videos about her Milk Paint.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Wear paint appropriate clothing for all classes and we provide the rest: folder of notes, sample boards, refreshments. In-store discounts day of class. All classes are approximately 3 hours but may run long.  Discounts for 2 or more people booking together in advance for all workshops.

Chalk Paint® 101 Plus!
Six starter paint techniques plus clear and dark wax methods! $85 in advance.  Minimum of 4 people. All Noon to 3 pm, unless otherwise stated.     
June 6    July 11                 Aug 1       Sep 2 5:30 to 8:30 pm       Oct 3                     Nov 7

Chalk Paint® 201 Even More!
More amazing paint techniques of Annie Sloan!  Crackle, frottage, wet wax distress and more! In advance $85. Minimum of 4 people. Noon to 3 pm.
Aug 22   Oct 17   
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Chalk Paint® Your Kitchen Cabinets & Built-Ins! How to renew your dated cabinets at a fraction of the cost without replacing them! $85 in advance. Minimum 3 people, maximum 7. Noon to 4 pm
Jun 13            Aug 15                  Oct 10

Wood Icing
Ice wood like icing a cake. Texture paste to add a permanent dimension to any surface! Lace, wood, reptile, stencil & more. $85 per person in advance. Noon to 3 pm.
May 16                 July 18                  Sept 26
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Artisan Enhancements Special Effects!
Crackle, Pearl Plaster, Transfer Gel, Venetian Plaster and easier than ever before gilding! Fun beyond description! 4 person minimum. $85 in advance. All Noon to 3 pm.
May 30                   Aug 29                   Oct 24
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Chalk Paint® Fabric & Upholstery!
Oct 31
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Introduction to Milk Paint
A variety of applications for the use of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. Wax distress, layering, staining and more!

June 20: Noon to 3 pm
Studio Time: $25 per hour by appointment. Rate adjusted per person if more than one. You purchase materials to use from TLC Vintage. Tutoring or project oversight. We also do custom  painting.


Girls Night Out! Wine, Cheese, Paint Therapy!
Put together a group of girlfriends and spend 3 hours in the studio painting! Organize your group. Book it exclusively starting at $350 for your group up to 8 people. You bring the wine, we provide the cheese and paint!


     
Class Size & Cancellation Policy: We maintain the right to refund your money or arrange for a different date if we do not have the 3-4 people necessary  to make a class viable. If you are ill or weather prevents travel, you may reschedule to another date within six months of the date you originally scheduled. If your plans change, we need a two-week notice before the class date if you want to be rescheduled. Under two weeks, there is no refund but if your spot is filled we will allow you to reschedule. Otherwise, your fee is forfeited.