Monday, December 12, 2016

Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas -- TLC Vintage Specials!


The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a festive season starting Christmas Day through the January 4!

Best memorialized by the song, "On the first day of Christmas....", TLC Vintage invites you to enjoy the days post-Christmas until the arrival of the Three Kings with a little celebration of our own to thank our customers who have made 2016 such a stellar year! Let's start the new year with some fun! 

The store will be closed Saturday through Monday, December 24 through December 26 and again Saturday, December 31 through Monday, January 2. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy those other days by stopping by for a hot drink and some treats. When you do, we have a bunch of discounts and specials for you during all those other days. Meanwhile, on our days off -- do as we will -- enjoy your friends and family! Here is a rundown of 12 buying incentives we have planned for you!

Any Papers Papering! 35 percent off anything paper related! Cavallini and antiqued papers and books! 


All Paints a-Painting! $1.50 off all Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Waxes! $3 off Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paints and finishes (wax, topcoats, etc)! 20 pct off other paints and specialty finishes, including Wood Icing, Artisan Enhancements, Oxidizing Paints, gilding waxes!


 

All Pretties for Decorating! 20 pct off Efex appliques, stencils and stencil tools, decor, wall art, and more!

All Furniture for Furnishing! If we painted it or not! All furniture, 45 pct off marked price!

All Gifts for Gifting! Stock up on jewelry, magnets, greeting cards, pillboxes, napkins, olive oil, candles, diffusers and more! 35 pct off!

All Tools for Crafting! Brushes and sundries! 20 pct off but certain items may be excluded that are currently at minimum price! But our unbranded paint, stencil and wax brushes are included.

All Workshops for Learning! 25 pct off any workshops booked and date confirmed now by you.


Custom Work for Booking! 25 pct off our normal hourly price when you book us for custom work in the New Year. 50 pct down required based on our estimate.

Any Junk for Junkers! 50 pct off our "junk" meaning architectural salvage, game pieces, word cards, old windows, blocks, letters, bits and pieces!

Project Packs for Painting! Extra $5 off these awesome boxes (normally $80, now $75 during offer) which includes two sample paints, two sample waxes, one small Annie Sloan paint brush, soap and brush comb!
Holiday Items for Storing! Get ready for Christmas 2017 with 65 pct off all holiday ornaments and decor!

Open Workshop Wednesdays! NO hourly fee for those who book ahead for December 28 and January 4! You pay only our 12 days of Christmas cost for materials! Limited space available. Learn a technique, get help with a project!

Whew! That's it! I guess everything is on sale, plus refreshments on us! Come have some fun and help us clean out the shop for a 2017 renovation!




Wednesday, November 2, 2016

November Newsletter Featuring New Colors, New Fabrics!

New Colors & New Fabrics!

All three new Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan colors are now fully stocked at TLC Vintage Collection. If you already have a color chart, ask us for stickers of the actual painted colors to ad to your color card.

Amsterdam Green – Annie’s explanation: “This strong, deep green takes inspiration from the painted shutters and doors of Amsterdam. It works particularly well with whites and creams and botanical imagery and plants, as well as looking brilliant with earthy yellows and reds – try teaming it with Primer Red, Arles and Old Ochre. It’s also makes a great backdrop to cool blues, such as Provence, Giverny and the purple tones of Emile.”
Our spin on Amsterdam Green – is that it is a deep, rich forest moss green and perfect for the coming holiday season!


Honfleur – Annie’s explanation: “Named after the harbour town in Normandy, Honfleur is a colour inspired by the rich warm browns found in the rustic French countryside as well as in Mid-century Modern design. This rich brown is just what you need to work with bright colours: it looks great next to Scandinavian Pink, Barcelona Orange, Giverny, Provence, Greek Blue and Antibes Green. It can also look elegant and classical when paired with pastel Louis Blue or pretty Antoinette.”
Our spin on Honfleur – A luscious light milk chocolate brown that is what many have waited for! Darken it up with Chalk Paint® Dark Soft Wax for an even more deep brown.


Giverny – Annie’s explanation: “Giverny is a bright, cheery, clean, cool blue in the Annie Sloan palette. It is near the greener range of blues, without any red in it. It is a perfect colour for a modern contemporary palette, and looks great with bright, warm colours (such as Barcelona Orange and Scandinavian Pink) and cool neutrals (such as Paloma) as well as greens from the Annie Sloan range. Giverny is named after the village in Northern France where Claude Monet lived and this brilliant blue was especially popular in early 20th Century interiors.”
Our spin on Giverny – A more brilliant blue with an intensity that we have not had in our color palette before.


Annie’s New Fabrics – “Each of the 10 fabrics features two Chalk Paint® colours with the weft and warp woven together to produce a complementary and contrasting effect. The fabrics are a linen and cotton union, making them suitable for all upholstery projects, and have been tumbled to give them an ultra soft texture.”
53.9 inches wide, 55 pct linen/45 pct cotton. Limited quantities in store. Bigger lengths can be special ordered at no up-charge. The French Linen & Old White combo is $52 per yard and the others are $56 per yard. We will also sell by the inch.

AUBUSSON & PROVENCE 


EMILE & GRAPHITE


NAPOLEONIC BLUE & BARCELONA ORANGE


ENGLISH YELLOW & ANTIBES GREEN


COCO & DUCK EGG BLUE


EMPEROR’S SILK & FLORENCE


SCANDINAVIAN PINK & PROVENCE


FRENCH LINEN & OLD WHITE


LOUIS BLUE & GRAPHITE


OLD WHITE & OLD VIOLET


 

Introducing New “Make & Take” Workshops

Today TLC Vintage Collection is thrilled to introduce our new series of “Make & Take” workshops. What is Make & Take? More fun and creative ways to learn paint and product techniques. Instead of working just on practice boards, in each class you will create one or more pieces of home décor. Plus, during dry times, we will find time to cover and practice other techniques in the same product line or combo of products. Sounds great? There’s more. We have done a thorough research of materials for these workshops and have lowered prices accordingly. We will continue to offer some technique only workshops that are very popular – Chalk Paint 101 and Kitchen Cabinets. But we think you will find the new workshops are a great way to get out with friends and create something beautiful! See end of this newsletter for our revised and upcoming workshops!

Tips of the Month

How to Match Paint to Existing Decor: Bring your samples – swatches of fabrics, curtains, pillows or even granite or other counter top samples – to TLC Vintage Collection. With our swatches of 35 colors mixed with each other 50-50, we can find a color combo close to what you want to match or complement. While we do not mix colors for you, you can purchase quarts or mini pots to make your own custom colors. This is because our paints have clean pigments – no extra black added. So our combos will always be crisp and reflect exactly the combo of the two or more colors!


How to Correct Bleed-throughs of Underlying Stains or Tannins: A water-based paint can awaken stains and tannins of underlying wood or finishes. As soon as you notice splotchy brown or pink bleeds, stop and let your Chalk Paint® dry. Next cover areas or entire piece with a thin coat or two of Zinsser Bull’s Eye Clear Liquid Shellac (available at TLC Vintage). Once dry, you can easily paint your piece with no further problem!
Save The Date

Junk Jubilee Jingles – November 11-13:  Next week! TLC Vintage is teaming up again with Oak Hill Emporium owned by William Holcomb for a quadruple space brimful of huge salvage wood wall clocks, painted furniture, DIY products, holiday décor and vintage and antique items. Our Holiday Vintology is a charming intro to the holidays. See you there! Varied Industries Building, State Fairgrounds, Booth 85.


Custom Painting

TLC Vintage does custom painting in our own workshop. We can only handle one piece at a time. But if our schedule doesn’t work with yours, we have numerous customers who do custom painting and will be happy to refer you to any of them to meet your timeframe. Contact us for our rates and estimates. If you know someone looking for work to be done, please give them our contact information.


Workshop Schedule Through April 2017

TECHNIQUE WORKSHOPS

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® 101 Plus!
Seven popular paint techniques plus clear & colored wax methods! $85 in advance. All the info you need for successful projects! Everything provided plus refreshments.
Noon to 3 pm, Saturdays:    Nov 5        Dec 3          Jan 7          Feb 4             Mar 1          Apr 1


Chalk Paint® Kitchen Cabinets & Built-Ins! Renew dated cabinets economically. Step by step, hands on planning and execution. You create your own prototype and style. $65 in advance. Everything provided plus refreshments.
Noon to 3-4 pm, Saturdays:            Jan 21               Mar 11   


Introduction to Milk Paint
A variety of applications for the use of Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint. Wax distress, layering, staining and more! $65 in advance.      Noon to 3 pm, Saturday,
Apr 15

Open Studio – Every Wednesday 10 am to 3 pm
This is not a formal class but your opportunity to work with us on an individual project or technnique. Book in advance to be sure there is room. Stay as long as you need up to 3 pm. $20 per hour plus retail cost of products you use.


ALL NEW - MAKE & TAKE SERIES!

Each workshop below includes a décor piece or two for your home or for a gift. Plus a variety of products & techniques taught during dry time.

Chalk Paint® Stenciling & Fabric Painting
Several stenciling methods plus painting on fabric and upholstery. $65 in advance. Everything provided, including  apron or tote project, plus refreshments.
Noon to 3 pm, Saturdays:      Jan 14           Mar 25

Chalk Paint® for Trays and Wall Decor
Create a serving tray and a piece of wall decor using decoupage, image transfer and crackle. $75 in advance.  Everything provided plus refreshments.
Noon to 3 pm, Saturday, Jan 28

The Chair Affair!
Paint and simple drop-in seat chair re-upholster clinic. Bring in a chair from home or let us know and we will provide one for you. We will use drop cloth for fabric unless you bring your own. $65  in advance and provide photo of chair for approval.  Refreshments provided.
Noon to 2:30 pm, Saturday,  Feb 11



Rust & Patina – Wall Art
Choose a five letter word in advance for us to order the supplies. FAITH or PEACE is popular. Or initials of  family members or five-letter family name. Learn five different techniques for iron, bronze and copper rust and patina finishes. $65 in advance.
Noon to 3 pm, Saturdays:          Feb 18




Wood Icing Memory Box & Wall Art
Ice wood like you ice a cake. Texture paste to add dimension to any surface! No one else is offering this product or class in Iowa. Two projects to take home. $75 in advance
Noon to 3-4 pm, Saturdays:     Feb 25


Ceiling Tin Wall Art – JOY, LOVE or NOEL
Back by popular demand, holiday magic with decoupage, stencil, crackle and gilding wax. $65 in advance, all materials and refreshments included.
Noon to 3-4 pm, Saturdays:          Nov 18                 Nov 25



Easter Cross Wall Art
Back by popular demand – create an rustic Easter cross using your choice of paint and distressing techniques. Bring a brooch or other personal object for center of cross. $50 in advance.         Noon to 2 pm, Saturday,   Mar 18


Chalk Paint® for Outdoor Paint Projects
Embellished terra cotta pot, using Fine Stone and other techniques. Beachy finishes and barnwood techniques. $50 in advance incudes materials. Noon to 3 pm, Saturday, Apr 8


Girls Night Out! Wine, Cheese, Paint Therapy!
Put together a group and spend 3 hours in the studio painting! Organize your group. Book it for $360 minimum for your group up to 8 people. Upcharges depending on materials. You bring the wine, we provide the cheese and paint!

Cancellation and No-show Policy: If you are ill or weather prevents travel, you may reschedule to another date within six months. If your plans change, we need a two-week notice before the class date if you want to be rescheduled. Under two week,s there is no refund but if your spot is filled we will allow you to reschedule, otherwise your fee is forfeited.  Check website for schedule changes. www.tlcvintagecollection.com


 





TLC Vintage Collection 7518 Hickman Road
Windsor Heights (Des Moines) IA 50324
Telephone: 515-276-1577 (shop)
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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Kind of Obsessed -- Getting Down & Dirty

I look around my little shop TLC Vintage Collection here in its Des Moines location in Central Iowa and I am feeling great about all the wonderful hard-to-find products we have put together for customers. But lately, I've become a little obsessed with crossing brand lines and seeing what combinations of things work well. So we are experimenting so our customers can see different looks can be achieved.

It is also a couple short weeks until Junk Jubilee Jingles -- that awesome twice a year event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. So we have lots of things we want to prepare and take along. JJJ is all about picking and rust and repurposing. While TLC's bent is more towards vintage furniture and decor that can be blended into today's homes, we do like things to look used and take pride of place in homes when we get finished with them. So enter your classic drum table!


Someone had already painted over the leather top, long before we found this piece. And the handle faked me out -- until I started working on it, I thought there was a drawer there. Wrong! So how to make this solid, yet battered little piece stand out?


After cleaning the piece with soap and water and a quick rinse, I was ready to go! I also removed the handle and filled the holes, using Wood Icing Texture Paste as a filler. Love it -- it dries and then you sand it smooth....once painted you never know there were holes there.


I wanted to dress up that table apron to look carved, so I pulled this border piece from our Efex display. Efex are latex, pliable appliques that can be added to furniture, decor and frames to embelish them to give a carved look. I find them more versatile than wood appliques because they work well with curved or uneven surfaces -- like here where we can curve it around the table. Just apply some Dap Contact Cement (yes, we carry that too!) to both the table and the back of the applique. Let the adhesive tack up for a minute or two, then press into place. I kept working my fingers around the table applying pressure until I was sure all the edges were sticking well. On flat surfaces, I just set a couple heavy books on top until the cement has dried.

We are going with a winter whites and neutrals for our JJJ booth this year, I mixed up the palest of pale greys with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan, using Pure White with an ever so small amount of Graphite. Then I applied two coats. Hint: I like to place my piece upside down on my work table and paint everything I see that way first! It helps you avoid missing spots that are hard to see, once you finally turn the piece upright to complete the process. 


The paint covers the Efex beautifully. The top still needed something, so we took a large lace doily stencil from Royal Design Studio -- another of our product lines -- and centered it on the top. We wanted to give the stencil a similar coloring to the table but with more sheen. So I chose to use Pearl Plaster by Artisan Enhancements for my stenciling medium. I tamped it on with a stencil brush like normal and it gave this pearlescent sheen to the design. It looks a darker grey here but in person, it is a sublte shiny almost matching color.


I also lightly brushed, almost dry brushed the Pearl Plaster over the Efex trim and pediment to highlight it. But everything was looking a bit too pristine and new. What's a girl to do? As I got ready to wax the piece with Chalk Paint Clear Soft Wax, I thought I might try Coda Artisan's Aging Dust to dirty up the piece. When clients ask us what this product is, we joke that they should be careful not to get it on themselves -- who needs to age faster! But honestly this product works great to make carved frames have that dusty look in the crevices that you get with old pieces. Well, if it works in crevices, why not all over? And....we were loving it!


So as quickly as we applied the clear wax and wiped away the excess, we sprinkled Aging Dust over the piece as we worked. We did this over a sheet of clean paper, then brushed off the excess with a clean brush, saving it for later use. And no -- we didn't stop with our "carved" apron, we did it on the top and base as well!


What I specially love about Aging Dust is that when it has dried into the wax and you buff it up, it helps give a wonderful worn sheen.



In the end, we loved this so much that we immediately had to do another piece! So here is a French Provincial side table with the same paint and finish! 


So I guess my message is, don't let great product go to waste. Feel bold and mix and match products across brand lines! Experimentation yields beautiful, creative results!





Thursday, October 13, 2016

Roadside Find to Romantic Timeless Lighting

When my 2009 Ford Ranger rolls out in the morning, it seems to have its own navigation system. For some reason, Old Grey takes a turn at every garage sale sign peppering the streets on the way to the shop. That's what happened two weeks ago, when having drifted by a garage sale (not of interest, only kids clothing), Old Grey rounded a corner to head to the shop. There on the curb was the rubble of a rehab job -- lots of broken dry wall, bits and pieces of wood and on the far side a cardboard box with the top of a light fixture poking out the top. Old Grey immediately braked, allowing me to hop out and inspect. And there it was -- one of those "can-I-be-this-lucky" moments. And yes, it was!


Feeling downright guilty, I put the box in the truck bed and off I went to the store. Closer inspection showed a Greek yoghurt container full of original crystals!


And the best part, when I tested the lighting, all six light armatures worked! Can't get better than that! So I did a quick light brushing of Old White Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan. I dry brushed over the textured parts so the brass showed through.



I suspended the chandelier over my work bench, and used 28 gauge brass wire to string faux pearls from various points. Next I cleaned and rehung the crystals, replacing a few missing ones from my crystal stash and drilling holes in the brass to add a few where none hung before.


I also dug into my supply of vintage watch faces in two sizes to add to the Timeless theme. Six were hung from the lowest pearl strands.

















The final touch on this piece will be to make a ruched sleeve of lace to cloth the wire and chain. I love working on these old chandeliers and giving them a fresh yet vintage look. And we find this one, ultimately Timeless.