KK's Korner Krafts

What is the difference between white washing , pickling , and white staining ? Each has unique characteristics and effects. Whether you're looking for a rustic, beachy vibe or a modern, sleek aesthetic, understanding these techniques will help transform furniture with style and creativity. White Washing: White washing is a popular technique that adds a subtle, weathered look to furniture. It involves applying a diluted white paint or white wash solution to the surface, allowing the underlying wood grain to show through. The result is a soft, washed-out appearance that adds charm and character to any piece. White washing is often associated with rustic, farmhouse, or coastal styles, bringing a touch of vintage elegance to furniture. a good primer on whitewashing here Pickling: Pickling, also known as liming, is a technique that lightens the natural color of wood while still allowing its grain to remain visible. It involves applying a pickling stain or a solution of white pigment to ...

Oh I see that Dixie Belle Paint Company - my favorite! - just launched a new Cottage Collection of colors. Normally I go for bold colors, but not everyone likes my work. Truth hurts! These colors are a mix of soft but not too "sweet" pastels, and are perfect for that "cottage" look - think lavendar fields, cute litte cabins on a grassy mountain side, goats & sheep, soft florals, picnics & big, floppy hats! These are available at local retailers first - find your closest retailer here:  https://dixiebellepaint.com/find-a-dixie-belle-paint-retailer/  They will be available for sale on the site in the near future. I am partial to the Cucumber Ice and my personal favorite of the new bunch: Cottage Door. The Ice is a white with a green undertone - will go great with the Ivy Green and Weeping Willow.  And the Ivy Green looks fab paired with the metallic gold here! That matte look is so striking next to the vibrant gold:    Can't wait to try something less dr...

 Have you ever come across a brilliant product for sale and found yourself exclaiming, "Why didn't I think of that?" It's a common sentiment that arises when we encounter an innovative solution or a clever invention that seems so obvious in hindsight.  This is how I feel about Scrubby Soap . Now wait, hear me out!  If you paint anything - your nails, houses, art, furniture - you know what a PITA brush, hands, and roller cleanup is. It's the worst part of being creative. If you DON'T clean, you risk ruining your expensive brushes. We all use tricks like wrapping a used brush with paint on it in plastic, sealing it and putting it in the fridge until the next day, but you still have to clean your brushes at some point or else they get all crusty. This seemingly little innocuous bar of soap is a MUST HAVE for any artist. First, it smells out of this world. If you love citrus - lemon, lime, orange - these smell to the heavens. They are simply wonderful - the perfec...

I am a very colorful person. I like a LOT of color in my life. Not crazy crazy over the top mish-mash of every rainbow color, but strategic use of it. When someone asks me what my favorite colors is, I do not have an answer. I like them all! I appeciate them all and in the right situation, love every color. From chartreuse to neon pink- they all have their place. Even beige and grey.  Colors have a remarkable ability to evoke emotions, set moods, and reflect our individuality. Yet, determining a favorite color isn't always a straightforward task. With an endless array of hues to choose from, embarking on a journey of self-discovery to find the color that resonates deeply with you. Here's what we tell clients when trying to make some color decisions:  Explore Surroundings and Reactions: Start by observing your immediate environment and paying attention to your reactions. What colors catch your eye? Which shades evoke positive emotions or feelings of calmness? Take note of the c...

 Have you ever looked at a piece of furniture and thought it could use a touch of something extra? But you do not have an artistic bone in your body? Enter furniture transfers, a creative and versatile way to transform ordinary pieces into stunning works of art. image from  Daniele Yoder Jackson What are Furniture Transfers? Furniture transfers are decorative elements that can be applied to various surfaces, such as wood, metal, or glass, to create intricate designs, patterns, or images. They are typically made of high-quality materials like vinyl or paper and come in a wide range of designs, including vintage motifs, floral patterns, typography, and more. How to Use Furniture Transfers: a. Surface Preparation: Before applying a furniture transfer, ensure that the surface is clean, smooth, and free from dust or debris. Sanding and priming the furniture may be necessary, depending on the type of surface. Prep is so important for longevity! I use White Lightning cleaner,...

Starting a new business or a side gig furniture painting can be a daunting endeavor, filled with uncertainties. However, when it comes to a painting furniture side hustle, we have a unique opportunity to conquer those fears and unlock their entrepreneurial potential. In this post, I wanted to explore how transferring those fears into motivation and embracing the brush can empower anyone to embark on an exciting journey of creativity, independence, and success. Conquering the Fear of the Unknown: Starting a painting furniture side hustle allows you to conquer your fears of the unknown. By venturing into this creative domain, you can explore uncharted territories, discover hidden talents, and cultivate a deep sense of self-discovery. Embracing the brush becomes an act of courage, as each stroke on a piece of furniture unravels the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. Who wants to be older and ill wondering, “What if…?” Tapping into Creativity and Self-Expression: Painting furn...

 Let's talk about Blended Families - families of colors, anyway. How do you take a plain piece of furniture and add DRAMA without just throwing bling on it? BLENDING. Blending is both harder than it looks and yet so easy to use to make a plain jane piece into something magnifico. Take this cabinet, for example, done by  Erin from  Erin Rochon Design . Nice piece, right? Sure. But now, adding the paint - in this case, same color family but different shades - and blend them together. WOWSA manelli!  pic from  Erin Rochon Design You can blend:  complementary colors ombre effect (various shades of one color light to dark or color to white or color to black) opposing (contrasting) colors -- this is the hardest to pull off because often you end up muddying the colors to brown (needs less actual blending and more "overlapping" or criss-crossing effect to not muddle the colors) The biggest tip is using the CLEAN big fluffy brush to blend! Clean so you don't mix the...

Memorial Day always kicks off the Summer and before you can say BOOM it seems July 4th jumps on us. So THIS lady is ready ready ready go! You all, SHE PAINTED HER CAR! Seriously, check this out, featured on the World of Chalk Paint group this week: Andrea Malueg  used Dixie Belle Paints to transformed this to this! You can see a video of it done here on a facebook reel too:  https://www.facebook.com/reel/262543489589006   So I guess you can really paint anything.  Except maybe pets.  And kids.  But someone probably already has!  Now where is my paintbrush................ 

 Michelle, a member of the World Of ChalkPaint and a painter at Cowgirlchalkdesigns on Etsy created this feast for the eyes painting the birdseye Maple with Dixie Belle Licky Lavender mixed with Mason Dixon Grey . And glazed with Van Dyke Brown . Can't stop staring at it!!  It's not staged for photos yet obviously but she did a peek-a-boo on the drawer sides, too. How cute is that? This piece is to die for! Gorgeous! NO MORE PLAIN BROWN FURNITURE FOR ME! All these great artists - and yes, they are ARTISTS - are such inspiration! 

 Was scrolling through some Facebook posts of amazing furniture artists. And they are indeed artists! There were some comments from people to the effect of, "Don't paint that! You'll ruin it!" and I had to laugh. For a time I had a job helping a woman with estate sales. They were a lot of hard work. The furniture though - that was the worst (well, other than going through someone else's things 😦). No one wanted it. The kids never wanted that "old brown furniture". Even if it was well made and would last - they'd usually rather buy from big box stores or IKEA (no offense to IKEA - love that store! but let's be real; their stuff is not made to endure decades and decades). So this UPCYCLING bespoke furniture has taken ahold. Here are my arguments against those naysayers! Upcycling allows us to breathe new life into tired pieces, unleashing their hidden potential and creating something truly unique. However, some may view this practice as "ruin...