Introducing Some New #LocallyAustin Artists Featured at Our Shop

After a busy Spring and equally busy Summer, we’ve been delighted to take on some new local artists. If you’re not familiar with our Shop & Studio location, we feature many lovely gifts and finds for the home and lifestyle. Over 80% of what we offer is local to our region in Texas— whether locally-sourced vintage or made new from talented artists and makers! We’ve GOT to support our artist and maker community… as creators ourselves, we live and breath the importance of that and hope to pass that appreciation on to you!

Here are some of our newest artists to join our ranks:

Lisa Chow Art

Hailing from Houston, Lisa creates whimsically-geometric prints and originals with pastels, soft shapes, and glitter. Lisa works with watercolor as the main base and then adds on other mediums, for a ‘minimal yet maximal’ effect.

Amanda Love- Love Studio Ceramics

Amanda Love focuses on ‘micro-batch’ handmade goods for whimsy and everyday use, living here in Austin. While Amanda also creates goods like mugs, plates, and serving bowls, she also creates fabulous air-plant holders (pictured above), which we mainly feature right now! Look forward to even more goods from Love Studio soon!

Clif’s Woodworks

Clif Hisel, of San Antonio, takes each piece of salvaged wood that he finds with care— he only works with woods ethically sourced from natural falls or necessary cuts due to damage (ie; he doesn’t cut down trees for his craft). From there he creates one-of-a-kind bowls, from woods such as Black Jack Oak, Pecan, Mesquite, and even Pistachio! Wow, look at that grain…

Audrey Jahanian- Little Green Press

Little Green Press is Audrey Jahanian, located here in Austin! Audrey creates lovely prints from watercolors that are full of depth. She focuses on using only compostable and recyclable materials for her processes, which focus on mainly printmaking but also include bookbinding, mural work, and drawing. We feature a selection of her botanical and constellation prints in-store.

And there you have it. This doesn’t nearly cover the artists we already have been featuring, so please visit us for the full scope! xo

Gifting Season Guide: Winter 2018

As far as we’re concerned, ‘gifting season’ generally encompasses Fall-Winter, with many different holidays and other cultural celebrations going on during this time. Another thing about this season… it often means travelling and spending time with loved ones in their homes, and it can be customary to bring a little thoughtful gift along now and then to such gatherings, especially if it’s the first season spent in a new home (truly housewarming).

It’s true that gifting should always be with the recipient in mind and never a selfish act! Focusing on unique, locally made, eco-friendly, and experiential gifts, here’s our Silk and Sage Design 2018 Gift Guide, with various price ranges for all budgets:

$5 and Under

A Thoughtful, Hand-Written Card With Fun Imagery and/or Original Artwork.

This is a classic that never gets old. The act of sending cards has waxed and waned through the years, but it’s definitely on the upswing in our opinion. Even for the smallest budget, sending your loved ones a genuinely thoughtful message (especially if you haven’t seen them in a while) is uplifting. And if they love the artwork they can frame the card!

Check out our locally-made ATX cards in-store from Beth and a Brush, Stationery Bakery, and Sharabella Fini, ranging from $4-$5 each including an envelope for each!

$10-$20

Zinc Heart & Arrow Measuring Spoon Sets.

Practical style in the kitchen is timeless. This set of measuring spoons available in-store has your typical 1/4 tsp - 1 tbsp. increments… but in the shapes of hearts (we just can’t get over them)! And you can untie their little leather strap to separate each spoon out if you’d like. They’re classier than your basic IKEA measuring spoon sets at $18 per set. Bonus idea: write down a favorite recipe and include it with the spoon set, or snag a yummy box of cake or spiced bread mix to give with the spoon set as a gift that you can bake together.

Rifle Paper Notepads and Weekly Calendar Pads.

Who doesn’t love organization that actually works and is low-commitment? Rifle Paper notepads, grocery list pads (with a magnet for your fridge!), and weekly calendar pads can be used whenever someone wants, however they want. Various lovely designs available in-store! Notepad styles range from $10-$13.

$20-$40

Candles Are Always Winners.

Candles are perfect for many reasons. They are consumable and experiential, thus making them loved and used with delight (most people we know almost savor their candles in small doses forever until they’re burnt through). We’re all about sustainable and nontoxic candle making methods too.

Explore scents from our candles-with-a-cause local Hello George Candles that supports Austin Pets Alive!, and candles in hand-thrown reusable ceramic vessels by Hey Moon Ceramics at our Shop & Studio. Both feature soy wax, lead-free wicks, and scents that are natural and/or essential oil derived ranging from $24-$38 a piece.

Design Book(s).

Pinterest is great and all, but what’s even nicer is to have a curated selection of inspiration bound right in front of you. Design books double as coffee table look books and well-loved idea generators. We’ve got great titles in-store, from Bohemian Modern to Creative Family Home, many books with step-by-step DIY painting projects, and price ranges from $20-$38.

Hammered Copper Bowls.

Our XL hammered copper bowls are large enough to be used as tabletop centerpiece vessels, or huge serving bowls for your dinner party gatherings. Each are 14.25” in diameter and $28. They are well loved gifts and are back by popular demand… snag one (or a couple) at our Shop & Studio as giftables while they last!

A Well-Made Mug.

We have a lovely selection of mugs for coffee and tea this season, many of which actually fit into cupholders and of course also fit well in the hand. Visit us for our complete current selection including works by Spako Clay, with price ranges from $24-$36 each. Bonus gift idea: add a tea ball or infuser, and/or a tea or coffee you know your giftee will love!

$50-$85

Captivating Throw Blankets.

For those with boho-chic, relaxed, and traveler vibes, throw blankets are an easy and timeless gift. We opt for ones that have been hand made, upcycled, sustainable, and made with care and compensation for the makers. Use them on the couch, on the bed, or take them to outdoor events (like picnics, concerts). Explore our one-of-a-kind kantha quilts, indigo, and mudcloth textiles in-store, ranging from $70-$80 each.

Image courtesy of Carla Aston’s blog to show the possibilities!

*Limited Edition Chalk Paint®  by Annie Sloan Charleston Collection Color Boxed Sets.

A brand new arrival! These could be quite perfect for the painters in your life that seem to have just about everything. The new collaboration with Charleston Trust reveals 3 new colors: Firle (a chartreuse-y green yellow), Rodmell (an eggplant-y purple), and Tilton (a rich golden yellow). Each boxed set comes with a Project Pot of one of the new Chalk Paint® colors plus 2 Project Pots of colors that are complementary to it on the color wheel, plus a small pot of Clear Wax and an inspiration booklet! So cute yet sophisticated, for $48.95 per boxed set.

$85-$150

Chalk Paint® Mini Project Pack.

This is a gift that’s perfect for DIY and upcycling beginners. The Project Pack comes with 2 small Pots of Chalk Paint®  Decorative Paint (you choose the colors) and Soft Waxes (Clear and Dark Brown), and a small Natural Bristle Brush. Bonus gift idea: add on a Small Wax Brush and/or an Annie Sloan design book that we feature in-store. Ranges $84.95-$149.95 for the different options.

Our Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint Starter Kit

We decided to create an unofficial starter kit for MMSMP, to make it easy for those who are just getting started with or trying to gift some Milk Paint. Everything you need is in this kit, and we feature the Basic Kit plus one with a Wax Brush option. Ranges $98-$122 for different options.

$150+

Original Fine Artwork.

Are you close to your giftee and know their taste? Have they been eyeing a certain artist? What about local, original fine artwork? Check out our featured works from Arielle Austin (many of which are still under $150) in-store for mixed and layered abstract paintings and prints.

A Gift Certificate to a DIY Decorative Painting Class.

Set any amount and we will create a cute gift certificate for your giftee. Then they have the freedom to choose the level, date & time, and type of class to learn new DIY painting and technique skills— with Chalk Paint® , Milk Paint, crackle techniques, distressed techniques, metallics, and much more.

>> BONUS: Stocking Stuffers at Various Amounts! <<

• FOLK Botanicals Essential Aromatherapy Mists in Coastal, Purify, and Wildwood- $18 ea. (locally made in small batches with dreamy botanical blends)

• Spako Clay Turquoise Heart-Shaped Mini Dishes with 24k Gold- $28 ea. (locally hand-crafted, limited edition!)

• Pear-Wood Spreaders, Cheese Knives, and Pastry Knives by Cooper & Claire- $17-25 ea. (locally hand-crafted, each is unique from urban salvaged wood)

And these are just the tip of the iceberg. We hope your season is cozy, and full of love with truly memorable experiences. Visit us at the Shop & Studio to explore and contact us to purchase any of our wonderful giftables listed above (ask about our shipping options). #shoplocalaustin <3

How to Paint Your Front Door with Farrow & Ball®

We were joined last week by Ben McCabe from Farrow & Ball® for two free demo sessions on how to paint your front door, which was helpful for not only door projects but also for any projects in which someone might use F&B exterior-grade paints. In case you missed it, we have a little recap for you! The luscious color featured on our large door and smaller demo sample doors is Vardo, in case you want to replicate the look. 

First off, why work with Farrow & Ball® paints? F&B has been around since the 1940s and is well known in the design and home-improvement community for their durability and eco-friendly paint properties, as well as for their fabulous colors and sheen levels. Their paints have more pigment and paint solids in their recipes so more solid coating and color is left behind once the paint dries, which is best for longevity and wear. Also their paints are water-based containing no acrylic or latex. 

For exterior projects we always go with their exterior-grade paints, which are the Exterior Eggshell (20% sheen), Exterior Masonry (2% sheen), and Full Gloss (95% sheen)... and Exterior Eggshell and Full Gloss are for those exterior metal and wood projects. For wear and longevity we also always follow their recommended primer + paint process. We choose the correct primer for the job (please visit our F&B Primer Guide Page) and add one coat, then apply 2 coats of the correct paint for the job. This will ensure the paint adheres correctly and stays true to color, per their warranty on exterior-grade paints.

Here are some great tips specific to painting doors with the paint:

• Always make sure to thoroughly stir the paint up from the bottom before using-- do not machine-shake the paint cans like you would with other brands of paint at the hardware store. Machine shaking is too vigorous for the paint and pigments and may result in an uneven appearance.
• If you can take your door off the hinges and bring inside to work, that's great! But that's not always possible. If you can't, tarp and tape around the walls and floor to protect from paint splatter. While paint dries you may also hang a plastic sheet in front of the door to protect from pollen and debris (do not wrap the door though of course).
• If working during hot times of the year, work during the cooler parts of the day for ease and maximum paint and primer performance. If humid, you may need to extend dry times to wait until the next day for the next paint coat, especially for Full Gloss.
• Normal recoat time for primer is 2 hours, and normal recoat times for exterior grade paints are 4 hours (extend for humidity).
• Use the right tools! For paneled doors like we worked on in the demos, use smaller brushes for the panel frames, then medium brushes for the flat panel fronts and the trim around them. Use rollers for longer continuous parts of the trim or for flat doors.
• We recommend starting on the panel frames, then working toward the flat panel fronts. After those are completed, we recommend doing all horizontal parts of trim (not including the very bottom panel of the door), then doing the vertical trim in small pieces in the center of the door. Next we recommend painting one of the long trim pieces on the side of the door, then the very bottom horizontal piece, then the remaining vertical side trim piece. *Piecing out a paneled door into smaller sections ensures you don't disturb places that are a little tacky and drying, and also help ensure even visible sheen especially on Full Gloss. 
• For flat doors just keep a wet edge, working from one side to the next using the proper roller.
• F&B paints are self leveling, wow! But we always love to 'lay off' the paint in a continuous stroke per section. We do this with the proper sized brush for that section which doesn't have much paint added to it (it's okay if there's some leftover paint in the brush from earlier strokes, just not newly added paint).
• If you mess up or leave a weird texture, or something gets in your paint, just let it dry properly per recoat time. Gently sand out whatever is undesirable, then paint back over the section that it's in for a paneled door... for flat doors, if it's tiny you may try to do a tiny spot-treat, however it's most likely you'll need to do another coat after sanding it out. 
• No topcoats needed over the paint when working with F&B exterior-grade paints.
• Always clean and prep your door before painting over it with F&B paints. Clean off gunk and let thoroughly dry. For pre-existing doors, no need to strip off the finish. If painting over an old gloss, make sure to just sand down the gloss a bit (before cleaning so you can wipe off everything at once). For new wood doors make sure to give a scuff sand with 150 grit sandpaper, even if the door feels smooth to you!

Stop by our Shop & Studio for color samples, demos, tips, and more!

What are Chalk Paint® Waxes and How to Apply Clear Wax

Have you worked with Chalk Paint® waxes? Waxing is a crucial step to finishing your work and creating a durable surface to seal the decorative paint. We're constantly perfecting our technique, and because we know there are many questions (as well as misconceptions) about it, we're off to task to share our tips with you! Feel free to also pop on over to our Chalk Paint® FAQs page.

The waxes come in four types: Clear, Dark (brown), White, and Black. They can be protective AND decorative at the same time. Waxes:

• are completely non-toxic when dried and cured, and even suited for 'child-safe' applications. 
• should be at a slightly-melted crisco or butter-at-room-temp texture (sit in a sunny window or warm environment if they feel a bit firm to work with).
• fill the pores of a surface painted with Chalk Paint® decorative paint and cure to leave behind a hard surface that has bonded to the paint.
• in the case of Clear and White Waxes, are applied directly to the painted surface.
• in the case of the Dark and Black waxes, are applied over a wiped-back layer of Clear Wax (so you can control their depth)- the exception to the rule can be over Graphite since it's such a dark color to begin with.
• can be mixed together to create mid-tones like beige and grey.
• can be tinted with a drop of paint for an extra pop, if you need an exciting green or pink wax for example.
• can be layered up to 2-3 coats total for extra durability for heavy-traffic surfaces like cabinets and dining table tops (wiping back thoroughly and waiting 24-48 in between coats).
• dry within 24-48 hours for each coat, however need to be gently-used until they finish curing.
• cure and reach full hardness within a period of 2-4 weeks, depending on how many coats have been applied and humidity (again, gently use your surface depending on its usage- you can probably put your dishes back inside your cabinets, however that kitchen table will need to wait a bit longer to be ready for your dinner party!).
• are water-resistant.
• are interior-grade only.
• once fully dried and cured provide a brilliantly durable surface, which is easily maintained by wiping food spills, dirt, and dust away with a damp cloth or mild soap and water at most- we've also gotten crayon, marker, sharpie, highlighter, and other stubborn marks off by cleaning with more wax, which pulls it right up and out of the surface.
• are as durable as polycrylic-type topcoats when applied correctly and let to fully cure before heavy use. 
• can be buffed to a soft satin sheen, or left relatively matte in finish. 

Using wax brushes to apply all waxes ensures we don't apply too much or unevenly, and also prevents as much wasting of wax as possible. Here are some in-depth video demos of a preferred technique that works for most surfaces:

Part 1: Using Your Wax Brush to Apply Clear Wax

Part 2: Wiping Your Excess Wax Back, Finishing Up

And here's a concise recap of the waxing process to conclude:

Remember, patience is key when allowing topcoats to fully dry and cure during a DIY process. When you buy new furniture, topcoats have been allowed to fully cure before being put on a sales floor. We do have other topcoats with the same durability for different finish sheens (such as semigloss), for exterior projects, and others that might cure a tad bit sooner for heavy-traffic areas (ex; if you work with wax for your coffee table just keep in mind that you need time to let it cure). For all topcoats on tables we do recommend using placemats, coasters, etc. anyway to protect the finish as long as possible (nothing is completely iron-clad y'all). However we do say 'trust the wax!' because you can't beat it over hand-painted finishes, and can easily spot repair it if unexpected damages do occur. 

Before & After: 'Persimmon' + Greek Blue Cabinet

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For us furniture and interior painters, we know that projects often go in 'inspiration stages,' during which choosing the color can be the hardest part! We had a little boxy cabinet that was hanging around the studio just waiting to be painted, that we knew should have a pop of color and texture. We were a little stuck... until we remembered a piece that we had been previously been inspired by, by Leslie Stocker. Using Chalk Paint® decorative paint in Greek Blue, Barcelona Orange and Emperor's Silk blended together, and Old White accents, we created a finish that we absolutely LOVE! The idea was to combine opposite colors from the color wheel for a distinct look (such a great design technique for you to explore on future projects).

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As usual, we cleaned the piece down first. Then we base-coated with Greek Blue, applying it thickly and essentially glopping it on for texture with our medium no. 12 Natural Round Brush. This brush helps create anything from barely-there texture to thick hills and valleys! We also waited for some paint to dry for 10-15 minutes and then brushed back and forth over it to pull up even more texture, and then let dry. We wanted the texture to hide some of the water damage to the varnish on the very top.

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Barcelona Orange and Emperor's Silk were applied next simultaneously with two different brushes, blending together on the surface while wet. The more texture and visible layering, the better! We let some of the Greek Blue show through still in corners and strategic spots, and once the 'Persimmon' tone dried, some Old White was dry brushed over raised edges for accents. The goal was a look of an aged color patina. We even painted right over the hardware!

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Then the distressing happened in a natural manner on edges and raised areas that might have aged with the piece if it was truly old (see our previous blog on tips for distressing). We went a bit heavier in areas right along the front and near the handle. Both 100-grit sandpaper and dampened edge of scrubbing sponge were used. And then we applied Chalk Paint® Clear Wax to finish. 

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We're delighted with the results and might replicate them in our own home! For now though this little piece packs a punch, and is at the shop waiting for its new home. Stop by to see it in person!

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