A Pearl to Celebrate A Pearl Anniversary

What a moment to have an anniversary but some light needs to shine bright in even these crazy times.

So let's celebrate the thirty years since Annie Sloan released Chalk Paint™ on a market that didn't even know it needed it at the time! But these days we can't imagine a life without it! What a fabulous gift to the decorative paint market.

Hand on heart - I have always only used Annie's paints to do my work because there was no way I could get what I want from anything else as easily as I do and without risk to my well being!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!

Annie has chosen to mark this date with the release of her Pearlescent Glaze. a wickedly fun and versatile addition to her stable of colours.

So let's see what we can do with our new toy.

Work on a very stylish piece using Pearlescent Glaze
Images thanks to Annie Sloan

Pearlescent Glaze gives your work a gorgeous lustrous finish. Experiment with the colours you have in your stash to discover how it influences the finish. It does work best painted over lighter colours such as Old White as the lovely lustre seems so much stronger than on the darker colours. You can apply it over a coat of lacquer to protect your detail work  too.

A blob of Pearlescent Glaze to be going on with!

But .................

Try adding the glaze to a spot of Chalk Paint™ and watch what happens! It makes a wonderful oyster shell like lustre that gently shimmer as it catches the light. And suddenly you have an infinite colour range too! 

Once your project is finished, a coat of lacquer over the top will ensure it is nicely protected from wear and tear.

Here's a little video of what the fuss is all about!

I am still unable to supply my gorgeous customers as we have chosen to follow the Government guidlines and shut our shop door so I am really sorry for that. But you can always get what you need from ANNIE SLOAN in the meantime. But I will be back as soon as I can

Happy painting and hope you are enjoying this lovely sunny Sunday!

x Jane

Getting Hold of Paint

Are you going bonkers at home desperately finding things to paint and then not having the right colour ahhhhhhhhh an anguished cry.

A shot of one of my workshop on colour mixing at Sheldon

So two options
Put all your stash of paint on the kitchen table and experiment with what cool colours you can make by mixing two or three together. They combine beautifully and you can refer to the colour chart for combo mixes. Remember Annie designed it to resemble the colour wheel with red at the top and yellow and blue at the bottom of the triangle.

Your primary colours (from which all colours can be made) Reds and yellows together to get your own shades of orange. Reds and blues together  make lots of gorgeous lilacy colours and blues and yellows together - well wicked greens suddenly appear.
                                   

If you are lucky enough to already possess Colour Recipes then I refer you to that for hours and hours of fun playing with colour. If not I recommend popping over to the online stores and buying it!

Or
Dilute your paint with water to make a gorgeous dye for a spot of tie dye for your tired old T shirts!

Getting more adventurous? You can explore using Chalk Paint™ to develop patterns on fabric - free hand painting, stencilled patterns or experiment with folding the fabric.

Annie's oak leaf stencil applied on a curtain

A shot of my Dyeing with Chalk Paint™ workshop at Sheldon

I would love to see your work on my Instagram, Facebook page or here so do share!

Have fun in lockdown - the time will wizz by 

Bye for now and happy painting

X Jane

Please Remember ............

Lockdown Projects - Laminate Kitchens

Did you know that you can totally revamp your kitchen yourself just for the cost of the materials? Save ££££££££££s and paint yourself out of this lockdown!

Here is a nice little vid where you can see Annie in action to show you just how easy it is for you to do. And the best part - its quick too (the painting I mean not the vid!)

  See Annie at work on a demo for a laminate kitchen door

So,
# you have painted the walls with Annie's roughty toughty Wall Paint
# you have made a glorious splash back behind the cooker by painting you own design on the back of sheet of toughened glass ( so you haven't done this yet, you don't know how! I hear your cry. Well, I will be covering this on a future blog so rescue is at hand)
# you are looking at the kitchen cabinet doors and wondering ...........

Go for it.
All you need is a decent paintbrush ( I always use Annie's round ones of course!) a pot of Chalk Paint™ and a pot of Finishing Wax™ or Lacquer™

Take off the knobs, the doors can probably stay on their hinges if you don't have a screwdriver handy.
Clean down the doors to remove any residual grease and dirt. You can use diluted washing up liquid for this and then wipe down with a clean cloth.
Then just paint, perhaps two coats of Chalk Paint, careful to cover the whole surface.
Allow to dry
And this bit is very important  - protect with 2 coats of Annie Sloan Lacquer to give a secure and protected surface.
Of course, please don't use abrasive or heavy duty cleaners on the doors after. A good wipe down with a damp cloth should be ample.

Now, if you are the more adventurous type there is nothing to stop you developing this plan and using two tones of colour, or a textured finish or even a painted pattern on some if not all of the doors. Have a look on Pinterest to get some inspiration. Here is a link to my page so pop over and have a look - but do come back!

 Multi layered painting

Or even a spot of layered stencilling! 

Image courtesy of Annie Sloan

Unlike many other paints, Annie's paint penetrates the surface rather than just sticking to it and this is one of the things that gives it it's great cover anything capacity.

Sadly, I am unable to sell any paint or product just now due to the crazy time we are in but you can always zoom over to Annie's website and place an order there.

Happy painting

 X Jane
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Cheery News Launching April 2nd

Today I can blog about something fun in these difficult times. A bit of bling on our grey days.

Some might say bad timing but I say bring it on so we can all have something fun to do to pass the time away.
Introducing Annie Sloan's latest edition to her colour stable........................

PEARLESCENT GLAZE

I, for one, am longing to get my hands on it but I have to wait for my delivery. Yes, even stockists have to learn patience! It's big day is Thursday, just two sleeps away.

In the meantime, I can show you two cool ideas of what you can do with this magic emulsion.

So
Take 4 empty wine bottles ( guess what had to happen to get those!) a brush, some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ some Annie Sloan Pearlescent Glaze™ and a spot of Annie Sloan Clear Lacquer™  - that's all you need to make these cool candlesticks!

Method
Paint the entire outside of your wine bottle with the colour of your choice. Once dry, cover with a coat of Pearlescent Glaze and enjoy what happens when you play the light on it.
For an even cooler effect you can experiment with different colour base coats and even adding a tad of Chalk Paint to the Pearlescent Glaze to give it an intense lustre.
So many luscious colour effects  that make a playful addition to these long  days - see how cute.

On a more serious note - Technical bla bla

Available in tins of 250ml. Each tin will cover approximately 6m², coverage is 24m² per litre depending on surface and application.

For detailed work apply Chalk Paint® Lacquer over Chalk Paint® before applying Pearlescent Glaze. This ensures that the entire piece of furniture is protected. Alternatively, use Chalk Paint® Wax after applying Pearlescent Glaze details, but please note this will dull the opalescence of finish.

Drying time is approximately 2 hours depending on conditions. Pearlescent Glaze is not suitable for outdoor use.

Let me share this gorgeous chest of drawers that has been painted with Pearlescent Glaze over Chalk Paint to imitate a beautiful inlay finish. Don't you just love it?

This wonderful piece was designed and created by Dominique Malarcarne - congratulations it's super


For more info and how to apply the glaze go to Annie's website and you will find a whole fact sheet to get you going.

So that was the good news . The bad news is that you have to wait til Thursday that's April 2nd to place your order! but here is the link to do so 
I am so sorry you can't pop into Sheldon Paint and chat with me about this exciting new toy, but we have had to close the shop temporarily as you know :(   So no more sales from me for the time being. I wish I could be there so we could play with it together but hey ho self isolation means we are all at our own kitchen tables working away in solitary confinement.

Do let me know what you are up to on the painting front. I am still active on our Facebook and Instagram page so keep in touch.

A Changing World

My goodness, the world is changing fast. My wish is that once we are through this current madness and out in the calm of the other side, at least some of us have sat back and thought about what we are really doing on this planet of ours.

A huge sorry to all my precious customer/friends who have not been able to get paint supplies for project they are now bursting to do because time has made itself a plenty. You can order on line from Annie's online store and still get it delivered. But not sure for how long more they will be able to do this - guidelines allowing. And to those whose commission work I was unable to complete, I thank you for your patience too and will be back painting just as soon as we are allowed.

I love sharing what I have learned over the many years that I have been chucking a paint brush around! I love igniting that spark of creativity in folk who left painting behind in school. I love painting crazy patterns on inanimate objects to give them a voice to sing with.

So once I get back to my little space, I am going to concentrate on two things in my work.
1. Spreading the word to as many people as I can so they can enjoy spending more time reconnecting with their own creativity. Teaching them new techniques to make their living space a true pleasure to live in. Open the range of workshops and courses that we offer between us alll

2. Focussing on creating a range of painted furniture that I have really had fun designing.Maybe it will find it's new home in someone's house or maybe it will choose to live with me forever and clutter up my children's' houses when I'm gone! I think it will find it's new home though one way or another.
Who knows!

In my studio I am surrounded by a group of creatives, each working their own field in their own space. Often crossing over with each other to collaborate on a project.. Who would have thought that our little artisan group would become so successful. But it has.

We  are made up of an amazingly resourceful picture framer who seems to have made framing absolutely anything a personal challenge, the most meticulous and patient upholsterer who sits at her bench wizzing up fab designs for soft furnishings, a surrealist photographer whose work combines reality with imagination in a wicked way, a group of incredible painters who all live locally and exhibit their industry in the gallery, and me! The Arts and Crafts movement moves again in little old Hampton Hill. Who would have thought it.

Bye for now though and keep safe, happy and most of all AT HOME

Jane

See - Waxing really does work!

So here is what a water spillage looks like on my little side table painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ then protected with Annie Sloan Finishing Wax™ Just wipe it off and the surface is good to go again.
What a result!

Spring Workshops

Workshop dates for the next few months

Sunday April 19th SheCan Home Improvements Workshop just for Ladies - sorry full!
Sunday May 10th SheCan Home Improvements Workshop just for Ladies - enrolling now

Friday April 27th An Introduction to the Annie Sloan Method with Chalk Paint™  - enrolling now

Saturday April 28th Annie Sloan Techniques for Colour and Style - enrolling now

No more dates are being scheduled at the mo. We will be giving priority to anyone already signed up and unable to attend due to Covid. More info as news comes through

Launch of Annie's super improved Lacquer

Now we stock Annie Sloan lacquer in both Matt and Gloss finish.
This new formula means using the lacquer outside or in areas where there is a lot of sunshine becomes even easier.

Want to watch a great video on how to use the lacquer as shown by Annie herself?
Well, here you go.

Here is some more info straight from Annie's website

SheCan DIY workshops just for ladies. Dates August 11th, September 22nd and October 20th

Once a month on a Sunday sees our SheCan Training Days where you can learn the tricks of the trade for your basic DIY work

Matt who developed this course in Brighton with great success has extended his course base to London and chosen us at Sheldon as its base. Adrien is your workshop leader here.

We are thrilled about this and are sure that folk will find it super useful to save time and money in their home maintenance. The feedback we have had has been amazing.

You can read all that the course offers on the SheCan website  but let me give you an outline of what to expect here.

Hanging pictures and mirrors. Putting up shelves. 

Carpentry skills, the tools and materials to repair and make things in wood. 

Decorating, sanding, filling, priming, painting, varnishing. 

How to use hand and power tools. 

Finding and fixing plumbing leaks, understanding your heating system. 

Tricks of the trade, safety, product advice, and preferred suppliers. 

Click here to see all about what we will be offering.

Do contact us if you want to join in and then get going on that home list you've been ruminating over for months!

The Soul of Sohlberg

I had the huge good fortune to be invited to the opening night of this fabulous exhibition. The Dulwich Picture Gallery really is on of our treasures. Their standing exhibition is always worth a wander but the special exhibitions, well ...................

Meet the man himself by himself. Waltar Sohlberg 

I hope you enjoy my little homage to Walter Sohlberg and maybe even feel moved to pay the gallery a visit!

Born in Oslo, Norway in 1869, Sohlberg began work in ernest in his twenties and went on to develop a strong, emotional connection with the world that surrounded him.  

The colours, the majesty of nature - all heady stuff.

In his own words .........

“I have felt [nature's] enigmatic and incomprehensible side and I have instinctively sought to know and understand it.” 

I leave you with this one 

Here is a link to the Dulwich Picture Gallery website if you would like to know more about this.

I strongly recommend a trip there and maybe, if its a beautiful day like today, a walk in Dulwich park after!

The original works of all these images are hanging in the exhibition so many thanks to the gallery for my using them here. 

But there are oh so many more to enjoy!

Edward Burne-Jones at The Tate Britain

What a great way to spend a Sunday morning. You can drive into town no hassle, park on a single yellow right behind The Tate no hassle, have a good goggle at the work on show and be back home again in time for lunch!

I recommend this show. We all know about the beautiful women with flowing hair but the other work on display is a bit of a game changer!

It's on until February 24th so there is still time ton plan a wee trip in!

This beautifully painted piano is enchanting from all angles and left me thinking about hanging my brushes up!

Here is a close up of the side panel.

Then there were the tapestries. I have a particular interest in them because of the Sheldon history. We were tapestry makers in the 17th century as it turns out! but this is spectacular and on a huge scale.

What really excited me though was the beautifully sensitive use of texture (my thing) which evokes a feeling of joy to look at. I managed to get a few close ups to really study the work at home.

This is silver leaf can you believe? He has laid it over gesso and worked and worked it so that it looks like sheets of actual metal armour laid down there. He even had someone make up a suit of armour that he could study for authenticity in his design. 

The same goes for the gold leaf work on the same piece where the gesso gives a flowing almost fabric like texture to the surface. this is set against the highly burnished gold leaf plate above.

These two little guys are close ups of two stained glass windows on display
I loved the 3D feel about the painted image. My mind has gone to glass table tops and bedside tables!

And then  there is the reflection of what has been enjoyed in the peaceful foyer afterwards.

And time to go outside again to darkening sky as the day ends on the iconic MI6 building over on the other side of the Thames Embankment

I hope you have enjoyed joining my Sunday excursion and feel as inspired as I do!

A note to end on
For Edward Burne- Jones his work represented the antidote to the crude ugliness and rampant materialism he believed was degrading modern Britain. More like this please!

Paper Making Workshop

Monday is "Paper Making Course Day" here at Sheldon!

Just contact us by email or phone 0208 614 1904

and we will make it happen for you. 

Choose a Monday that suits you, let us know and 

we will tell you if it's free. 

Simple as that!

See our Paint Workshops page for more info 

SPRING DATES FOR ANNIE SLOAN INTRO WORKSHOPS

Look at all these dates to choose from! An Introduction to the Annie Sloan Method of Painting

The Workshop Schedule

Thursday January 17th 10.00 - 13.00

Friday February 8th 10.00 - 13.00

Saturday February 16th 10.00 - 13.00

Wednesday February 20th 10.00 - 13.00

Wednesday March 13th 10.00 - 13.00

Saturday March 16th 10.00 - 13.00

As always, if these dates don't fit, we can tailor one for you on a date to suit you.

Just email or phone 0208 614 1904 to enrol or check out more info on my Workshops page here.

An Update on the Annie Sloan Trade Programme

We now have all you need for your application to become a Trade Customer of Annie Sloan Paints and Products. Drop in to us here at Sheldon and chat about it. We can fill in the form together and send it off. You don't need to be VAT registered just a working as a  professional decorator, interior designer or maker. .

In the words of Annie "As members of our Trade programme, professional decorators, interior designers and makers will now be able to purchase Annie Sloan paint and products from our national network of Stockists at a discounted price. Once we have received your application, checked, approved, and processed your details, you will receive an Annie Sloan Trade Programme Membership Card. Simply visit one of our Trade Stockists, place your order and present your Members Card. The Stockist will then deduct 20% from your total net invoice."

So go for it and apply via Annie Sloan's website click here or pop in and see us in person!

Looking forward to working together.

  

Annie Sloan Interiors' scheme to make buying paint and products even better for trade customers. We at Sheldon Paint are your local trade supplier

Christmas is A'Coming

Being an active studio and creative sort of space we aren't a tinsel town kind of a shop but that doesn't mean we don't have any brilliant ideas for Christmas!

Take our collection of Annie Sloan goodies for example  - and all at tempting seasonal prices!

Cute box of Detail Brushes
Box Sets of Limited Edition Glorious Charleston inspired colours
The book all about Charleston and what it meant for the Bloomsbury Group
Beautiful stencils for artsy flourishes
Fill a Christmas bag with your choice of paints and products.

And then there's
Fun paper and fabric lampshades helpfully supplied flat for easy wrapping! Only £10.00

Still stuck? A personalized gift voucher for the amount you choose. For our decorative technique workshops. Or for a purchase in the shop.

A really original big present might be one of my hand painted pieces of furniture.
These have a 10% discount on their original price by the way.

You had better come in and see for yourself. I bet you can find something to tick of your list!

Saltwash - What is it?

Saltwash seems to be a bit of a thing these days - so much so I have decided to stock it! That makes it play day today because my first delivery has arrived - yeah

What is it?
Put simply, Saltwash™ is a powder that is mixed with the paint to give a textured finish to your work.

• Combine it with stencilling to create a relief effect. 
• Layer it to create a worn seaside look.
• Texture it to make a vintage appearance to your furniture. 
• Plus loads of other things I am about to discover I am quite sure!

It is super easy to use and very versatile in its application. So I'm excited to try it as it seems such a natural fit with our gorgeous Chalk Paint™

From first blob to final finish!

 
First of all I will mix it with Chalk Paint™ to make a glooky consistency a bit like blancmange. Mmmm tasty! This is then applied to my work surface with a spatula and smoothed over to create just the right impasto finish.
The fun bit is that as the colour is created by the paint. I can be as creative as I want with my colour palette, sand it off and still the colour is there.

Paint it on and develop the texture. I can even put a second colour over the top to add extra depth.

Let it all dry et voila! One transformed piece of furniture. This is just one of the effects easily achieved with the paint. I love adding to my skill set like this. Why not drop by our shop if you live locally and see what I am talking about!

So finally a little festive moment with an idea for your bauble recycling this year!

Many thanks to Saltwash™ for their photography used here.