Friday, March 14, 2014

A day in the life.......................

of a furniture painter.................




1) Search all the sites that sell furniture - 

search
sərCH/
verb
  1. 1.
    try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly.




2) Negotiate a price ( haggle ) 

ne·go·ti·ate
nəˈgōSHēˌāt/
verb
  1. 1.
    try to reach an agreement or compromise by discussion with others.





3) Maneuver your way across the city to pick it up

ma·neu·ver
məˈno͞ovər/
noun
  1. 1.
    a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care.
    "spectacular jumps and other daring maneuvers"






4) Load the piece into the van

load
lōd/
noun
  1. 1.
    a heavy or bulky thing that is being carried or is about to be carried.




5)  Maneuver your way back to your destination 

( see number 3 ) 







6)  Unload the piece

( see number 4 ) 







7)  Sand if necessary - fill if necessary - fix broken 

drawers, scrape, etc................repair repair repair

re·pair1
riˈpe(ə)r/
verb
  1. 1.
    fix or mend (a thing suffering from damage or a fault).







8)  Sanitize the entire piece - 

san·i·tize
ˈsaniˌtīz/
verb
  1. 1.
    make clean and hygienic.


|British invasion dresser - royal blue, red, white,


9) Purchase ( EXPENSIVE ) paints - waxes

pur·chase
ˈpərCHəs/
verb acquire (something) by paying for it; buy.
  1.   






10)  Paint the piece 

paint
pānt/
noun
  1. 1.
    a colored substance that is spread over a surface and dries to leave a thin decorative or protective
  2.  coating.








11)  Distress - (or antique - or color wash - or add 

graphic or stencil 2 or 3 of these techniques may be 

applied to 1 piece of furniture )


  1. dis·tress
    disˈtres/
    noun
    1. .
    2. give (furniture, leather, or clothing) simulated marks of age and wear.
      "the manner in which leather jackets are industrially distressed"



  2. 12)  Finish the piece using a substance - e.g. a sheer coating or wax - if using wax the final step is actually buffing
buff1
bəf/
verb
gerund or present participle: buffing

MY MEANING OF BUFFING

To rub a surface until your arm is ready to fall off - object

should be finished when the sweat dripping into your

eyes no longer allows you to see object.






AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST - HAVING THE EXPERIENCE AND THE KNOW HOW TO IMAGINE THAT THIS




CAN BE TRANSFORMED TO THIS



shabby chic dresser with Annie Sloan Pure White



  1. ALL TO HAVE SOMEONE CONTACT YOU & ASK - 

"CAN YOU COME DOWN IN PRICE ? - YOU ONLY 

PAINTED IT AFTER ALL "



NOT that I'm complaining ( and I'm really not - I love what I do ) 

Which is only painting ( after all ) lol


Have a wonderful weekend everyone - 
Much love,

Parties I'll be at
Remodelaholic                                   Funky Junk Interiors                      Pieced Pastimes       
Be Different Act Normal                    It's Overflowing                             Three Mango Seeds
I Should be Mopping the Floor           The Chicken Chick                         Coastal Charm
Under the Table & Dreaming      Between Naps on the Porch             Knick of Time
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia       Not Just a Housewife                     Adorned from Above
Savvy Southern Style                        The Style Sisters                           The Dedicated House
From My Front Porch to Yours         Bloom Design Online                      Common Ground
The Charm of Home                         French Country Cottage                 Redoux
Shabby Art Boutique                        Chase the Star                                My Romantic Home
The Shabby Nest                             Miss Mustard Seed                         I Heart Nap Time

51 comments:

  1. There isn't an unappealing piece in the bunch! You have such a wonderful gift Suzan, and it's worth every penny and MORE I am sure! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Laurayne - I want that halequin chest back lol........
      You have a wonderful weekend too girlfriend!
      Pretend it's Spring or something ( although they're calling for beautiful temps so maybe it won't be such a stretch of the imagination )
      XOX

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  2. Wow, you really do do amazing work, Suzan. When I look at a piece of furniture that I think should be painted I just cringe. I have painted 3 small occasional tables and they were a pain(t) in the butt to do. :) And they sure don't look like your work! I admire your hard work and I'm sure you feel a sense of accomplishment when you've completed one of these gorgeous pieces. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  3. I love how you transform these ugly pieces into something marvelous, Suzan! You truly have amazing vision to see the 'what can be...'

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  4. Those who can, do. Those who can't, buy it from those who do. No whining allowed!

    One of my favorite posts. These are all such dramatic results.

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  5. Amazing work. LIke I have always said you are the furniture whisper. You know what these pieces need to be reborn into fabulous. Loved looking at all the pieces and how you transformed them.
    Kris

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  6. I just love that ginormous buffet with all the details. My favorite piece that you have done!

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  7. I love that green one with the white top! Great work on all of them! You also "design" before painting for example, choose the layout for a pattern or graphic and choose the color or colors. I love the quote from Anne of Green Gables ♡xoxo

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  8. Wow just Wow! I love them all, but I lust for the first pictured!!! You truly have a "vision" as to what each piece needs to make it sparkle with new personality.

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  9. Gorgeous work as always Suzan, I have done the same vanity as #4, in your preferred gray and white even! Although we did this one a little differently I still say great minds think alike ;)
    Faye (MacGIRLver)

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  10. This was hysterical. You are so funny and you have summed it up beautifully. Your work is awesome.

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  11. I love all the wonderful pieces, Suzan! Anyone who hasn't done it, at least once, has no clue. Hold onto those pieces for someone who appreciates them.

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  12. These are all great transformations. I especially like your grey and white combination projects.

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  13. You have the touch to make furniture into beauties. You might just tell those cheapskates that you can't lower your prices since you are probably making something like 3.50 an hour, (most likely true anyway). So just smile and say you'll let the next interested party know it will be available.♥♫

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  14. You did a fabulous job on all of those! I like the words you chose to define each one.

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  15. I've lost track....do you have a booth somewhere or do you just do CraigsList, word of mouth, etc? Once we get this house finished, I'd love to start doing this on a more regular basis, but not sure where to start. :)

    xoxo
    -andi

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  16. I do furniture too and I have been having a lot of the same kind of people asking if I will take half the price its listed for. Which is not that much, I think I price lower then most in fact I KNOW I price lower then more. Very frustrating, cause it actually is hard work and there's more to it then people who don't or have never done it before even know. I think your furniture is beautiful and you definitely didn't "just paint it". : )

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  17. Your vision is incredible....your talent, amazing! I wish we were neighbors so I could have a couple of those in my space.

    xo
    Pat
    P.S. Just hang up on the dingbats that ask for a lower price!

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  18. Your painted furniture is so beautiful - you do such a terrific job on every piece. You know how people are, always wanting you to lower your price. Keep track of your hours X $25 or 30.00 per hour and see what you come up with. A cleaning maid here in So CA gets $20.00 an hour, can you believe that, so I am sure your customers are getting a very good price if you figure all the hours you put into it.
    Have a great weekend.
    Mary

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  19. lol Isn't that the truth? (can you come down in price...yeah, right) You've got it all in a nutshell, Suzan! Great post!
    Now to get me to Craig's place...so I can complete the first process of the day. I do tend to do things backwards...and actually right now my rec room is full of stuff waiting to be done over!
    Debbie :)

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  20. i have addressed this on home talk before .... i do not paint furniture or anything else to sell but i have tried my hand at a few things in my home and believe you me if i could afford to buy i would...it is hard ass work....waxing is a particular pain in the butt and you ain't joking about your arms falling off.... i say this all the time if you can afford to buy all the equipment... the paint the brushes the sand paper the mound of paper towels or rags AND get off your butt and do it then go for it..but do not insult the people who do this for a living xx (stepping off my box now )

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  21. I am amazed every time I see your pieces of your talent and eye. Piece in number 10 is a favorite with me. I have only painted furniture for my home and my dads home. Never sold a piece. Actually, I take that back, this little writing desk John and I made for our old living room I sold but that was to a neighbor, does that count, LOL???

    Cynthia

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  22. Wow Suzan, you have been busy, love all of your painted pieces, truly transforming and inspiring!

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  23. Some nice pieces. Well done for transforming them. They look nice when finished.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  24. Haha, they've obviously never painted a piece of furniture. Each piece looks so much better after you did your magic on them!

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  25. Oh my, I want the Anne of Green Gables piece.
    You do amazing work.
    xx oo

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  26. Oh Lordy what beautiful transformations! I want them all! I enjoyed seeing all of them prettied up! A little bling never hurt anyone/thing!

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  27. I love all of these!! What a fun post. I was sorry when it ended. :) XOXO

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  28. Well you have to give them credit for trying but, seriously I love your makeovers and can I tell you I have been doing a lot of painting recently and as much as I have always loved your before and afters I am now way more impressed by what you do, My whole body has a new found respect as I have been jumping in the shower trying to wash off paint and soothe aching muscles.

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  29. This is one of my favorite posts of yours...so much eye candy and such an important message. I hope you tell them that you can only go up.

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  30. Congrats. You are a true artist.

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  31. Everything was beautiful. Until the final statement. Ouch!

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  32. Lordy-you do beautiful work, girl. I know that but sometimes forget just how talented you really are. I am hard pressed to pick a favorite because I love something about ALL of them. You are amazing, Suzan....even if John thinks you are a tad "off".
    So...about that last piece...do ya think you could come down a bit because "after all: all you did was add a brush full of paint to the darned thing. Just asking..........xo Diana

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  33. I can sure relate to this post, I hate when people try to haggle with me on a piece that I have put so much work into. But that is nothing to the people that tried to get a bargain for the stuff that I was selling after my husbands death, when I was trying to move back to Ontario. I actually said to one guy, are you seriously trying to take advantage of me with knowing what I am going through. he paid full price. That's why I hate selling on kijiji and other sites like that, everyone wants flea markets prices. they have no idea how much work goes into these pieces. love this post Suzan, sharing it with my fellow upcyclers, and of course always a fan of your gorgeous pieces. hugs Tobey

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  34. Oh and you forgot Can You Change the Color? This is so true. I am tired but love it too! Your work is beautiful! Wish you lived near me.

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  35. Oh my gosh, girl! You are utterly amazing!!!!! I think my favorite piece you did is the buffet that's pictured under your "Paint" description. Gorrrrgeous!!!!! You sooooo rock!!!!

    xoxo laurie

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  36. All of the GLORIOUS furniture pieces LOVE!

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  37. They are all stunning! I can't believe anyone would haggle, it's so obvious the time, effort and talent you put in! Obviously these hagglers aren't artists!!
    Jenna

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    Replies
    1. Thanks SO much Jenna - to be fair most people do NOT do that - but the ones that do - bug me LOL ( unless I can really see that the price is a struggle for them but they really love it - well then - there's exceptions, right? )
      xoxo

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  38. I loved this post. What a great collection of painted furniture!

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  39. So true Susan, but you might add Artistry because you create beautiful pieces.
    Joy

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  40. HaHa! What an ending! But, let me say that I think this was a fantastic post.1) It was great to see how much goes into what you do; 2) You are so Freaking Talented!

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  41. Wow You are amazing!!! All the pieces you have redone are AWESOME!!! Please come join us for Centerpiece Wednesday Linky party and share you post with us. Centerpiece Wednesday is live tonight http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/03/centerpiece-wednesday-spring-ideas.html
    Karin

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  42. Susan, what amazing work you do on the furniture. I love the before and after pictures. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  43. Wow! Great transformations. Anne of Green Gables is one of my all time favorite books - I love her! What a great way to make the piece unique!

    Nicole

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  44. Wow! I'm going to look at vintage furniture differently now! I loved all the transformations but that white vanity with the big round mirror was my favorite!

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  45. Oh, these are fantastic! I love the British flag one.
    Sherry

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  46. Amazing, Suzan. Simply amazing. Just when I thought I had chosen a favorite I scrolled to the next one and fell in love all over again. These truly are works of art, and I'd love to have any of them in my home. I enjoyed this post very much, and I'm glad you showed so many examples of your work. Very cool. Hugs ~ Nancy

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    Replies
    1. Oh Nancy - thanks SO much !!!
      Hugs right back at ya :)
      XOXO

      Delete

Due to a large amount of spam ( that I'm tired of going back to posts and deleting ) I'll be using comment moderation from now on !!!
Can I beat these spammers at their own game? Probably not - but I'm going
to try my damnedest !!!
xoxo