Sep 2212 min read

Products for DIYers, Furniture Artists, Creative Arts and Crafters

Try Woodubend and Posh Chalk Products:

During this time of year, many of us are busy crafting and making as many items as we can for the upcoming holiday season and for the final quarter of the year for those who own small businesses. The pressure is on, especially in a year marked by high inflation. We are driven to engage in do-it-yourself projects and create products that are relevant to our customers. For those of us who have turned our creativity into a small business, we are constantly seeking new products to integrate into our creative endeavors. Therefore, for the purpose of shameless self-promotion, I would like to present to you some products available on my website. These products have been in stock for some time, but I have not yet highlighted them to everyone.

If you are not familiar with Woodubend moldings and trims or Posh Chalk products, now is your opportunity to discover them.

If you have no interest in discovering Woodubend or Posh Chalk products like decoupage rice papers, stencils, and other items, feel free to scroll down to this month's Freebie section to get the Fall template for free.

I would like to present these products to you as I have been associated with Solly Jo Lewis's Woodubend company since its inception as a stockist in 2019, and later with her sister company Posh Chalk products in 2020. Solly, a small woman-owned company, is a pioneer in introducing innovative products to the market. The company serves as an international distributor for these products, operating out of England where Solly Jo is based.

Woodubend is an ideal product for furniture artists and crafters. While I don't paint furniture for sale, I enjoy incorporating it into my personal furniture projects. By using Woodubend moldings and trims, you can completely transform the look of a furniture piece. These moldings and trims are also excellent for craft projects. Consider attaching them to outdoor pots, vintage picture frames, mirrors, and let your creativity flow freely. Woodubend can be adhered to almost any surface using high-quality wood glue. I have even utilized them in my own art endeavors, such as adding them to wooden cradled painting panels and enhancing antique picture frames obtained from estate sales.

Woodubend moldings and trims are decorative wooden moldings with a unique feature. They possess all the characteristics of wood when cool, allowing for sanding, staining, drilling, or painting, just like regular wood. Essentially, anything you can do with wood, you can do with Woodubend. By heating up the Woodubend molding or trim, you can bend, stretch, or cut them to suit your project using a knife. These moldings can be attached to almost any surface using a good quality wood glue. Woodubend offers a wide variety of designs, including trims, scrolls, and centerpieces. Made from wood fibers and are pressed into molds to create intricate patterns. Woodubend retains the properties of wood in its cold state due to its unique production process. The Freebie section includes a How-to Guide for using Woodubend, requiring only glue, molds or trims, and a heat gun or hair dryer, plus an X-acto knife or scissors and some sand paper to get started. Simply add your preferred paint to begin creating. If necessary, you can pre-paint the molds and trims, and in case of any broken pieces, heat and glue them back together. One of the remarkable aspects of Woodubend is that if a piece is wrongly positioned, you can heat it and gently work a putty knife underneath to adjust it. If excess glue is present where you do not want it, a bit of sanding may be required on the project piece. Reheat the mold or trim, apply glue, and reposition it as needed.

There isn't a big learning curve to use Woodubend, just a little practice and you're all set. If you need inspiration or want to see how to use Woodubend, Solly Jo, the creator of Woodubend has tons or videos to watch on YouTube and Facebook. Here's a video where Sollly Jo introduced the properties of Woodubend.

You can purchase Woodubend molds and trims on my website.

Moreover, I also provide items from Posh Chalk, a company affiliated with Woodubend. Solly Jo has developed a wide array of products under this label, such as a selection of stencils ideal for projects of any scale. These stencils are versatile and can be utilized on furniture, crafts, wall decorations, and various other applications.

The decoupage papers are crafted from rice paper, offering a wide selection of designs. They are available in A-1 size, measuring around 23.4 x 33.1" or 594 x 841 mm, as well as A-3 size for smaller projects.

The dimensions are 11.7 x 16.5" or 297 x 420 mm. I won't delve into all the products, but they include Posh Chalk patinas and aqua patinas, one being oil-based and the other water-based. There are metallic pastes and pigments (my personal favorite) that you can mix with Posh Chalk Pigment Infusor. The color pigments are known as Color Kicks. Additionally, there are crackling pastes, wax extenders, Precious Diamond Dust, and flexible paste, along with Paste Lubricant to enhance your paste products. Among the latest products are Athenian Plaster, Glass Plaster, and crack paste, which can add texture to any project. Texture is currently a popular trend in artwork and craft items. Some of these products are on order and will arrive soon. Also, consider the brushes and mini trowels suitable for furniture, walls, or artwork. There is a particularly excellent stencil brush available.

There is a wide array of videos on YouTube and Facebook showcasing various Posh Chalk products. Check them out to explore fresh ideas and techniques for your DIY projects and other pursuits. Many of these products can be found on my website, where the newest items will be available soon. For international shipping inquiries, you can visit the Woodubend website to locate nearby stockists and save on shipping costs. Feel free to browse through the amazing products offered by Woodubend and Posh Chalk, many of which are exclusive to the market. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. As Solly Jo frequently says, "Let's get bendy."

Visit the Freebie section to access the Woodubend how-to guide. You can find it below in the Freebie section, along with a complimentary Fall drawing template. Feel free to download and print it out to trace onto a wooden fence board to place near your door, or onto a canvas or serving tray. You could also reduce it to place on an invitation for a party. You can also use it as an adult coloring sheet if you wish. I hope you find it enjoyable. Lastly, explore the Tips/Books section and check out this month's demo, then take a look at the "What I have been Working On" section. It's quite thought-provoking and may inspire you.

Freebie/Drawing Template:

This month's freebies are a Woodubend 'How to Guide and the other is a drawing you can use. Feel free to use it for your Fall fair decorations that you sell. Enlarge it and use it on a welcome sign board beside your front door or put it on a canvas or a serving tray. You can leave the jack-o-lantern face out if you want it to last all Fall. I intentionally left the signs blank so you can make it personal. Hope you enjoy them both.

Video/Demo:

A Woodubend and Posh Chalk demo to inspire you.

Supplies you will need:

Keep in mind it's just a demo. Use the paint and colors you like. I used the things I had on hand. If you saw my reel I posted on Facebook last week on how to remove a Woodubend mould from a project, you will see that I actually used the same book and Woodubend mouldings but changed the positions of the moulds on the book. So don't worry if you position something wrong when using them.

An old hardcover book

Woodubend mouldings of your choice for cover and spine of book if you wish to cover the spine

Wood glue no PVA glues use Woodubend glue. I didn't have any Woodubend Glue on hand so I used Gorilla Wood Glue clear

heat gun or hair dryer

Nova Color black gesso

Dixie Belle Caviar Chalk Mineral Paint one coat if using the black gesso, two probably if using a white gesso.

Splatter paint is Golden titanium white mixed with a tiny amount of Golden High Flow indigo (Anthraquinone)

Posh Chalk pigment Orange Gold mixed with Posh Chalk Pigment Infusor

Dixie Belle evergreen Chalk Mineral Paint for repainting the mouldings

Sheet of scrapbook paper from Michael's for decoupaging. Use a decoupage paper or what ever paper you wish if you want to decoupage before placing your mouldings unto the book. I used gel gloss matte medium to adhere my paper to the book because it is a heavy paper. You can use flat medium if you're using a rice paper or tissue paper decoupage. You could just stencil for added contrast instead of decoupaging.

Dixie Belle clear coat

DIY Black wax

Steps:

Paint the book with gesso. Mine looks rough because I removed the moulding as I mentioned above I did sand it and gave it two coats of gesso. It all works out in the end. Let dry between the layers.

Apply your base coat of paint. I used Dixie Belle caviar Mineral Paint. One coat because of the black gesso.

Decoupage time. I used a piece of scrapbooking paper I have had forever. I cut them out with a small pair of scissors. This is how I chose to decoupage the paper by cutting it into pieces, you do yours however you want. As I said in the supply list I used a gloss matte gel because it works well with heavier papers, you can use a flat matte medium if you prefer. Remember to add a coat of medium to the top of the decoupage paper to seal it. Let dry completely. (Note because I cut out my flowers separately I figured out my placement then took a picture so I had a reference for when I glued them down.)

(Ignore the reflection, it's from the gloss medium.)

Now is the time to add splatter if you wish. I used Golden titanium white just a small amount mixed with a couple of drops of Golden

fluid indigo (Anthraquinone). Its a very deep deep blue.

I thinned the mixture to soupy texture using Golden Airbrush Medium, but you can use water. I used an old round brush and tapping it against the handle of another brush to get the splatter and little lines. You can use an old toothbrush if you prefer. Let dry.

While you're waiting for the splatter to dry lets paint the mouldings. I used Dixie Belle evergreen Chalk Mineral Paint. One coat. Let them dry. If your mouldings are new you may need two coats of paint.

We are going to add the mouldings. Heat on the backside of moulding to not burn your paint. Add glue with an old brush or knife be sure to cover the entire back of the mould. Reheat mould if its cooled to much. Place onto book and hold in place for a couple of seconds. If you have excess glue wipe off with a baby wipe or paper towel before it dries. Let this mould dry. (Note I let the first mould dry so it would not shift when I applied the other mould to the spine. You could open the book and apply both moulds but I couldn't work the spine this way. I stood the book on its end. I did place a folded newspaper between the spine cover and the book binding to give the spine some support while gluing. Then just heat the moulding apply the glue and position it on the spine. I did put some paint jars on each side to support the book and some jars on the top of mould to make sure the mould was connecting with the spine while its was drying. Its kind of a tricky area because the spine just wraps the book and is not connected to the book other than by its covers.

Heat mould and apply glue. If mould no longer bends heat for a couple of seconds and position on cover of book.

Use a rag, Q-Tip, or baby wipe to remove any excess glue.

Stand book and place a folded newspaper an old ruler, something to give the spine a little support to do your moulding. Let both mouldings dry.

Moving along, we are going to mix the Posh Chalk orange gold pigment with the Posh Chalk Infusor. Mix only a little at a time starting with the pigment first and adding the Infusor to it. A little goes a very long way. I brushed across the raised areas with a small brush giving it a look of slowly wearing off gold (no precise brush marks).

Let both dry. Then seal the book with sealer but not the mouldings. Just push your brush up against the mouldings. I did one coat. Let dry. The last step I did was the DIY Black wax. I covered the moulding and the book. I immediately removed the black wax from the mouldings and let the wax dry on the book cover.

Once dry I buffed it. This step is optional. I did it to push the flower back and I love the smooth feel wax give the book cover.

This is the finished product. You can use this as a decor piece in a bookcase or make it into an altered book. You could also buy a hard cover art journal and do the cover of the book this way and give it as a gift. What a beautiful cover this would make for an art journal, writing journal, even a date calendar.

Hope this gave you some creative ideas.

Tips/Books:

I have learned from tutorials that recommend using the largest brushes suitable for the size of your painting canvas. For instance, for a 5x7" canvas, a size 6-8 brush is ideal for creating shapes, while a 4-6 brush is better for detailing. There are several benefits to using larger brushes in acrylic painting. They require fewer strokes, allowing you to cover more canvas in less time. Additionally, using larger brushes encourages more deliberate strokes compared to smaller brushes. Simplifying your approach is crucial in painting, and using larger brushes facilitates this process. Furthermore, larger brushes encourage thinking in terms of the overall composition rather than getting caught up in small details. Have you ever tried limiting the number of brush strokes allowed in a painting exercise? This will also facilitate in painting looser brushstrokes. Try completing an 8x8" canvas using only 8-10 brushstrokes. It can be hard but it will help you look for large shapes within your painting. Remember you're not worrying about details just getting in the shapes that make up your painting. This approach shifts the focus away from details. Remember, the size of your brushes should correspond to the size of your canvas, so consider investing in larger brushes if needed. If you are accustomed to using small brushes, it might be time to transition to larger ones. Lastly, a helpful tip is to dampen your brush before dipping it into the paint to improve paint flow. Of course how you want to paint is in the end up to you. It never hurts to try something new. Give it a try and see if tips work for you.

What I'm Working On:

Devoting a significant amount of time to exploring new techniques in my artwork has been a rewarding journey. Throughout the process, I've experienced both successes and failures, each serving as valuable lessons. Being deeply passionate about creativity inherently means embracing a lifelong commitment to learning. It involves not only studying the world and individuals around us but also delving into self-discovery. The most challenging lessons often revolve around understanding who we are as individuals and as artists. As we age, we hope to have more moments of enlightenment, where we perceive things in a new light, leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the ability to conquer our fears.

Our observations of people, nature, places, and objects are the fuel for our creative endeavors, serving as a wellspring of inspiration. By reflecting on these observations and our reactions to them, we can unravel aspects of our identity. Some individuals may overlook the importance of introspection regarding their responses to external stimuli. Do we appreciate or disdain what we observe? Are our emotions shaping our perceptions of people, nature, places, or objects?

For many of us, our reactions to these observations shape our thought processes and creative output. When faced with creative blocks, could our current mindset be distorting our perceptions? For instance, if we encounter a beautiful woman or a breathtaking natural scene but harbor negative attitudes, are we truly appreciating the beauty before us, or are we clouding our potential for inspiration?

Understanding ourselves plays a crucial role in this dynamic. How well do we comprehend our emotions and thought patterns? It's plausible that our emotional states and cognitive processes influence our observations and creative endeavors. Therefore, when seeking inspiration as a creative individual, it's essential to evaluate how our emotions and thoughts may impact our perceptions.

Perhaps this is where journaling becomes indispensable. Regardless of the format—be it a junk journal, a Bible journal, or an art journal—jotting down thoughts can be a powerful tool. While I've attempted various forms of journaling in the past, I've struggled to maintain the practice consistently. It appears that I have yet to discover the most suitable journaling method for myself. Currently, my closest approximation to journaling is conducting studies on watercolor paper.

Despite feeling on the cusp of a breakthrough in my artistic process all summer, I've been unable to break through a creative barrier. Although I continue to explore unconventional approaches, my artistry feels stagnant. Nonetheless, I refuse to give up; perseverance is key. After expressing these thoughts, I've come to realize the necessity of reassessing my emotional and thought processes. This realization marks the beginning of my autumn journey.

Returning to basics, such as capturing overlooked details in my surroundings and observing people, places, and objects through a childlike lens, may pave the way for a creative breakthrough. By closely examining ordinary elements, I aim to rejuvenate my artistic vision. I encourage you to also reflect on your thought processes and emotional state; perhaps you, too, will discover newfound inspiration.

New on my Website:

I'm steadily working on uploading my artwork and products to my website. I still have an order of Woodubend and Posh Chalk products coming in that I will also be adding to my website. Don't forget to have a look at my greeting cards for the little original paintings that are inserted into the cards. It's a cute little gift for a friend or teacher. My website is done now and I'm really happy with how it has turned out. Please have a peak. Happy creating.

Woodubend Petite Braid Trim WUBTR 708

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