Tutorials

New Pop-Up ESCAPE ROOM on Facebook – DIY DECOR

COME LEARN SOME STUFF Since I mentor furniture flippers, accumulating staging props to use in photos for listings can be a big issue. So I like to help with every area of the flipping process to help members save money and increase profits. We can make our own decor and save $ – our bottom line isn’t only affected by the profit we make on a piece of furniture, but also on our expenses. So, the more staging decor we acquire easily and cheaply, the better.   NEW POP-UP GROUP ON FACEBOOK THE ESCAPE ROOM – DIY Staging Decor is open and ready for you. You can click the  name and it will take you there so you can sign up and reserve your spot. It’s going to be fun! I’m busily working on projects to share with you. It starts September 28, but you can join in on the … Read more

Tips to Save Your Paint Brushes from Dying

Yes, I said, “dying,” not “drying.” But it’s pretty much the same, isn’t it? But maybe not… I’ve been painting for many years, so I’ve run into issues with brushes. Paint getting into the ferrule, hairs falling out and drying in the paint, dust, globs, contamination, paint drying in the brush. You name it, I’ve experienced it. But fortunately I learn from my mistakes and can share solutions with you. In my Random Furniture Flipping Tips Video Series, I have a few that might be helpful to you. Here’s #74 & 87 from that series. I’m working on a bonus for my Blueprint members where I’m posting all of my brush reviews and tips for September’s bonus and ran across these tips thinking they might help you as you paint your decor and furniture. Have you joined FFB yet? Enrollment is closing soon, so, don’t wait. My tips videos are … Read more

My Double Flipped Dresser

Occasionally I will buy a piece that another furniture artist has listed that they couldn’t sell. They will put it up for sale super cheap. 90% of the time there is something wrong with it like water damage or messed up drawers that they didn’t address in their redesign. Those things will discourage buyers and then they get  stuck with a piece that they put effort into that doesn’t sell. Most hate keeping pieces around and will give up and get rid of it to cut their losses. I watch for that scenario and if the piece is solid, just not up to par, I’ll grab it. This happened with this piece. I bought it for $40 on Marketplace. There were some details that hurt its saleability, but it had good hardware and was a brand that said, “quality”.   The BEFORE: Looks good, right? So why was it for … Read more

Create Your Own Flexible Appliques

I’ve talked about creating your own appliques using paper clay and hot glue. Today I wil show you a fairly new product that will give you the same type of applique as the most used, paper clay, but without the cracking and lack of flexibility. It’s quite pricey compared to other products, but if you are wanting to create your own appliques that are flexible, this is a great solution. Here’s a link to buy Form Flex Compound. I’ve not found it on Amazon yet, but one ay hope to carry it in my shop: Furniture Flipping Market. Recently my FFB members and I tried it it out and found it to be a very good product.   Form Flex Compound is used much the same way as the paper clay.   Step #1 – Lightly dust the mould with cornstarch and remove the extra before adding the Form Flex … Read more

Celebrating New Life with a $10 Kids Art Course!

Every once in a while I’ll throw out a crazy offer… My special deals usually have to do with a special event or time of year, and sometimes I just offer a great deal on a whim. I’m inviting you to enjoy the blessing of my newest grandson with me, Henry. He had a tough road but now is here and we are CELEBRATING! So to include you in this glorious event, I’m offering my Creative Kids Furniture Art Course for just $10. I know. It’s crazy, but I’m feeling elated over our newest family milestone. You have the opportunity to own a new course for yourself, your kids (or grandkids) at a super low price.   HOW? Go to the page, Creative Kids Furniture Art, where you can find out all about it. The CODE to get it for just $10 (reg. $37) is HENRY. A cute name, no? … Read more

Outdoor Paint Projects Can Be Tricky

Have you ever painted an outdoor project? Did it last? I’ve done it a few times and have discovered a great product that has held up well. Every couple of years I reapply the poly to my hand-painted picnic table and have been happy to see that my painted design has held fast and still looks great. You can find Polytique It Exterior TopCoat @ Furniture Flipping Market. On Instagram you can find lots of my tips – I post them occasionally to help you with the little things that make a big difference. I would have never occurred to me that I would have to seal every inch if I’d not been told to do so by the manufacturer. It was kind of like a “duh” moment when I heard the tip. Of course I should seal it all…I just hadn’t thought of it. Get art from Mystik River … Read more

Master Bedroom Headboard is Finally Done!

It’s only been about 3 years… This one gave us a run for our money. It was either sell it or disassemble it to get it up to our room. I couldn’t bear to sell it. I’d waited over 3 years to redesign it for our master, so I wasn’t going to give up so easily. It took me a long time to set aside time to do it because when I redo something of my own, I want to enjoy it. I didn’t want to rush through it because I had pressing matters calling for my attention, but I wanted to have a big bed so I can enjoy it with my partner. Plus, I even got a vibrator wand for when the bed is ready. And hey, if you’re considering upgrading, you may also want to consider these upholstered queen bed frames. So I decided to let DH … Read more

Problem Solved – No More Fuzzies in My Topcoat!

CHALLENGE #1 My first really big challenge years ago was applying poly to give me a smooth even look. When light reflects on a piece, we want it to look consistent without drag. Drag is when the poly dries before you come back over for the next strip of poly and you see stripes because you “dragged over” the poly when it had already started to dry. It took me about 2 weeks to figure it out after searching for the answer and then it was smooth sailing from that point on. That two weeks I went to sleep thinking about it and woke up thinking about it. I’m like that. I HAVE to figure it out. I now use a damp sponge or sponge brush to apply and use a product that is easy to work with. I now carry it in my online store, Furniture Flipping Market. I … Read more

A Headboard Redesign w/ Brushes Overview

Do you ever get a chance to paint for yourself? I try to, but it’s kinda like the “Cobbler’s children have no shoes,” for most furniture flippers. This headboard has sat around waiting for me for about 3 or 4 years. It’s massive. And now, it’s almost ready for my master suite. Here’s the “before”. Here are steps 1-3:   STEP #1  Repair & Clean We couldn’t get it up the two flights of stairs because it was too tall and ceilings got in the way. So DH had to cut off the end pieces and reassemble them. He used L brackets so they can easily be taken apart in the future. Hats off to him for repairing it so well and figuring out the best way to take it apart and put it back together. STEP #2  Prime with STIX. STIX isn’t a regular primer that covers stains or … Read more

Bun Feet Alternative – TIP!

A while ago I told you about our new kitchen table and how I redesigned it. To see the before and after of the table go here: Can Furniture Become a Piece of Art? The table was too short to fit well with the chairs we already had, so we were constantly having to sit a little sideways to be comfortable. I had plans to fix the height but was too stubborn to pay the long price for bun feet. I looked in woodworking shops, on Amazon etc. but they were so expensive! I finally found something that worked, so I’m sharing a tip with you today based on my experience. Go to garage sales! To add a few inches, be cut down feet from another piece of furniture and DH attached them. I originally was going to paint the added pieces to match the table legs but once they … Read more

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