Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Vine Tables

After I finished my penny table that replaced my glass coffee table, I was wanting to replace my matching glass end tables. I decided not to make penny end tables since I was out of epoxy and that stuff is pricey. I found a matched set of mildly damaged end tables at the thrift store for five dollars each. I fixed the loose legs, sanded and primed. They are the type with a diamond shaped wood grain in the center of the table top and therefore hard to paint. I chose to use the rest of my oil rubbed bronze spray paint left over from the penny table for the tops and painted the legs in teal. I wanted to stencil a design on the top in teal as well. I bought a stencil and practiced on cardboard over and over and eventually decided I have zero talent for stenciling. It seems a little silly and I know this will sound like a humble-brag. I have an art degree and can draw and paint my own designs just fine, but I really wanted to stencil since it is supposed to be fast and easy. After some frustration, I gave up and hand painted the tables. They have an identical design so I'm only showing one of them. I had to paint the design over three times to not be transparent over such a dark color.

For any one hand painting or stenciling a design, I make this recommendation: to not do it over a spray painted background as the margin for error is very slim. If you mess up, it would be easier to touch up with regular paint, than wait for the whole thing to dry, then tape over all but the offending spot and spray to cover. I was very careful to not have to do that, but like I said, I had wanted a quick craft and this took some time. After the tables dried I coated the top in polyurethane and called it good.


 A couple weeks later I got this sweet little seventies style bedside table for ten dollars at the thrift store. I needed it hold up my printer. (since the top of our desk is apparently dedicated to holding all kinds of loose papers.) I used the same teal paint and dirtied up the surface by dry brushing on some wood stain, then varnished over the top. I use the drawers to hold printer paper and scratch paper.


 Next time: Gumball Wreaths.

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