When people ask me what I do for a living, it's hard to fit everything I do into a simple answer. I usually just reply, "I paint furniture." People either respond with, "Oh wow! That's interesting." Or they say, "Oh wow! I wish I could do that for a living." This weekend, I was suuuuuuuuuuper busy...
Whether you are a new subscriber or you've been on board with me here at Eight Hundred since day one, it's pretty obvious that most of my furniture makeovers involve Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint. Now before I get into sharing why I love this line of paint and have given my...
Over the years, I have experimented with all sorts of products, paints, strippers, topcoats, brushes, and other materials required for furniture makeovers. I've loved some and haven't cared for others. I thought it would be nice to share the products that I use on an everyday basis. I've cleverly...
During my MMS Milk Paint demonstration yesterday down at Consign-It Furniture, there were a few folks who gathered around and asked really great questions. What product did you use to strip the top of your nightstand? How do I strip wood? What do I do first, paint or sand? Do I distress before or...
Every Monday night, I get together with two of my friends for a Bible study on money and contentment. We're on our last week and it's been incredibly applicable now that I'm running my own business and am self-employed. The principles that I'm learning are being stored away...
Last week, I spent two days working with Marian of Miss Mustard Seed in her studio up in Biglerville. If you've never been there, it's a total feast for the eyes. Inspiration is everywhere. You can't help the overwhelming urge to pick up a paint brush and get to work! My reasons for...
Last night, I had the pleasure of working with three fantastic women as I led them through a painting workshop at Morgantown Market. Each woman brought her own piece and together, we transformed them using Rust-Oleum's Chalked Paint. Because there were only three participants and...
olks, I am absolutely over the moon, thrilled to the core, can't stop smiling because I'm so excited to share my BIG announcement with you. Are you ready? Here it comes... I AM AN OFFICIAL MISS MUSTARD SEED'S MILK PAINT RETAILER!! Jump for joy with me, won't you? Oh readers, if only I could put my...
Milk paint vs. chalk paint - what's the difference? One of the most frequently asked questions that comes my way is, "What's the difference between Chalk Paint and Milk Paint?" Let me take some time to answer this common question and introduce you to the differences between these fabulous paint...
Starting a business is hard. That might be the most obvious statement ever typed, but there it is. Starting your own business is not an easy feat. It takes money, logistics, paperwork, licenses, applications, equipment, supplies, inventory, and advertising. It also takes other people. You can't do...
Recently, I had a good chat with a fellow entrepreneur. She is a seamstress and makes custom draperies and other lovely sewn goods. We got to talking about business matters and she was contemplating the idea of having a space in an antique market. It got me thinking about my own...
Over the past few days, I have received the sweetest emails and Instagram messages from folks who are following my furniture makeovers. Each one was like a little present that made me smile and feel ridiculously special. I would read through their messages and think to myself, "I can't...
My business is only a few months old and I've learned quite a bit about small business ownership during these short months of incorporation ranging from QuickBooks to wholesale accounts to tracking my mileage. Even though I'm new to the business end of things, I've been painting furniture for...
I've been refinishing and painting furniture for 4 going on 5 years. Despite all of the projects I have completed, I still haven't used every color in Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint line or Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint® line. Any chance I get to use a new color = party time in Eight Hundred Furniture...
Have you ever had one of those weekends where each day is jammed packet with activity from start to finish? This past weekend was like that. In 3 days (Friday counts), I met Tricia of The Purple Painted Lady, helped Marian of Miss Mustard Seed do a milk paint demo, and moved in to...
