Furniture Upcycling

UPCYCLING FURNITURE - FOLK ART STYLE

For the first time at Cromarty Arts Trust, artist Maia Eden will teach a two and a half day course on how to upcycle a small peice of furniture using paint, wax and a folk art style of decorating. You'll learn:

• A brief history of furniture painting and folk art styles
• About different paints/waxes and varnishes and their applications
• Different preparation techniques for furniture painting
• To design your artwork and applying to your furniture, including how to make your own stencils
• Waxing and finishing the piece

Day 1

Preparing your piece of furniture by cleaning and using both hand and machine sanding techniques. Planning your colour scheme and design is next, guided by Maia using various techniques in drawing. No drawing skills are required. The base layer of paint will be applied and a start will be made on the design too.

Day 2

Finishing the design on your furniture.

Day 3 (half day)

Waxing or varnishing furniture.

Please note: you will be working with high quality Annie Sloan chalk paint and base colours of Athenian Black and Graphite Grey will be supplied. If you would prefer a different colour of base paint, Maia strongly recommends Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. If you do choose a different colour, Maia suggests “muted colours are best as a base colour. I would generally avoid bright primary colours as a base colour as they can change the colour of the painted design on the top.”

This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with a little experience. Maia will guide everyone to a level where they will be able to continue independently after the course.

Maia studied 3D Art and Design at the University of Brighton and has since worked in community arts, teaching and prop making. Combining multiple skills she has made a huge range of objects from gold-plated rings to an 8 metre diameter birds nest on a roof.

Maia cares deeply about the beautiful planet we live on too, which means making art with a conscience too, using recycled materials and saving things from landfill by upcycling wherever possible.

£175 includes all materials, bring your own small piece of furniture, a chair or small bedside sized chest of drawers makes a good start. Please email us a couple of photos of what you plan to upcycle, two weeks before the workshop.

To book, download the booking form here and retun it to [email protected]. If you have any problems with the form or need any guidance, please call Nicki or Gail during business hours on 01381 600354.