I have always been creative, but my furniture painting started in 9th grade when I painted my plain white dresser with bright colored craft paint to give it a "Mexican" look. I'm alittle embarrassed to say that I've painted dozens of pieces since then, but the Mexican dresser still sits in my room today [I've been wanting to repaint it for years, trust me!].
Why Restored to Beautiful?
I've spent four years living in a third-world country. I was basically camping inside of a cement block house (read: no running water and a few hours of electricity with a generator at night) and any furniture was hand-made by local carpenters (read: no power tools). I would draw basic designs on scrap paper, or sometimes in the dirt, and return a few days later to pick up my furniture, always stained in the same color. Personal, yes....personality, not so much.
Furniture has to have some personality!
When I returned from overseas, my mom started telling me about how people were painting furniture and that she thought I should try it to have some income. She had purchased an antique dresser, but it didn't fit the space [always measure before you buy!] , so I bought some paint and started painting. That was the beginning of my furniture business.
I have had a booth at a local antique shop for a year, as well as done custom painting for family and friends. I love finding ugly, has-been pieces and giving them new life! And painting has been good 'therapy' for me while I've adjusted to life back on this side of the ocean.
Every brushstroke helps keep me sane while I'm away from the country and people that I love, and it's also one step closer to getting me back to the red dirt, lush green jungle and warm smiles of Africa.
Thank you for loving and purchasing my work. In some crazy way, it's helping change lives in Africa, while bringing beauty to your own home!
Why Restored to Beautiful?
I've spent four years living in a third-world country. I was basically camping inside of a cement block house (read: no running water and a few hours of electricity with a generator at night) and any furniture was hand-made by local carpenters (read: no power tools). I would draw basic designs on scrap paper, or sometimes in the dirt, and return a few days later to pick up my furniture, always stained in the same color. Personal, yes....personality, not so much.
Furniture has to have some personality!
When I returned from overseas, my mom started telling me about how people were painting furniture and that she thought I should try it to have some income. She had purchased an antique dresser, but it didn't fit the space [always measure before you buy!] , so I bought some paint and started painting. That was the beginning of my furniture business.
I have had a booth at a local antique shop for a year, as well as done custom painting for family and friends. I love finding ugly, has-been pieces and giving them new life! And painting has been good 'therapy' for me while I've adjusted to life back on this side of the ocean.
Every brushstroke helps keep me sane while I'm away from the country and people that I love, and it's also one step closer to getting me back to the red dirt, lush green jungle and warm smiles of Africa.
Thank you for loving and purchasing my work. In some crazy way, it's helping change lives in Africa, while bringing beauty to your own home!
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