Grand Launch Giveaways Part 2...

Today is the day we reveal more of the super giveaways for:

The 12 Days of Artistically Speaking
Grand Launch Hallapoloosa

Yesterday we revealed Days 1-4, giving you the details of the generous artisans and companies who are sponsoring the launch celebrations with their generous donations. Please say thank you to them when you order from the. This Grand launch Hallapoloosa would be nothing without them!

Make sure you enter the Name the AS Mascot Contest below...

The 12 Days of Artistically Speaking
Part 2

five Golden Things... $200

Golden Artist Colors has donated aprons, tube acrylics, and a Golden coffee mug to our celebration. GOLDEN Artist Colors' products are professional quality art materials that are continuously extending creative opportunities for artists and strengthening industry standards. The GOLDEN acrylic system is unique in the ways in which the materials can be used in concert and in combination, making blending and application opportunities endless. These exciting and often unexpected results feed the imaginations of artists across the globe, leading to breakthroughs in painting and art making and supporting a process of continuous discovery that then catalyzes new product development. You can subscribe to their newsletter JUST PAINT! here. Golden has their own YouTube Channel.

6-piece + Leafing Kit Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes
& $300 Modern Masters Gift Certificate

The Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes, has donated a complete Leafing kit worth $150. CIFF, Faux Finishing & Decorative Arts School, was established in 1998 by Kathy Carroll. CIFF is an online resource for all faux finishers and aspiring professionals-your one-stop shop for all things faux. They also offer virtual workshops at Learn Faux Now. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Modern Masters Inc. has donated a $300 Gift Certificate for any of their products. MM is the leader in the Decorative Painting, Faux Finishing and Theme/ Entertainment markets. By offering new and innovative products, we are recognized as the number 1 supplier of high-end decorative and specialty water base paint products in the world.

seven Swan stencils, The Mad Stencilist ($105)

SayWhat?/The Mad Stencilist your choice of a swan stencil or $15 Gift Certificate. Whether you are looking for fine art or decorative painting services with Art to Live By, hands-on workshops with Big Oak Arts Studio, or the best products on the market to make your job easier with SayWhat? or The Mad Stencilist, this is the place to come for innovation, inspiration and education. For the Discerning Artist since 1992, visit them on the web at www.bigoakarts.com the place for decorative artists and finishers.

8 pints of Milk Paint ($100 Dundean),

Dundean Studios offers 8 pints of Old Fashioned Milk Paint in choice of colors to the winner of day eight. Our milk paint is made today with the same basic ingredients used for the past hundreds of years-milk protein, lime and earth pigments. The look and feel of a surface painted today with our milk paint is no different than what was found on furniture, walls and floors in country houses in Colonial America. Dundean Studios is a world-class independent school for the instruction and supply of professional decorative, faux finish and venetian plaster located in New Jersey.


Stay tuned for days 9-12 tomorrow...

Make sure you enter the Name the AS Mascot Contest below...

Gilded Pumpkins...

Wow oh Wow...I love these gilded pumpkins...this has to be one of the greatest autumnal decorating ideas ever! Okay, I am a little carried away, but decorative painters the world over should be putting together a display for their living space.

Last fall (2008) Country Living magazine featured these beautiful photos and article about Carol Kemery, decorative painter, nurse and owner of Caromal Colours...a paint company that allows homeowners to do decorative painting on their own, including the GILDING project featured here.

for more pictures visit Country Living


How to Gild a Pumpkin with a kit from Caromal Colours

photos from Country Living magazine and Caromal Colours



Step 1
For real or faux pumpkins, be sure surface is clean and dry. Wearing gloves, apply base coat with a paintbrush to seal the surface. Let dry for 30 to 60 minutes.

Step 2
Position stickers on pumpkin, then apply "sticky size" over entire surface, including stickers. Leave until it's clear and tacky, 10 to 20 minutes.

Step 3
Apply gold and silver leaf. Broken pieces of metal leaf, called Schaibin, lie easily on the pumpkin for a beautiful finish. With a soft cloth, smooth leaf onto surface to fill in gaps. Keep excess leaf for the next project.

Step 4
Carefully pull off stickers using tweezers.

Step 5
Apply toner with a paintbrush. Using a soft cloth, wipe away the toner to achieve the desired color. Leave the toner darker around the stem or in crevices for a more dramatic effect.

for step-by-step pictures visit Country Living