Mirrors brighten & add depth to small spaces and some of these pieces have incredible detail that you’re just not going to find on most new mirrors.

This dresser mirror had been in my garage for 16 years… yes, 16 sweet years {overlooked in the shadows of treasures coming & going, just waiting to be rescued}! Below, it has been revived with a little Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan in Versailles under Old Ochre, a little light distressing to reveal the Versailles & some Annie Sloan Clear & Dark Wax.

I left the original hardware on the sides that would have held it in it’s frame allowing it to pivot, went to my local hardware store and purchased two simple iron hooks for it to rest on. Simple enough!

Since I wanted something to lighten up laundry days, I added this fun vinyl. This could also be done with an artist brush & any Chalk Paint®. And, the great thing about either option is that they can be removed allowing me to put this mirror anywhere in my home.

There were so many possibilities with this mirror, but absolutely love it in the laundry room. I think it would have been a beautiful addition to any room in our home just as a mirror or with a large vinyl or painted monogram. Maybe in one of the bathrooms over the vanity/sink. I could have easily painted the mirror with Chalk Paint® in Graphite or any other color & used it as a chalkboard. Chalk Paint® is Not chalkboard paint, but because of it’s incredible texture it takes chalk very well. Over time, any area that you write on will need to be re-painted.

Your vinyl will come with directions {follow them closely}. I always like to have on hand… Windex, paper towels, painter’s tape, my trusty level app and vinyl applicator or debit card.

Once you’ve positioned your vinyl, work out any bubbles with your vinyl applicator.

This gorgeous mirror was rescued from a storage trailer along with the dresser. I knew from the moment I saw them in all their dust & dirt glory that they would not remain together {insert the gasp from all the purists}. The dresser was scaled perfectly for me to paint the Union Jack, done in Chalk Paint® Napoleonic Blue, Pure White & Emperor’s Silk {maybe another post for another day}.

I absolutely loved how this cleaned up, so I didn’t paint the frame. But, years of being in an open storage trailer out on someone’s property in our ever humid Florida… definitely took a toll on the condition of the mirror itself {excuse my light fixture reflecting in the mirror}, so I decided to chalkboard it with Chalk Paint® in Graphite.

If you’re going to be using something as an actual chalkboard, apply three coats and Do Not wax. Remember also, you can use any of the Chalk Paint® colors to create a fabulous chalkboard!

If you’re as impatient as me, this will be the hardest part of this project… Yes, Watching the paint dry!

While I was waiting on paint to dry… I knew I wanted a fabulous monogram on it, so I headed on over to For Chic Sake to create a customized printable monogram to project onto my mirror turned chalkboard so I could chalk it. Some projects I freehand, but this one I wanted crisp &  beautiful. I wanted a statement piece.

Not only do I love Chalk Paint®… I Love Chalk! Pick up a pack of artist chalk at your local craft supply store; it’s a little more expensive, but so easy to work with & love the colors! I also use plain white chalk & a chalk holder from the local teacher’s supply store. The chalk holder is worth the small investment, as it keeps the chalk from breaking {not necessary, but worth it}.

Any time I’m going to use a colored chalk, I like to test it out on a sample board. I knew that I wanted the primary initial to be this sophisticated grey, but still tried it out on my sample before moving forward. This color reminds me of Annie Sloan’s Paris Grey. The two smaller initials are done in white, reminding me of Annie Sloan’s Pure White. For something more permanent, the monogram could have been painted using these colors.

Whenever I’m using chalk, I keep sandpaper at hand. Occassionally there will be like a little grit that will feel like a drag or scratching against your piece. Just stop & run the chalk across the sandpaper to remove the grit. I also like to use the sandpaper to create sharp edges if needed, so I can get really straight lines.

And, the finished piece… tah dah… Love it! Now this is not the dresser that was rescued with the mirror turned chalkboard, but I think they look gorgeous together!

Hope this has inspired you to go dig those forgotten mirrors out of your garage. If it has, send us photos of your Before & Afters! Of course, include the details of what you did in your transformation!

1. Your favorite Chalk Paint® Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan
2. Annie Sloan Clear Wax
3. Stencil & Stenciling Brush
4. Clean Rag
5. Burlap {I used 3 yards for my table, measure for your needs}
6. Embroidery Thread & Large Needle
7. Scissors
8. Iron & Ironing Board
9. Detergent & Bleach
10. Painter’s Tape

How I Wash Burlap…

I’ve tried a number of methods to wash burlap & really haven’t noticed any difference, so since I’m crazy impatient… I go with the Quick Wash, recommended amount/type of detergent for my washer & bleach. If there is still a chemical smell {which almost all burlap has}, I run it through another Quick Wash before drying.

If your project does’t call for paint, then add the recommended amount/type of liquid fabric softener to your wash.

Your burlap will look like this, but don’t worry it irons out easily on max setting. Some people prefer to hang dry their burlap… I prefer to dry it to help remove some of the lint.

Be sure to remove this from your lint filter!

So this is one step where “Quick” just doesn’t cut it! Slow & Steady wins the race!

Once you’ve determined the width you would like for your runner, slowly pull one thread from the burlap & then pull a second directly next to it. Remember… Slow & Steady!

If you rush, your thread will break!

Once you’ve removed both threads, you will see a “scissor trail”… Cut directly down the center of it for the perfect burlap cut! Repeat this step on the other side & ends to even them up.

Cut directly down the center of the  ”scissor trail”.

At this point, I was so excited about adding the red detail that I forgot to document the “fringe step”. Not to worry though; all you need to do is remove threads one at a time until you have your desired fringe length. Repeat this step, taking out the same number of threads on each side of your project.

Once you’re ready for detail, determine the placement & weave your needle under/over pulling the thread through.

After you’ve finished the threaded detail… It’s time for stenciling! Just place your stencil where you’re gonna love it & use a little tape to secure it. Do Not use Stencil Adhesive! I repeat… Do Not use Stencil Adhesive {said the voice from projects past}!

Load your stencil brush with a little of your favorite Chalk Paint® {I used Annie Sloan Pure White}, tap tap on a paper towel to remove any excess & tap tap in the stencil, reloading as you go to get the desired coverage {another step I did not document… where are the kids or the man when I need them to snap a photo of me “tap tapping”? lol}.

Get a little bit of Annie Sloan Clear Wax on your rag, work it in & remove any excess as you go. Don’t worry… the wax Does Not make the burlap hard; it will be just as supple as the rest of the washed burlap.

Now for the best part of this project… Add it to your space with a few of your favorite things, use it… Love it!

The width of your average burlap will yield approximately three runners… Make a couple for friends while you’re at it!

We would love to see what you make, so email us photos with all the details & you may see them posted here on the blog or our Facebook page!

These ladies came ready to paint!!!

Our next workshops are scheduled for February 23 and March 23 and they are filling up fast, so if you would like to reserve a seat, call us at 863-510-5980 or email the Black Swan Bazaar @ blackswan.bazaar@yahoo.com.

If you would like to learn about the many things you can do with  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ and Waxes, consider  attending one of our fun and informative Annie Sloan work shops. We currently have work shops scheduled for January 26, 2013, February 23, 2013 and March 23, 2013.  We begin at 9:30AM and spend the next five hours teaching you how to create five different finishes as well as how to use both dark and light wax to achieve the effects you are looking for with these amazing products. A lite lunch will be served.  We are filling up fast, so either call 863-510-5980 or email blackswan.bazaar@yahoo.com and let us know if you plan to attend.  The cost is $150.00 and that includes the work shop, lunch and all of the supplies you will need for the class. There are some photos of our last work shop below.

The great news is that we are now the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint retailer for Polk County and that is so exciting because we will be working with our friends  at Robyn Story Designs to put on a treasure hunt with will give you chances to win wonderful prizes (more on that later).  The Flea is finally coming all the way north on Kentucky Avenue, so don’t stop at the railroad tracks, keep walking north and visit our booth  which is now located in front of our shop.  You can check out all of the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ™ products as well as the art, home décor and designer jewelry in our shop.

Now, let’s get back to the Treasure Hunt.

We will be giving away four fabulous prizes:

1. A chalk paint™ workshop at Robyn Story Designs
2. A chalk paint™ workshop at the Black Swan Bazaar
3. A Fabulous Chalk Paint ™ starter kit
4. A Collection of Milk Paint Products

Here is how you give yourself a chance (or two) to win.  Stop by the Robyn Story Designs booth (#115 & 116),

fill out an entry form and drop it off at the Black Swan Bazaar booth (#255 & 256).  Stop by the Black Swan’s booth ,

fill out an entry form and drop it off at the Robyn Story Design’s booth.  You will be entered twice to win one of Four Fabulous Prizes! 

If you live in Polk County and would like to learn about the many things you can do with  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ and Waxes, you should attend our work shop on Sept 15, 2012.  There will be a continental breakfast from 8:30 – 9:00AM and we will then spend the next four hours teaching you how to create four different finishes as well as how to use both dark and light wax to achieve the effects you are looking for with these amazing products.  We only have a few seats left, so either call 863-510-5980 or email blackswan.bazaar@yahoo.com and let us know if you plan to attend.  The cost is $150.00 and that includes the continental breakfast as well as all supplies you will need for the class.