Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Gesso Parade

After an extremely warm and enthusiastic response to my GESSO TUTORIAL, I seem to have started a gesso parade.  Several of my readers have already jumped in.  Honey at 2805 used gesso on an ANGEL, and Karen at Shabby Sweet Cottage made over FRAMES and CORBELS.  My tutorial has also been featured at THE CHARM OF HOME.

I would like to thank both Honey and Karen for so graciously acknowledging me and my tutorial in their posts, and to Sherry for the feature. So happy to inspire you.

Today, I wanted to share another thing about gesso. Although gesso comes in white, grey and black, you can also create your own colors with it. The color you see on these two stands are my own custom mix.


These guys were rescued by my husband at a garage sale. He paid a whopping $1.00 for the pair!


I had to glue, clamp, stabilize, and fill in imperfections. $1.00 may have been too much.

To get my custom color, I just added white gesso into a sample size container of left over oops paint.


I used black gesso as a base, and my custom blue as the topcoat. Of course I changed out the hardware, and added a little embellishment to the bottom.



You will get a gesso-like finish in the color of your choice. Some other custom colors I've achieved using gesso are...







If anyone else out there has given gesso a try, let me know. Send me a pic, or give me a heads up about your post.

I'm sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch
Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle
Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special
Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday






Under The Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase
My Repurposed Life Catch As Catch Can
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
The Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday
Beyond The Picket Fence Under $100 Linky Party
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Costal Charm
Sassy Sites Trash To Treasure Tuesday
Passionately Artistic
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29 comments:

  1. The Vintage BarnJune 21, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    I just recently found your blog and love your techniques! I've never used gesso except in school to prime canvas. Whats it like, flat finish? Have you tried the chalk paint? Seems like that sort of finish. I have some that I was going to use to prime something with but never got around to it. Maybe I'll tint it and give it a try. Nancy

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  2. UnknownJune 21, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    your gesso-painted pieces are so lovely! you really have such an eye for transforming "hopeless" pieces!

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  3. Cheryl ~ ZanyMaydJune 21, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Hi Rosemary, I Love the way these tables turned out, You sure have the Vision to know they would turn out as Beautiful as they did, or was it Hubby with the vision for purchasing them..... I just sent your link to my niece Jenny in Georgia, she took a bunch of "Stuff" back to GA with her that she took from Me while she was here in Michigan visiting... I know that is exactly the finish she is looking for, I Love that you are using a Gesso Treatment, Love It~ Keep up the Fabulous Make-overs, I am Loving it all! Have a wonderful week
    Cheryl

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  4. Comeca JonesJune 21, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    great lady!

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  5. UnknownJune 21, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    Rosemary.....the tables look amazing. I love the black base color peeking through. Nice finish.

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  6. KarenJune 21, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Beautiful Rosemary, I was just thinking about trying to tint it, it makes such a beautiful finish. Now that I've seen how beautiful it is I'm going for it. Thanks for the mention, its an honor to see my name on your blog.

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  7. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresJune 21, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    What a beautiful makeover you did on those ugly ducklings. Love your color choice and the little box and frame too.

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  8. BrandiJune 21, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Wonderful Rosemary, such a beautiful pair you created.

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  9. KindraJune 21, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    Can I go garage sale hopping with you?! Seriously, $1!!!!!! That is FANTASTIC!!!

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  10. The Sterling CherubJune 22, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    As always, nicely done! You have a very painterly, artistic way with your pieces.

    Best,

    Kimberly

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  11. Ispirato DesignJune 22, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    So gorgeous- I can't believe they were a buck- you saved them! Trying to catch up on my blog reading- looking forward to back reading a bit!

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  12. Just JaimeJune 22, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Love the details!

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  13. The Paupers CastleJune 22, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    BEAUTIFUL! Now I am on the hunt for your original gesso post! What a steal...$1.00! I am jealous of that find. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. savvycityfarmerJune 22, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    now you're giving too many secrets away ... lol


    wedding pics are up

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  15. Honey at 2805June 22, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    The tables are fabulous and what a good hubby to find them and for a $1 at that! Thanks for the mention...I've had lots of comments on the angel and see more gesso in my future!

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  16. Ivy and ElephantsJune 22, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Hi Rosemary, girl where ever do you find such great hardware? Love the pulls. Thanks so much for stopping back and leaving a comment. You are welcome on my porch anytime!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  17. Julia @ 551EastdesignJune 22, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    I absoulty LOVE your style! I'm so intrigued by this Gesso stuff...I have to try it. Thank you for your sweet comment on my desk/chair. I can't wait to see what you do next!

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  18. Julia @ 551EastdesignJune 22, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    *How embarrassing! I meant "absolutely". :)

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  19. CailinMarieJune 22, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Stopped by via the blog party and 2805. I'm a new follower, this is cool.

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  20. KathyJune 22, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Great Tip! Gesso has always been a standard go to paint for art projects, it makes a good base coat but I will have to try it on furniture. It looks a lot like the chalk paint that seems to be the rage. A little wax and I bet it would look the same for a lot less money.
    Thanks for sharing
    Kathy

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  21. lvroftiquesJune 22, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    Rosemary you have an amazing eye for transformation. I've seen many projects that really didn't "improve" the piece but you seem to know just what to do to bring out the beauty a piece "should" have. The shot with the various tones of gesso is delicious! Vanna

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  22. The Charm of HomeJune 23, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    Hi Rosemary!
    I see you are getting the same response to this gesso that I had. I have just painted a corbel and I will probably put it on Monday. I will let you know. Loved working with this stuff and it is at Walmart! Nothing hard about obtaining it. I would love to try colors. Thanks for sharing your wisdom once again at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  23. driftwoodesignJune 24, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Adore those tables.
    Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD

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  24. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    You always do such beautiful projects!! This post would be so great at my weekly blog party "from trash to treasure." I hope you'll join me!
    alchemyfineliving.com

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  25. Andrea . Charcoal and CrayonsJune 24, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Interesting! I've used gesso to prime canvases for painting, but never for painting furniture! I'm very intrigued and off to check out your tutorial!

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  26. Kim @ A Brush of WhimsyJune 25, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    How pretty! The finish is just awesome! I've never heard of the Gesso, so I'm off to read your tutorial about it! :)

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  27. Michella MarieJune 25, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Your little tables look FANTASTIC!!! I am definitely going to try this!! Following your blog too :))
    Great Job!!
    LOVE FROM TEXAS
    ~~Michella~~
    www.michellamarie.com

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  28. KjaysJune 29, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    Hi, love the look. I have a weird mirror that looks awesome, but needs help. So I am doing the gesso. I will let you know how it turns out :) Kathy

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  29. The Midwest CottageJuly 5, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    I've been doing some research on gesso aka chalk paint for a few weeks now. I just did a blog post on it. You should check it out. http://midwestcottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-my-own-chalk-paint.html

    I'd like to feature your gesso projects on my blog? Can you send me your email address?

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