What's in My Paint Bag...........

A bunch of us furniture painters decided to get together and share the tools we use when we transform furniture pieces.  

We all have our own "things" that are a must in our Paint Bag. 

My basket is full of goodies, but not beauties!  

I always have funtrintre wax:

 I use several  different clear waxes (Annie Sloane and Miss Mustard Seed).  I love this clear Carnuba wax for a few reasons.  It smells good-kind of like Eucalyptus and Tea Tree, it is soft and easy to use, and it is reasonably priced online.  

I love Annie Sloane dark wax and use it for most of my pieces since I like the patina and character it gives.  

I use a lot of oil ( Miss Mustard Seed's Hemp Oil is one of my favs., but I was out  of it for this post).  I can buy this Linseed oil at my local paint store and it is reasonably priced and lasts a long time.  I mix it with my waxes to stain wood and to give a painted piece of furniture patina. 

Let's talk paint brushes-a good one is a MUST!  

My two favorite brushes are by Purdy and Parsons West

(Miss Mustards Seed's paint brush) 

Paint brushes and a container for paint
 (Mason Jars or Yogurt containers are what I mix my paints in) 

I like to have a brush that is thicker, has an angled edge and a shorter handle.  

I also buy the cheap brushes for my wax/oil concoction.  When they get worn and too sticky I just throw them away.

 I use my scraper ALL the time!  This is my favorite distressing tool.  I scrape the edges of furniture and I use it to scrape the flakes off when I use milk paint. 

I always have screw drivers, a tape measure and sand paper around.  I also like to keep needle nose pliers available for help with old furniture.  

I use MANY different kinds of chalk and milk paints, but I often make my own chalk paint and I use Plater of Paris for this.  I love to mix up my own personal colors for a piece. 

I like to keep wood glue in my basket-alway using it  for old pieces! 

I use cotton clothes ( white socks that have lost their mates, old tee-shirts)  to wipe on and off my wax and oils.  

Sand paper is a must, but I rarely use it to distress, I usually use it to make things smooth. 

I also like to keep a well built rasp around since it seems that most drawers stick on old dressers. 

My Paint Basket! 

I hope you will go visit the other ladies and see what they keep in Their Paint Bags:

Primitive and Proper

Canary Street Crafts

The Crowned Goat

2 Bees in a Pod

The Painted Drawer

Orphans without Makeup