Wax On; Wax Off & Some Super Exciting News

I'm a bit sore today from yesterday's run, especially after I sit down for something, but definitely not as bad as I thought I would be.  I didn't get too much done in the way of furniture today because I worked at the Thrift Shop.  I was there a little longer than usual getting some work done for tomorrow.  By the time I got home and did a little bit around the house, it was time to head to the neighbor's for our dinner share.

First up, I'll share my really exciting news.  I'm gonna be official!  Yep, I'm gonna have a real logo and I couldn't be more excited.  One of my great (and super talented) friends, Rhonda, has a marketing design company called Vintage Birch Designs.  You can visit her website at http://www.vintagebirchdesigns.com/.  She has been designing a logo for me and I'm working on tweeking a few things to make it "me".  As soon as it's completed, I'll definitely share!  Hopefully, this blog will start looking better and I'll have the sidebar all set up, making it MUCH easier for you to navigate your way around here. 

With that being said...I'm certainly going to need to get better pictures for you as this blog (hopefully) continues to grow.  This post, unfortunately, does not have great pics.  It was so incredibly bright outside when I took these, but hopefully you can bear with me and get the idea.

In this particular post I wanted to show you a really cool piece that I recently snagged and the difference that a little wax can make.  I have booths at two shops here in Florida.  One is Smith's Antiques in Destin, which is a higher-end, nice antique mall.  The other is at De'France Antiques and Collectible Indoor Flea Market in Fort Walton Beach.  This is more of an "average buyer" type store.  There is a mix of old and new and everything in between.  I love it when I find something in another dealer's booth at one of my stores that I know will be a perfect fit at the other store.  This desk/table is a perfect example.

 This piece came from one of my good friend's booth and I was sooooooo tempted to keep this for myself.  I LOVE it.  I LOVE everything about it.  I LOVE the size, colors, shape, and so much more.  But....I have a rule.  If it doesn't have a home, it can't stay.  And at the time, it didn't have a particular place in my house to call "home" so off it went to Smith's after I fixed it up a bit.  Just look at the beautiful character it has:

 It's a bit hard to see the aged and worn look and patina in these pictures, but this piece had the perfect top, it was just looking a bit dull and needed to be spruced up.  Enter one of my favorite products: Minwax Paste Wax in Natural.  I use this stuff all the time.  The first couple time I used it, I was intimidated by it.  Yes, I was intimidated by a little can of wax.  I'm a weenie!  I get this at Lowe's.  They also have a dark version, but I have to order that through Benjamin Moore.  I haven't found anywhere here locally that carries it.  In the picture below, I want you to see what a dramatic difference this little can of wax can make.  It completely revitalizes this piece and brings the top back to life.  The left half has been waxed and the right half has not had anything done to it.  Total transformation!

 When I use this wax, I use an old rag/sock/towel to apply it.  It's pretty hard in the can (unless it's 95 degrees outside and you forget to store it in the house, not that I would know anything about that though).  So, I kinda have to "dig" a little out.  It really doesn't take much.  I basically follow the directions on the can but tweek it just a bit.  I rub it on my piece in the direction of the grain and give it a light coating.  I don't really leave it sitting too long and then I sorta buff/rub it in at the same time.  I usually go in a bit of a circular motion followed by going over it again in the direction of the grain.  I love the soft and polished feel that the wax gives a piece.  It's plenty durable to use on a table tops too, but you may have to re-wax over time. 

I do use other waxes and I'm always up for trying a new product, but for the pieces I do, I probably use this about 80% of the time.  It's just my go-to buddy.  We have a good working relationship and I plan to keep it that way if/until I find something better.  I should note that when using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, I do prefer to use the Annie Sloan wax.  Any Minwax Paste Wax lovers or haters out there?