Here are your Q&A’s. Got questions? Email me at cbensten@blueeggbrownnest.com
In your experience, what TYPE of pieces sell faster than others? Obviously a higher ticket item will sit a bit longer in general at times, but have you found any sort of trends to what people tend to swoop up the fastest?
I would say consoles, nightstands and dressers are probably the most popular. The slowest thing to go for most painters are beds for some reason. This is why I very rarely hunt them out and refinish a bed.
Many of your pieces look “distressed” not only along the edges, but also on the flat surfaces, almost like the paint has worn off in places. I am wondering if you don’t apply a full coat of paint in those places or if you fully cover the piece and then sand those areas back to the wood surface.
It really depending on the piece. If it is a piece that is in excellent shape then I feel like I can play a bit more and, yes, I will leave paint off in places. Other times I paint a solid few coats and sand until I get a custom look.
When I saw your website I was impressed & wanted to ask you how you got started? I hope it’s okay that I ask! How did you learn how to use ann’s paints so well & was it hard to start up a website & keep up with business?
Well, I would suggest reading some of my back posts from the past few years. I had a need and I learned out to paint out of that need. I then realized that I really enjoyed it and it fit my lifestyle. I have also been very blessed with wonderful clients, readers and support.
I’ve followed you on your page and You Tube. You have helped me bring out some passions I had allowed to lay dormant. Now at my age I do need some help especially with this technology stuff. My question is how can I get a page like yours since I’m just starting. I’d like to sell my things online.
You need to practice what you love until you are good at it and motivated enough to put yourself out there. You can hire web designers to create a page for you and then it’s up to you to do the writing, painting and listing. So much of it comes from ambition and drive. Good luck!
How often is your website updated? I see a lot of your items are already sold. I am interested in a distressed coffee table and some dinning chairs and would like to know how often you get new pieces & finish them?
The best thing for you to do is “Like” Blue Egg Brown Nest on Facebook too. Many times I list pieces here first. By the time I list on my site they have sold. Every piece is custom and I do not hold a ton of inventory. However, if you are looking for a specific piece I am happy to hunt one down with you and refinish.
I just had a question for you if you don’t mind answering it. I’ve been fixing up a couple of nightstands and am ready for the waxing process. I did not know about ‘Annie Sloan’s” chalk paint sadly. I already have painted with ‘Americana Decor’ chalk paint that I bought from Home Depot. I also bought the ‘Americana Decor’ creme wax. I applied a bit of it today and it just didn’t seem to turn out right. It looks like it makes the white of the paint turn a bit blue and also you can’t see where you apply the wax. When you apply it, you can also see the wood start to come through which shouldn’t happen because I put two pretty heavy coats of paint on there. Do you have any experience with creme wax? Do you think I could go buy some ‘Annie Sloan’ soft wax?
I have not used this brand of paint before. What does the piece look like once you let the clear wax dry? I find that with lighter colors the clear wax and make the paint look a little translucent, but once it dries it is solid once again. If you are not happy with the wax then, yes, you can use an ASCP wax over the paint. If this still does not give you the desired look then I would recommend trying another paint. You can always paint over a project without sanding it down with ASCP.
I was hoping you could help with a chandelier I bought on Craigslist. Do you have any idea how to make a brass chandelier look antiqued? I’ve looked on Pinterest and apple cider vinegar mixed with sea salt sprayed on the fixture is a way to go. Before I dive into it I’d like to ask you if you’ve ever done it and if not do you have any suggestions on how to?
I would spray paint the chandelier and then go over it with some gilding wax. You can find this at your stockist or craft store.
On your blog post yesterday, you featured the Pinterest picture with that awesome chair and French secretary desk. Did the pinterest post note where the chair came from? I have seen some like that at Restoration Hardware, but not sure it is the same one. Can you give me any insight?
I hear you! There are so many pictures on Pinterest that I wish listed a source! I’m sorry to say that I have no more information for you. I have been known to spend hours hunting for products that I see in photos and eventually I find something that comes close.
Please let me know the color gray and brand of paint on the wall in the photo of the two candles and a teapot with roses you posted on FB on December 8.
Do a search for “Wall Colors Revealed” on Blue Egg Brown Nest.
Do you have concerns or had any issues with dealing with strangers? I am weary of putting myself out there too much and worry about dealing with people who might be somewhat crazy, for a lack of a better word.
Yes. I am very careful about where I hunt for pieces. I have a mover that I work with that picks up furniture for me so I do not put myself in any uncomfortable positions. My phone number and address are also not listed. When you do not have a storefront you do need to be cautious.
I grew up with a dad who owned retail businesses and other ventures. I’ve seen, firsthand, how difficult it can be to please some people and how critical or unreasonable they can be towards a small business owner. As someone who provides a service, is this something you ran into a lot in the beginning and how did you deal with it?
This definitely comes up every now and again. I have been blessed with amazing clients, but every so often there is a bad apple and you can see them coming from a mile away! I always feel like I have a choice because I run a small business. I can say no. I have done that before. When I meet someone who is difficult to deal with I have had enough experience to tell myself, “That is them. It is no reflection on me.” That being said, I HATE mean people.
What product do you use to clean furniture and or kitchen cabinets in particular if you suspect grease build up on kitchen cabinets? Recently had a situation on kitchen cabinets. thought we had them thoroughly cleaned with simply green but the grease must have permeated into the wood because the paint started to crackle after we applied a water based poly as the finish instead of wax for more protection. the crackling only occurred around some of the doors in the door knob area which is touched the most often where oil from your hands and from cooking buildup. how can I avoid this in the future.
The poly should not come up easily, but accept wear and tear. I have not used Simply Green so I can not speak to it, but basic cleaners should not give you that type of problem unless the grease was not properly sanded down before the poly was applied. Was your wood prepped?
We have been in business for eleven years and have had some struggling times, but we’re still holding our own. Would like to get our one of a kind furniture out there for others to see. What do you suggest?
Check out some of my “Building a Business” posts. I try to help address these issues.
Here is the 3rd time I’ve been to ech time and this web site it’s slightly mor notable.
I have been working on myy own, personal website and plan on taking some cues rom what you’ve going on here.
If you don’t miknd cann you let me kknow if this iis a custom not orr there and what CMS yyou
are using?