Are you thrifty? frugal? cheap? I am! I try not to buy just for the sake of buying, but if I need something specific, I try to determine a way to make do with something I already own or buy pre-owned before heading to a store to buy new. If you like to use ready-owned items in new ways, I have a tip for you today–how to make your own colored waxes. 4oz sampler sizes of our paint are great to use when creating your own paint color. You will have plenty to both make a colored wax and to paint a small project. It’s also nice to be able to create your own colored wax that you may only use once rather than buying a large size.
This is what Wikipedia has to say about being a frugal soul. “Frugality is the quality of being frugal, sparing, thrifty, prudent or economical in the consumption of consumable resources such as food, time or money, and avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance. In behavioral science, frugality has been defined as the tendency to acquire goods and services in a restrained manner, and resourceful use of already owned economic goods and services, to achieve a longer term goal.” Well, that pretty much sums me up! Yep, I drive a 2004 Mini Cooper that gets great gas mileage, suits my needs, and I plan to own it until 2024!
I love using colored waxes on my furniture projects. At times I use our enhancing Metallic Waxes, but when I don’t want to shimmer, I just whip up a colored wax using CeCe Caldwell’s Paints Clear Wax and my desired color of CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk + Clay Paint. It is simple to do: I use a rough ratio of 2 parts wax to 1 part paint. I don’t measure, as each paint color has different amounts of pigment in it. I just eyeball it and then test the strength of the color and add more paint or wax, as needed.
Some of the colors I use often to mix into wax are Pittsburgh Gray, Thomasville Teal, Simply White, Cinco Bayou Moss, and Beckley Coal. I usually mix on a small saucer by taking out a dollop of Clear Wax and a smidge of the paint color. I use a baby’s fork to blend but you can use a craft stick, a swizzle stick, plastic knife or any other similar item. I pull the paint into the wax and combine the two, like making a compound butter. This is one time when I prefer Clear Wax, which is softer in comparison to our Waxing Cream.
I always apply the colored wax to a previously waxed surface. I consider the first layer of wax insurance. If I have mixed my color up darker than what I want, the insurance layer of wax makes it easier for me to remove the too dark wax. To correct the darkness, I just add a bit more Clear Wax to the mixture. If my wax mix needs more intensity, I just add a touch more paint. Once applied, let the wax sit for 15 minutes or so, then buff to shine.
I picked up this small shelf from a thrift store. It was already (poorly) painted white over the original gold plastic. I added a light coat of Pittsburgh Gray paint. Once dry, I waxed the entire piece. Then I added some wax I had colored with Beckley Coal. For this project, I did not make my wax real deep black; I went with a light to medium intensity of color. Once the colored wax had dried, I buffed it to a shine. I decided to add a touch of Sierra Silver Metallic Wax to some of the raised details.
I salvaged a small drawer front panel that I believe it was originally painted white. I put a coat of Santa Fe Turquoise on it some time ago along with some Sierra Silver. That combination didn’t really pop they way I had wanted. It set neglected until I put on a gray-tinted wax. I used Pittsburgh Gray in my Clear Wax. I applied it all over the panel. This step was necessary to bring out the dimension the panel had from its original design and by settling into the brush strokes of the paint. I have added Bingham Canyon Copper and Sierra Silver to one side of the panel. By layering the Metallic Waxes over the gray-tinted wax you get a fantastic finished look. Without the darkness added by the gray, it would not have had visual impact. Once finished, I can imagine this being used a votive candle plate or a jewelry holder on a bedside table.
I picked up this square vase at a local thrift store. It is a blackish pottery and had white highlighting of the details. Unfortunately, the white highlighting was done very, very poorly. I gave it a quick coat of Vermont Slate, which happened to be the exact color of the pottery. I mixed Simply White into my Clear Wax after applying the Clear Wax to the entire piece. I applied it to the vase, making sure to work it into the grooved lines and other details cast into the piece. You can see the piece with and without the white-tinted wax. The white brings out the details of the original piece. I will plant succulents in the pot after I complete the wax job. REMINDER: Dover White Wash does not have any pigment in it and will not work to tint wax.
Which color do you think you will try first when tinting your own wax? What colors have you already made? We would love for you to share them with us!
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Peace,
CeCe