Octopus covered Nesting Table set - functional art

Hello everyone!

I am just so excited to share with you all this project... if you want to see more please head over to my website and check out all the fantastic details and photos. Thanks for your support!

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Facebook: Uniquely Grace
Twitter: Grace Lauer Artist @gracelauer
Instagram: @gracelauer_henna_artist
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Yard Sale Find Flipped to a Colonial Antebellum Home Inspired Dresser

Welcome everyone to my Colonial Antebellum inspired Dresser Flip. It began with this $20 dresser yard sale find. This 10 drawer find I thought was in fairly good condition aside from some deep scratches on the top that needed to be sanded out or filled. They were even kind enough to deliver it.

Once I got it home and out of their grass...  I could see the work I had in store for me. The above image shows how much cosmetic work was needed to be done to the side of the footings and moldings. Most of it I was able salvage after removing 6 nails and 4 screws, all of them were driven in from the outside of the piece and were visible. The molding was in 3 pieces in the front and missing the back foot.

Repairs were made and she was brought back to life... Possibly even a grander life then she had before with the addition of the shutters to her mirror and new hardware. This dresser was inspired by the Colonial Antebellum architecture found frequently here in the south. I am in love with all the history around here that comes with being on the east coast.

Meet Mrs. Hayward

I will admit I felt like this project was never going to end. Rebuilding, repairs, patching and sanding. It so far was the largest rehab I have done. Her Body is finished with Alamo White antiqued with Black ReVax, sealed with Sheer Vax.

Her top is Licorice (black) with Black Revax as a sealer.

Here is one full look at the before and after of what Shabby Paints can do for any piece of furniture! If you love it please make sure to take a second to comment below or Pin it to your favorite furniture board on Pinterest.

This beauty was sold in 4.5 hrs after I walked out of the store I set her up in. She is a stunning piece and I am sure going to be well admired once again. 

Want to know where to get Shabby Paints? I am happy to let you know I am now a Shabby Paint's Stylist. Currently I am taking pre-orders as I await my first shipment of inventory to arrive. You can message me and flip through the colors I will have in stock on my Facebook Page: Uniquely Grace.

These items will arrive by and be ready to ship to all you fantastic people June 1st-15th! These colors are on their way so pre-orders are being accepted!We can ship APO!!!
Posted by Uniquely Grace on Wednesday, May 13, 2015

I soon will have an online store where you will be able to shop and order off of FB. If you have any questions on how much to order or how to complete a project I am always here to help. Message me at Uniquely Grace on FB and I will be happy to walk you though it.

Hop you have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend!



Shabby Paints Stylist (contact me if you would like to order paints and sealers.)

Find me on...
Facebook: Uniquely Grace
Twitter: Grace Lauer Artist @gracelauer
Instagram: @gracelauer_henna_artist
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Happy Earth Day! - Oak Table Flip to World Map Statement Piece

Hello World of readers! Happy Earth Day to you!

Well this one took a while but well worth it. He is done... meet Magellan! Painted by hand with my favorite paints on the market! These make refinishing so easy to do!

Shabby Paints Brand paints used were: Cali Taupe, Old Gold Shimmer, Hazelnut ReVax, Sheer Vax and a custom Mixed color...

Vintage Sue Blue - 

• 3 parts marine blue
• 2 part licorice
• 1/2 part so serene
• 1/2 part oh so shabby

This blue was hand mixed by myself to achieve a color from my childhood. Our living room was this color for many, many years. In honor of my mother and her "vintage" love for this blue... It is now my first custom color I will be offering and it is called "Vintage Sue Blue". Love you Mom!

The entire piece has been hand painted and the land masses were drawn and painted freehand.

Here is an insight to the creative processes. I really wanted to label the land masses and larger bodies of water. So I took some transparencies and cut them into pieces and wrote on them while they were laying on top of the map design... testing to see how it would look.

I asked around and in the end I decided not to add the words. The top was then distressed and dry brushed with Hazelnut ReVax.  

The bottom legs have a gold dip dyed look to them with old gold shimmer dry brushed onto the Vintage Sue Blue base. I began this step by painting Cali Taupe under all the old gold shimmer edging.

Once the old gold was painted on I painted the legs with the Vintage Sue Blue recipe listed above. I painted it down over the tops of the Cali Taupe/Old Gold to a measured height and created the line you see here.

Once the blue was cured over night I dry brushed the Old gold on the underside of the table with a chip brush. Don't you just love the depth it adds to the legs?

The entire piece was sealed with two coats of Sheer Vax. I love the Vax product by +Shabby Paints, it is so easy to use, non toxic, VOC free and MADE IN THE USA!

Hope you like this project. Please help support me by sharing, pinning or commenting below with your thoughts about this piece. Thank you!

EDIT/UPDATE: This project won a prize from Shabby Paints as a monthly favorite project. Thank you Shabby Paints!!!! I could not have created this without you!

Find me on...
Facebook: Uniquely Grace
Twitter: Grace Lauer Artist @gracelauer
Instagram: @gracelauer_henna_artist
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‪#‎Shabbypaints‬ ‪#‎Giveaway‬ ‪#‎Coffeetable‬ ‪#‎refinished‬ ‪#‎oneofakind‬ ‪#‎reduce ‬‪#‎reuse‬ ‪#‎earthday‬ #chalkpaint #handpainted 

Dr. Seuss' Lorax inspired Truffula Tree Seedlings DIY!

Hello everyone... today's post will be quick. I have to rush out to play practice for my daughter, son had youth group and I am on my own tonight to get them from here to there. LOL!

I put together some Truffula Tree Seedlings for the Dr. Seuss window display. I painted up some clay pots with +Shabby Paints Betsy Ross Red, Alamo White and Licorice. then created the tree trunks and the truffula tops with feathers.

Here is the full window display... with the night stand and the end table I repainted also. I am loving this chalk paint!

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Facebook: Uniquely Grace
Twitter: Grace Lauer Artist @gracelauer
Instagram: @gracelauer_henna_artist
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Guardian Warrior Angel Christmas Tree Topper - OOAK Male Clay Sculpted figure

I am so excited to finally show you all this creation. A year ago I was in the middle of moving across country when an old friend of mine contacted me with his idea. Due to the move I was unable to create this piece for him last year and now this Guardian Angel of the Lord sits atop his Christmas tree this holiday season!

He is constructed with polymer clay and a wire armature. The armature began looking like this...

His face is hand painted and he has red leather accents. I always have to use some sort of recycled goods in my work so under his clothing can be found a soda bottle with the bottom cut out to create a slender cone to help secure him over the top of the tree.

His wings are based with the same wire armature so they are secured from the inside out. They are covered in 3 kinds of feathers, white goose, white ostrich and marabou feathers. There are over 60 goose feathers in the wings and all are hand trimmed into the shapes you see below. 

He holds a broad sword with the scripture of Luke 2: 8-20.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Here is one more over all look at this OOAK (one of a kind) Guardian Warrior Angel Christmas Tree Topper.

My friend is very pleased with him as am I, especially since I have not carved a human figure since high school... which was long enough ago I won't say how long... LOL!

If you enjoyed this piece please comment below, pin or share I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you all for your support.

Find me on...
Facebook: Uniquely Grace
Twitter: Grace Lauer Artist @gracelauer
Instagram: @gracelauer_henna_artist
Pinterest: L. Grace Lauer

Hand Painted Holiday - Wooden Halloween Raven

I was spending some time today in a small local second hand boutique in town. In a corner of a store they had this unique wooden blackbird with wire feet. I could hear him now "squawk, take me home". I picked him up, my fingers rolled down his back and I inspected the distressing and the few flaws of a life or two lived before in someone else's care. He was simply beautiful just the way he was, sleek and simple. But, I felt something missing if he was to fit into my home. He needed a fresh start, a start with a new look and a makeover idea popped into my head.

With the fantastic VOC free, Non-Toxic paints I have been using lately I thought it would be fun to put some in an empty henna cone and use the fine tip to draw with the chalk paint, Alamo White from Shabby Paints. This sweet and simple black bird was transformed into Wolfrum the Raven overnight.

Wolfrum now sports some fantastic detailing from his head to his tail feathers.

A simple heart on this tail feathers states he will be adored every Halloween as he makes his aperance in our home for the season.

Thank you so much for reading and viewing this post. Please leave a comment below letting me know your thoughts on this project.