third_hand Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Howdy all, Eli here again. I was wondering: have any of you mini-makers found a good way to keep track of all your paints, stains, glues, varnishes, waxes, enamels, etc. and, most importantly, their effects? Today I was deliberating on a faux 'gilded' finish for my 'decoupage' Queen Anne tea table (house of miniatures kit; it's a work in progress). I tested my gold effect wax and some oil-based enamel on a scrap of painted wood (I wanted a well-worn look). It occurred to me that I could keep a record of my different materials on different surfaces! You could use photos, I suppose, but I prefer the idea of having materials in real life. That way, there's no funny business with lighting or lenses; plus, if we date them, we could see how effects or finishes age! Have you all made a finishes/effects journal of sorts before? Or have you found some other solution? Or, lastly, do you all have this information stored in your noggins (if so, I commend you because I can't remember it all!)? As usual, I'd love to hear from you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Bless you, Eli, I have yet to try an effect that looks the same way twice. I have to noodle around each time to get a desired effect, whether it's the finish on blue spatterware cookware or retro linoleum, because for some reason what worked for me before might not want to work the next time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Eli, I always seem to be looking for new effects, so it has not occurred to me to try to keep a record of what works. Kudos on your table. It will be a standout! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalesq Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 I kept photo records. I always do test strips too and keep them around during the project, but I find the photos help a lot, especially when I can look at a photo progression of each step. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 2 hours ago, KathieB said: it has not occurred to me to try to keep a record of what works. After thinking about this, I'm reminded that I do blog as I go, so many processes are recorded. I've just never thought about referring back to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 I had a large jar of test wood and the stains I’ve used on them. I penciled the stain color/brand on the front of each piece. However, I threw the jar out when I was decluttering the garage last summer. I had to make room for my cars during hurricane season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsbeth Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 I have wanted to keep a "paint sample" binder - with dots of my various acrylics on thick paper - organized by shades. Definitely want to have a piece of basswood with my stain pen shades on it - maybe a paint stirrer with stripes and fine-sharpied notes about what they are.' I'm full of ideas but zero action, so sad. I like that image you are decoupage onto the table - I like it a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fov Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 1 hour ago, KathieB said: After thinking about this, I'm reminded that I do blog as I go, so many processes are recorded. I've just never thought about referring back to them. My blog is super helpful for reminding me how I did something! I'm always referring back to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qubanqtee Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 what a great idea! maybe a baseball card sleeve notebook with a picture of the paint and a sample of the wood next to it? That could be amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
third_hand Posted December 18, 2018 Author Share Posted December 18, 2018 11 hours ago, KathieB said: Eli, I always seem to be looking for new effects, so it has not occurred to me to try to keep a record of what works. Kudos on your table. It will be a standout! Gee thanks, Kathie! I had to wait on the trim because I broke the wee bits that came with the kit (they were pretty brittle) and left my mitre box back in Eugene! I've since decided 2 boxes are worth having ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
third_hand Posted December 18, 2018 Author Share Posted December 18, 2018 6 hours ago, Qubanqtee said: what a great idea! maybe a baseball card sleeve notebook with a picture of the paint and a sample of the wood next to it? That could be amazing. I thought about this too! That would really keep things in order. Toy stores still stock them, don't they? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 1 hour ago, third_hand said: I thought about this too! That would really keep things in order. Toy stores still stock them, don't they? If you can find a toy store. Also check Hobby Lobby. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Office supply stores have the sleeves. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qubanqtee Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 yes, your best bet is an office supply store or even Amazon has serious sleeves .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
third_hand Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 On 12/17/2018, 7:05:02, havanaholly said: If you can find a toy store. Also check Hobby Lobby. Good point, Holly! We have one (which doubles as a hobby shop, thankfully) here in Eugene. I forget how scarce they've become! On 12/17/2018, 7:05:02, havanaholly said: If you can find a toy store. Also check Hobby Lobby. On 12/17/2018, 5:41:16, KathieB said: Eli, I always seem to be looking for new effects, so it has not occurred to me to try to keep a record of what works. Kudos on your table. It will be a standout! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lita Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 I follow Polymer Clay Tutor on you tube and one of her videos suggests this method of cataloging your sample clay blends or finishes. This ink blog provides free label templates and you use coin collection display pages to store the samples. Here's the blog for the ink samples, who is the inventor of the whole concept. I don't have a current link to the clay video but the clay tutor glues her clay samples to the label templates and stores them, as described in this video. https://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2014/04/complete-ink-swatch-book-downloads.html And...I found the clay video also: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
third_hand Posted December 20, 2018 Author Share Posted December 20, 2018 4 hours ago, Lita said: video https://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2014/04/complete-ink-swatch-book-downloads.html And...I found the clay video also: Oh my, Lita, this is exactly the sort of thing I had in mind. Thanks very much for sharing! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniaddicted Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 On 12/17/2018, 11:48:41, fov said: My blog is super helpful for reminding me how I did something! I'm always referring back to it. Yep, I have had challenges remembering what I did with finishes before too...especially since the last few houses have taken me years to finish. I've been more mindful of this of late and taking pictures and then adding things to my blog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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