gymslip boas: Making an ?Antique? Sign

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Making an ?Antique? Sign

?I must apologize! ?I posted a teaser about this sign I made for Cottages & Bungalows and said I would post the tutorial after the issue was off newsstands. ?Well?that was in August, so I think it?s safe to say that those issues have been pulled. ?So, at long last, here it is?

What you?ll need:

12? wide pine board cut to desired length
Acrylic craft paint (at least three colors)
2 ?? sash brush
1? artist brush, 1.0 liner brush, ?? angled shader
Computer
Printer and printer paper
Scissors
Tape
Graphite transfer paper
Ballpoint pen
80 grit sand paper
Dark brown soft furniture wax
Round brush or cotton cloth
Clean cotton cloth
Drill with driver bits
Tape measure or ruler
2 D-ring hangers
Hammer and nails

How to do it:

Cut a piece of 12? wide pine board to desired length or use a piece of scrap lumber.? If wood is new, hit it with a hammer and scratch it with nails to rough it up.? Using a 2 ?? sash brush, paint the board in desired color.? It is best to use a flat or matte acrylic or milk paint.? Allow paint to dry.

Use a word processing program on the computer to design text for the sign.? Sizing it to fit on the board may take some trial and error, so print only one or two letters at a time until the right font size is determined.? Print the letters.? For smaller letters and words, cut out and tape them together.? Place graphite transfer paper under the lettering and trace outline with a ballpoint pen.? Make sure lettering is level on the sign before tracing.? One piece of transfer paper can be used repeatedly for entire sign.

Use a 1? wash brush to paint large letters or a ?? angled shader for smaller letters.? If desired, paint a border on the sign as well.

Choose a darker, coordinating color to paint an outline and shadow around letters.? This makes the letters stand out and gives the sign a three dimensional appearance.? Allow paint to completely dry.

Sand entire sign with 80 grit sandpaper to distress lettering and paint.? Allow wood to show through in some areas.? Wipe away dust with a cloth.

Use a round brush or soft cloth to apply a dark brown furniture wax in a thin layer to entire surface of sign.? The wax will settle in the imperfections in the wood, giving the sign an authentically aged look.? Allow wax to dry for 3-5 minutes, then buff to a shine with a clean cloth.

Turn sign over and measure approximately 2? in and down on each corner.? Make a mark with a pencil or pen.? Drill a pilot hole for the D-ring hanger screw on the mark.? Attach D-ring hangers to back of the sign using screws.? Hang sign on nails.? For heavy or large signs, locate a stud or use anchors to hang securely.?? Always use caution and wear safety glasses when using power tools.

?That?s it! ?This is a great project to do with free scraps of wood and can be completed in an afternoon. ?I love projects like that.

This weekend I have two more book signings/events going on. ?I?ll be at the Stylish Patina barn?on Friday, November 16, from 10 am ? noon for a book signing at 4051 Stanford Court in Frederick, MD. ?Afterwards, I?m going to Lucketts to drop off some furniture, new finds AND more books. ? On Saturday, November 17, I?ll be teaching a milk paint workshop from 9 am ? 10 am at D?Bohemia?at 425 St. John St. in Harve de Grace, MD. ?Reservations are required for the workshop, so see their website for details. ?I?ll then stick around for a book signing from 10:30 am ? 12:10 pm. ?I hope to meet some of you Friday or Saturday!