This weekend was my first experience with the fastest growing do-it-yourself (DIY) board making home décor, Board and Brush. This instructor lead workshop puts the creativity and power tools control in your own hands. The great thing is Board and Brush provides all the materials and instruction for a low price of $65. You will need to bring your willingness to be creative, sense of adventure and trust that you will make a great original custom wood sign for your home.
A co-worker was talking about her experience and showing off her boards. Everyone was intrigued; including myself. I loved listening to her explain the process, how to pick from one of the many templates, then how to choose your own stain, colors and monogramming.
I loved that there are several locations and their calendar offers times in the evening and weekends. Prior to signing up, I suggest you review the Gallery page to “pick your board”. Keep in mind that even though the gallery has pictures of boards available to make, you still get to change the stain and color. The pictures simply give you how it could be finished. Also, it is nice to be able to request who you would like to sit next to when registering so makes for great family, friends and Girls Night Out evening fun.
Note: It was very difficult to select my board as there were so many that I liked. I decided that I will need to register for a second class and maybe a third and fourth class to do more boards. I am in love with several board designs so I see several more workshops in my future. Be warned, this is addictive.
Upon arriving, we were welcomed by several Board and Brush instructors. There are plenty of hooks on the parameter for the room and smocks to wear to help protect your clothing. (Although I would not recommend wearing your best dressy outfit since you will be working with paints, stains, wood, sandpaper and power tools.)
Once everyone arrived, the instructor welcomed us and began to discuss the process for the first step. There were several instructors walking around to help answer and questions and assist in any of the processes. Each step, they would provide instructors for that process. The entire workshop lasts 3 hours and you will walk out of the studio with your own custom made Board.
I choose the Modern Monogram design; with the ability to customize with my name and when established. We started with our boards to sand them down and distress them. This was fun… hammers, meat tenderizers and all the aggression you provide. You can distress as much or as little as you wish. The next step was applying stain.
This was an easy process and I recommend wearing the protective gloves provided. Once your boards are the color you desire, the next step is to assemble to boards together (all the supplies are provided). This is where you get to use the power tool; the drill!
Next, come the fun part, applying your pre-made personalized stencil. It was easy to remove the sticky background, then centering on the board. There are plenty of measuring tapes for the more presice personalities. (you can eye ball it too is you wish).
From there, pick your color(s) and begin the stenciling. This is not painting, rather and patting up and down so as to not let the paint bleed under the applied stencil pattern.
Let your creativity flow. The key to remember is less (paint) is more. You do not need lots of paint for this process. Once you are done, pull the blue adhesive stencil pattern and viola….
I am sure you will feel a sense of pride at both your handle work and your creativity. For more information or to locate a Board and Brush near you, check out their website.
I also think it looks great in my living room!
PS. I have already scheduled my next class!
