make a coat rack from recycled surfboard fins you can watch it here Surf Board fin Coat Rack video                                                                                                                                                                   

  There are a few things not covered in the video that I wanted to share with you if you want to make your own.

 

When I think up these ideas it’s a learning process for me as I try to take the vision in my head and build it into a tangible item, there are always things that I learn and discover in the process, here are a few tips.

Some fins will easily pop out of the surfboard and others are glassed in. I used a variety of different types for this project. We sawed off the glassed in fins from my Recycled a surfboard into a chalkboard video.

I borrowed a few from my friend Bobby as well. Bobby walks on the beach everyday and has found several fins that somehow escape and wash a shore! Each fin is a different size so you will want to lay out your design, measure and trace before cutting into the wood. We were new to using the router so the grooves we cut were a little bigger than they should have been. As you saw in the video we had to add some wood putty to fill in the gaps but if you cut your board precisely you won’t need to do this and your end result will be cleaner.

Here you can see where I had to touch up some of the paint to cover the wood putty. I also did not tape off the fins in the beginning and spent some time chipping off wood putty and paint from the fins… duh Debi!

When it comes to creating a super weathered distressed finish I have a few more tips as well.

Whatever you choose to distress, look for something that has lots of character in it, the more chippy distressed, uneven and dinged up the better! The board I chose for the coat rack had lots of texture and ripples in the wood, I absolutely love this and get really jazzed when I find something that looks like it’s been though a hurricane because I know the paint will come alive on it!

Be sure to wait for each layer of paint to dry before painting the next color on, otherwise your color will blend and you will get a muddy look. CeCe Caldwell paint is perfect for this because it dries so fast. I have tried to distress with laytex paint and the results are disappointing. Laytex will not sand off easily and will peel away in big circular chunks, it ends up looking like someone ripped holes in your project.

I highly recommend using wax and/or satin finish after sanding, the colors loose their sharpness with sanding because of the dust, when you apply the wax it literally comes alive. The satin finish will add even more shine and protect your finish.

I am super excited with the results and I am giving this surf fin coat rack away!

To enter the give away all you have to do is subscribe to my youtube channel Debi’s Design Diary on Youtube and leave a comment there telling me how you would use it, if you are the winner! You can earn extra entries by liking the CeCe Caldwell Facebook page or my Facebook Page. The lucky winner will be announced on Sept 30th!

Now for the classes!

CeCe Caldwell paint is taking off like wild fire! There are so many talented dealers across the country who sell paint, teach workshops and sell beautiful painted furniture. I have listed just some of the retailers below, If you do not see what you are looking for, visit the CeCe Caldwell Facebook page and post on the wall what you need and you will get a quick response to your question.

So here is a sample of where to find paint and take workshops this fall…I have included the links just scroll over the names of each one and click!

Bungalow 47 in Williamsburg MI has fun variety of classes like this one!

These fun gals have a painting 101 class coming in Sept with a few spots left!

 

Shelly from A little Bit of Shizzle is also in MI and teaching a paint 101 class this September!

This girl is a painting rockstar! If you don’t believe me check out the jaw dropping photos on her blog!

 

 

Furniture Affair in Phoenix AZ has several fun painting classes and an amazing shop full of vintage treasures!

 

The Vintage Dames  in Carlisle PA. sell paint online and are always cooking up something beautiful.

 

Laura Brewer from Studio Primrose will be teaching classes at Debra;s Cottage in Costa Mesa, CA as well as  at Furniture Affaire in Phoenix this September!

Doesn’t this classroom look like the most inspiring spot? Sign me up Laura!

 

How about  taking a paint class in the Wine Country! Anne Skougard  will be teaching in Sonoma Ca this fall!

ummmm… yes please!

 

Kim Biden from The Vintage Addict in Everette, WA sells paint and  beautiful painted pieces at The spare Room Flea Market.

 

You can find paint in Newburyport MA at Ivy Lane by Jennifer Wilkiins

Love the stripes!

 

This beautiful desk is from Laura Buoni at The not just Shabby shop in Hilliard Ohio

 

 

Kathie Carter Scantlin from Gypsy Joe Peddlers in Huntsville Texas is fully stocked up and selling paint and furniture!