I still love my wood countertops and other questions answered....

I have to admit, with the holidays, I've been really bad at getting back to people who have asked me some questions. I promise I am not that rude in real life.

I thought I would answer them all here....

1. You did your remodel last year, how are your wood counter tops holding up?

 I still love them. They are holding up beautifully. Most of the main counter top I've only sealed twice. Right around  the sink has probably been about 4 -5 times, but it is constantly getting wet there and being wiped down. It's easy to reseal them, its just a matter of wiping  the sealer on before bed and they are ready to go the next morning! A year later I would do them all over again.
-Use the sealer from Ikea. It's super easy to use. I chose to not use a sealer like Waterlox because I wanted to be able to control the depth of the color and if you use a sealer where you do the entire thing like that of you ever have to fix a stain, you have to sand down the entire section and re-sand so it all seals the same. Now I can just sand down a section and reseal.
-I do not cut or put hot pans on my counter top, I use a marble slab for that.

But I do still love them and would do them all over again!

2. What is that color on your walls in your kitchen?

The kitchen and dining  room are Benjamin Moore Bennington Grey.

3. How did Country Living find you to feature your kitchen?

They actually saw my post on facebook when we did the big reveal and e-mailed me. Now I did already have a working relationship with them; but I got that by putting myself out there (I literally ambushed the editor at a conference...that's a whole 'nother story.).

4.What is that fabric on your burlap tablecloth? Where did you get it?

 Joann Fabrics, I think it was $6.99 a yard.

5. How did you start wholesaling?

To be honest, it all started with me schlepping my stuff to stores and showing it to them. Some places were hits, some were misses. It's easiest to call a store you think you would fit into, ask if they take local artists and then schedule an appointment. Sometimes they love your stuff and sometimes they don't. It's about finding the right store with the right fit.

6. Do you ever teach any classes?

Yes! I am actually teaching in Jeanne Oliver's e-course and I am going to be teaching a jewelry class just outside of Naperville, IL at the end in January (which I'll be officially announcing soon.). I am going to start teaching more local classes on furniture re-do's and home projects. I used to teach CPR and Public Education classes when I was a firefighter/paramedic. I was pretty good at stop, drop and roll. In fact, I think that's how I ended up with 3 kids.

7. Were you really a firefighter?

(in case you are wondering, I am the guy in the middle.)

Yes I was. Even though that's not who I am any more, I am so proud of who it made me. There's a whole book behind that one some day. Even though I have finally settled back in to who I am supposed to be as an artist,  my hubby does say "You can take the girl out of the firehouse, but not the firehouse out of the girl." I don't know if that's a complement or an insult.

9. Do you ever stop?

NO. :)

10. Are you going to be stocking any more texting/fingerless gloves?

I am going to do one more restock at the end of January and then I'll be getting ready for my spring line. I'll also be putting in some Santos dolls and some other goodies.

11.What are your next projects?

A living room re-paint, and a pretty cool project in our dining room that I am not going to talk about yet :)

Is there anything I missed that you were wondering? Ask away! Leave a question in your comment  and I'll answer it right underneath. :)

I hope you have  a Happy New Year! I'll see you in 2012!!!!!

Jen