trying something new

I have been ramping up production around here as a couple of weeks ago we (my craft club, yes I have a small craft club - and yes we do fancy ourselves quite cool...) discovered that we made it into a big craft show in November ( make it ). I did my first show in March and have done a few since - but November is really the "big time" as far as our local markets go. So we were super pumped to be picked out of so many applicants to be a part of this show. Anyway, my partners-in-craft do amazing handmade items, and while I do some handmade stuff, I mostly just re-imagine stuff... 

Speaking of re-imagining, I decided to try a new-to-me technique involving gesso to spiff up some random thrift store finds, which will be appearing at my up coming show. I had never used gesso before and to be honest I had never heard of it before a few months ago. There is a great gesso tutorial over at villabarnes, I found it really helpful and inspiring, Rosemary gets some of the most beautiful and authentic looking finishes, you should definitely go and checkout her stuff, if you haven't before.

So, without further ado here is all of my newly gessoed stuff (in my state of excitement I did not take before photos but I will tell you that this was a sea of gold, in the before state) :

I used white gesso, it was all that michael's had (and it was a little pricey - anyone know where to get a good deal on gesso?) and layered it over varying shades of grey paint.  With the mirror and the frame I was pretty rough in putting it on, I wanted a real worn look. For the sconces I wanted a little more of a polished look, so I was a little neater with the application.

This stuff was fun and easy to work with. I loved the mat finish and texture that the gesso gave all the pieces. I didn't seal the any of the pieces because none should see too much wear and tear on someone's wall - I really wanted to preserve the finish. Apparently there is also a grey and black option, so I will be seeking these out for future projects.

Has anyone else used gesso? Any special techniques?

Linking to:
http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.ca/
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.primpjunktion.com/
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.ca/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.ca/
http://www.commonground-do.com/
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/