Training Days with Annie Sloan

I can't quite believe that I have been a Chalk Paint stockist for nearly 15 years! It was a few years before this that a friend suggested I try Chalk Paint on my painted furniture. I come from a background in Art & Design and had training in Historic Decorative Crafts so finding a paint that could imitate so many decorative finishes was a dream!

I clearly remember the first little cupboard I painted on a warm summer evening outside on the farm, so I could keep an eye on the children as they zipped up and down on their bikes. I used Duck Egg and Old White with clear wax to create a two colour distressed piece. It was quick and worked a treat. It was a finish I had been trying to recreate with other paints but failing. From that moment on I was hooked.

At this point I had a little shop in Bridgnorth and Annie Sloan took me on as a stockist. I received my first training session in Oxford, behind Annie's shop in a little community hall. I was thrilled that Annie Sloan herself delivered the training with her team and that personal level and her dedication to her stockists continues today.

Annie Sloan training now takes place at her large warehouse on the edge of Oxford. It is a rather magical place filled with colour, creative pieces, textiles and of course paint. On the first day we were greeted with coffee and pastries, (though I have to admit I was late due to the traffic!), and by Annie and Hannah. There were about eleven stockists there, some new and some like me, old ones! Annie and Hannah took us through many different techniques and ideas for workshops which I found totally inspiring. There was a lovely lunch, a chance to share ideas and catch up the other stockists and a little look at the factory where the paint is actually made. Yes, Chalk Paint is made in Oxford! In the afternoon I learnt a couple of 'new' techniques which I hope to share in workshops later this year. My notebook by the end of the day was crammed full of ideas!

On day two we looked at dyeing fabric and other printing techniques which again I found quite inspirational. The lovely Lynne Lambourne shared her experience with social media and workshops too. Even though I have been using the paint for years and have visited Oxford many times, I still came away with so many new ideas, new friends and new focus on Tea & Roses going forward.

A big thank you to Annie Sloan and her generosity in giving her time to spend with her stockists. As you can imagine she is a very busy lady and desire to encourage and build community goes beyond just selling paint.

I can't wait to get started with rolling out some of these new ideas!!