Trash to Treasure TEA Service Makeover ~ A How To...Kindof

I am always so excited when my vision for an item I paint exceeds what I had hoped for. This TEA Service set does just that and more! So I had wanted to share with my blogging friends and followers a TRASH to Treasure Makeover. This particular teaset was purchased by a friend for me at a Garage sale, cheap but I cannot remember the exact cost. Now, usually these are just castoffs, not used any more, someone doesn't like silver or may they have a slight boo-boo or ding here and there. You know what?...that just doesn't scare me at all, in fact I really do believe it adds charm to these pieces and makes their makeover that more special.

As an artist I was so thrilled many years ago when I realized I could paint on Silver plate or differing types of metal. To begin, before you prime and paint, make sure your surface is CLEAN...this is VERY important! To start, for me, I prefer a good spray primer like KILZ or Lowe's Valspar which is a bit cheaper. Now if you use Valspar spray primer and decide to use their spray paint...you NEED to use Valspar paint on it or another brand of spray paint may bubble up on your project! Trust me on this, cause I have had it happen, UGGHHHH. Rule of thumb, use the same line of primers and sprays unless its on a Kilz primer. On these types of projects spray primer covers the hard to get areas so much faster and seems to dry quicker. Once the primer is good and dried you can use any type of paint over it. On this project I used a Metal Paint that I picked up at Michael's on the clearance aisle. Painting white is like painting red, you NEED to do many coats to get good coverage.

Once the paint had curred this Tea Service sat for a while on my desk. When I paint, I do not always paint my items right away. I have to wrap my brain around HOW I'd like to look when they are finished and that takes time.
Okay...this above picture I need for you to put on your *thinking caps* and roll with me...lol! I Know, this is NOT a before picture of this exact set that I have made over...Ok, you got me, I forgot to get a before picture so I took a picture of my own Silver Service that is in need of a good Polish so you'd get the idea of what this looked like before hand.

Here's a picture of the entire project and each piece that was painted. I have embellished them with my signature roses and then touched the delicate but intricate edges with a hint of blue. I believe final outcome is just stunning!




Now the interiors are all in good usable condition on the teapot, creamer and sugar bowl. So you would be able to use these as well or leave out for many years of display.

SPECIAL NOTE about cleaning these items: To clean these pieces they CANNOT be immersed in water. I cannot stress that enough. Now, I do recommend a damp cloth on the outside and then makig sure to dry each piece very well. They will be sealed, but water can get under the seal and then cause a bubbling or errosion of your sealed items. These should be able to be used for a lifetime with proper care.

I have listed this item in my etsy store...so stop on by there if you are interested.

Happy Trash to Treasuring!!!
Lorena