The Right Tool
A few years ago, I had a very cool conversation with other artists about?the right tool vs. the?best material.? As in, which would you rather have?? Personally, I went with the right tool because you can still make magic happen even if you don’t have the best material available.? However, try as you might, the wrong tools won’t even make the best material work the way you need it to.? What do you think?
This leads me to my post.? Recently, Debbie Jackson helped me out on a job where we were creating embossed bamboo stems and leaves?using Silver Moss Lusterstone.? Normally, I use Japan scrapers to trowel on the material over the stencil but on the second day, Debbie brought over a tool she said was way better for embossing.? It was?cute?and I thought “heck, I’ll give it a shot”.
Whoa.? Seriously.? MUCH better — the angle lets?you?control your?hand application better, it flexes so that you can apply just the right amount of material and yet it scrapes the excess plaster firmly so that you have a clean stencil time and again.? I loved it so much that Debbie gave me her extra one.? (Thank you, Debbie!)? She told me she bought it from Donna Phelps’ faux studio and I called Donna pronto to get the deets for the Fauxology readers.
It’s called the Multi-Angled Italian Painting Knife and it retails for $21.95.? It is made of stainless steel and will not oxidize or corrode like trowels made out of nickel.? She is currently out of stock but is planning to order more soon.??She also advised that it’s?a nice trowel to have to get into tight?corners and spots or to use for buttering a larger trowel?since it?assists beautifully.? (Buttering a trowel refers to using a small trowel to scoop your plaster material and placing it on the actual trowel that you are using to finish.? The small trowel helps in cleaning the larger trowel and continuously adding material to it.? It’s a “flow” kind of motion that keeps both your hands busy.)
Here’s a during shot and one of the final pics, close-up.? For those not familiar with embossing, you attach the stencil (using stencil spray glue) to the surface and secure with tape.? Here, we are using a Victoria Larsen dimensional stencil.? Trowel your material through the stencil — being careful not to let any product seep under — and then lift the stencil.? Ta-da!? Be sure to clean off your stencil immediately.? We like to sand the rough edges once dry.
Sorry about the change in color above — I have to get used to the difference using flash makes.? The silver moss is close to a nice shimmery gray-green.? Until next time!
Jennifer Allwood
1090 days ago
Ooohhhhhh I must get!!!!!!! I must get!!!!!!! I would vote for the right product by the way. I love tools… but I can “McIver” a stirstick with a roll of tape and a paper towel inside to usually make a tool! =)
Regina Garay
1089 days ago
I go back and forth, sometimes. Like when I use high-end Venetian Plaster…the ease of how it trowels and burnishes makes me think it would look good no matter the quality of the trowel. It’s like the which came first question…:)
Donna Phelps
1089 days ago
Hi All! Anyone that just has to have this tool may email me at donna@sarasotafauxfx.com with your order, name, phone number, email address. This will help me out when I place my order – that will ensure I receive enough to cover your orders and my stock needs. Everyone have a great FauxDay!
P.S. Florida’s Golden Palette Meeting here at the school 9:am Saturday morning!
ann mcguire
1089 days ago
I have to vote for the right tool. I think you’re right, you can make magic happen with sub-par material and great instruments. Like the perfect brush!!! a clean crisp line can’t be made with just anything. I love the color of the wall. Do you have a larger picture? Would love to see how the whole thing comes together. best, ann
Regina Garay
1088 days ago
Ann — all my full room pics came out fuzzy. (The close-up was passable so I posted it.) I really need to invest in a tripod. I am going back to my client’s house soon post-cabinetry & design and I will take more pics to post.
Lucinda
1088 days ago
wish I had one to try tomorrow with our modello lusterstone project. drats! I think I spied on of these in Andre’s tool kit last time he was in Portland.