I Just Don’t Have It Right Now…

But I promise to get it back soon!

You’ve probably noticed that this is the first time I’ve posted in a few weeks and I truly apologize for that. It has really been one of those summers that I can not force myself to be inside any longer than I have to be!

All 3 H’s have been in full effect in Boston for the past 4-6 weeks -- Hazy, Hot & Humid -- and I have to confess, I am loving it! Summer is definitely my favorite season, with warm temps that mean no socks, plenty of time at the beach, the smell of salt air, road trips with Matt and wide open windows, it really is tough to beat.

The problem of course is that makes it very tough to concentrate. Then throw in: painting jobs for Chucka Stone Designs, completing the edits and beginning to query agents for my full length manuscript, some new sewing inspirations for my Etsy shop, writing an article every couple weeks for the EcoEtsy team blog, and the chance to see a good friend who just moved back into town.

All of the above equal time of course, so the thing that had to fall off the back end was writing posts for Green Leaf Reviewer. Sorry loyal readers but if there is one thing I know about all of you its that not only do you understand but most of you are out enjoying your warmest season too! That is awesome and I truly hope you all have a super fun time doing whatever it is you’re doing. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know in fact!

I do promise not to take the rest of the summer off, there will be posts here and there when something amazing, cool, awesome, fun, funky or loveable passes across my desk, but it will definitely be sporadic until September.

Here are some of the amazing things I’ve been lucky enough to experience this summer.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Enjoy the few weeks we have left and I’ll see you all on the flip side!

Low VOC, No VOC, No Odor, or Stinky?

I recently started reading a Greenie blog called Green Living Q&A. The owner and editor, Debra, posts on a wide range of topics and although I had never commented before I have been an avid reader for the past couple of months since my sister introduced me to the site.

While catching up on blog reading, I came across a post where a reader had requested information regarding Acri Soy Grout Sealer and people’s impressions of it as a low VOC option. The reader went on to discuss a paint selection they had made long ago and how it had touted a no VOC claim but stunk to high heaven after it dried. (You can read the original question post here.)

As a decorative painter and Greenie this fueled me to post back a fairly lengthy comment with regards to the differences between VOC and odor as they are not the same.

“I don't have any familiarity with the grout sealer but am very curious to hear if anyone else does as tile is something we've considered doing and have looked into these types of grouts.

What I do know is that low VOC does not mean no odor when it comes to paint. VOC is the chemical gas that is released after or during the drying process, the odor is a separate beast all together and is not necessarily related to the environmental function of an item. An orange has an odor, a strong one at that, but it is pleasant & natural so it doesn't bother us. Just as an example.

As a painter & decorative finish artist my preference on paint (after trying MANY believe me!) has been either Benjamin Moore Eco-Spec or Sherwin Williams Harmony. They do still have an odor but the harmful chemicals will not linger as it dries. Benny just came out with Natura (no VOC even in the tints, no odor) that I haven't tried yet but plan to include in my arsenal. More expensive, true, but a far better quality paint and less harmful overall. Anyway, good luck with it!”

I imagine it is a common misconception in the world of building supplies, paint in particular, for consumers to think that reading ‘no VOC’ on the label means it won’t smell bad. That is not at all the case all the time.

Please also bear in mind that tinting paint will generally add VOCs to the latex base. So even if you are grabbing a 100% VOC free paint base off the shelf, the minute you ask the person at the counter to turn it into that beautiful color ‘Wildflower’, not only the colorants but, VOCs are added.

From all I’ve read, Home Depot sells an exclusive line called Freshaire Choice. A zero VOC paint, that apparently also makes use of 0% VOC in the tint as well, it is a considerable eco friendly option (recycled materials, soy based inks, even the paint chips can be recycled!). It is not a no odor paint however so bear that in mind when using it and ventilate properly while applying.

If I use Natura or Freshaire Choice to tint my ECOglaze, a truly safe finish will be applied. That’s kind of rad, I will definitely check it out.

I hope that my explanation helps to debunk the no VOC = no odor myth and that those interested in painting with no harmful gasses released (and also a less stinky environment) will shop wisely with a firm eye on the label of the item they’re buying.

Are there other paint options you love that are no VOC, low VOC, no odor or low odor that I may not have discussed here? Please share!

Faux Like A Pro ECOglaze Catching Up with Mark London

After my first article on this truly innovative product, Mark was gracious enough to send me out a sample to test it out for myself. Not only that but he was willing to take a few minutes to answer some of my questions regarding this glaze and the company as a whole. Thanks Mark!

A Professional Finisher’s Take

My initial reaction to this professional quality glaze was “awesome!!!”. I first used it to create a sample board of (my very favorite finish) tumbled tile. (Please note this is also a big part of why I’ve been so sparse of late but I promise to get back to posting full swing again!)

The glaze mixed into paint really smoothly and I had no issues tinting with universal pigments. It is a heavier base than a commercially sold version (Behr, Benjamin Moore, etc) and for us professionals that can be marvelous depending on the finish; it really resists sagging and running but it is important to note the open time (time it remains wet & workable) is reduced slightly. I can not wait for the full sizes to be available; this is a product that will be used for the vast majority of my finishes from now on!

The Skinny On FLAP Products Like ECOglaze

I asked a couple questions of the man in the know and here is what Mark had to say.

What got FLAP interested in moving in this Green direction?

Even though our "long open-time" glaze is still considered eco-friendly, we felt it was the only product in our line that needed a "green cousin" ... this is why we produced ECOglaze. All of our decorative plasters, pigments, waxes and varnishes have LOW VOC ratings. Our Venetian plasters are less than 50g. per liter.

When is the glaze going to be available to purchase in larger quantities?

We're shooting for an April, 2010 launch.

Will it come in both quart and gallon sizes?

Because this product is marketed to contractors and professionals, it will be sold in gallons. This will enable us to provide discount pricing. A 4-gallon case is only $49.95 per gallon. Most other glazes in this class sell for $55-$65/gallon.

Is this an item you intend to work into your classes?

Yes. We will use this glaze to teach marbleizing, wood graining and other conducive surfaces.

Based on the success of this product would you consider Greening up other products in your line?

Our line has been eco-friendly since 2001 when we produced the original formulas. We intend on keeping true to our Eco Mission.

How It Is Leaf Rated

How cool is that? I can personally attest to the stability and function of many of their other eco products; as a professional finisher I have to say there is nothing quite like using a product that not only does what it says its going to do but doesn’t make me feel yucky while using it. One of my all time favorites is their varnish top coats, specifically the dead flat. I haven’t stumbled across another that comes close to its equal in durability, low odor and performance.

Because they are so committed to keeping their impact as low as possible as well as the fact that the ECOglaze does exactly what it says it will do, I am granting it a Four Leaf Rating!

Faux Like A Pro is so committed to the planet as well as providing beautiful finishing materials and tools for the professional finisher at a price we can afford. You are way ahead of the curve! ♥love♥

Faux Like A Pro Goes Greener with ECOglaze

Many of you know that I run my own business, Chucka Stone Designs, as a professional Wall Artist installing specialty faux treatments using products such as paints, glazes and plasters. Wall finishing gained a bad rep after the ragging and sponging techniques of the 80’s and 90’s went out of fashion, but there are worlds of options for cool finishes aside from those old school ones that I couldn’t even begin to list them all here! I love my job and enjoy beautifying someone’s living or working environment but as a Greenie I have frequently asked myself, how do I justify working with paint?

For a long time I was conflicted about my abilities because some of the best materials presented potential environmental hazards such as harmful off gassing. So to ensure I was still being as environmentally responsible as possible I off set by reusing materials and searching out the most eco friendly selections on the market. So you can imagine my elation when just last week I read about one of my favorite suppliers, Faux Like A Pro, having introduced a brand new glaze to the market called ECOglaze.

The product is a water based, low-VOC glaze that is non-toxic and presents no odor. When they say low-VOC, the glaze presents at 200g per liter. As compared to their original low-VOC, water based glazing option, at only 150g per liter but which presents an odor and can be toxic, the new ECOglaze is a clear winner.

I have sent a request out to the company to get a little bit of additional information as to the difference between the two options, and if I receive a sample of ECOglaze to give it a go I will definitely be posting a follow up review here. But for now I just wanted to give a shout to one of my favorite faux products providers and say how excited I am to be back out there again, especially seeing innovative materials such as this so I can present even healthier options to my clients!

Thanks for keeping a solid eye on the planet Faux Like A Pro! ♥love♥

It Is Time to get In the Tiny Garden!

Well almost. But it is certainly time to get things ready. Here in the Boston area the days are getting longer and warmer and that brings up all kinds of thoughts about Farmer’s Markets with fresh produce as well as vibrantly colored flowers like crocus and daffodil pushing their way toward the sun to welcome back its warmth. In the next couple weeks the snow might even melt back enough to begin turning soil for planting our own yumminess. For those who enjoy it, there is nothing quite like getting their hands (and knees!) dirty to sow their harvest.

But what about those of us who live in apartment buildings? Are we shunned from the gardening world simply because we have nothing more than a balcony or patio? The answer is no! Not only can it be fun but it might even look better than the neighbor’s back yard garden when all is said and done.

Flower pots with some soil can be gorgeous and plentiful in limited outdoor spaces. Consider using many different sizes, stagger in groupings of odd numbers and vary the color and type of plant grown in them to bring great interest to the space. Bring in small tables to house smaller pots, place larger ones in the back. Have fun with it!

If your outdoor space is very plain in general why not paint the outside of the pots a vibrant color or pattern? Old kitchen sponges that are too gross to wash dishes with can be great stamping devices. Wet the sponge and wring out the excess water then use a couple different sizes and several paints in similar colors or tones to create depth in the finish. This looks especially wonderful (and holds up great) on terracotta pots. On plastic a top coat would be beneficial to ensure the look lasts.

Why not check craigslist, freecycle, yard sales or even the local newspaper to see if there is anyone looking to get rid of a small bistro table and chairs? Those old sofa pillows that are about ready to kick the bucket make great outdoor cushions when using a water resistant fabric to cover them such as vinyl. Check with fabric stores or online for remnants that will be less expensive, or free depending where they are located.

In our situation we have an even greater challenge -- our balcony is north facing so we get just about zero sun. This year we are planning to plant produce but shade loving plants like some lettuce, scallions and broccoli. Doing research about your specific climate and conditions is key to a successful growing season.

For those with no outdoor space, a window sill is a great spot for a lovely planter. Or get creative! Install an L bracket shelf system directly under a window that gets a lot of sun and place some sun loving plant filled pots on top to enjoy.

An apartment can be just as fun for a gardener as a large outdoor space if the residents use their creativity in approaching the spring growing season.

What are your tips for growing plants in small spaces?

In Support of the Arts

As an independent, artsy type person it makes me crazy to hear that programs, or other essentials toward the development of creativity in America’s youth, get cut from public schools. Many of you know that aside from my love for writing, I also run a multi-faceted company called Chucka Stone Designs which is 100% artistic work and I would not be where I am today without the ability to try out different artistic endeavors through encouragement of teachers while I was growing up.

Math, English, Science, History -- yes these are the big subjects deemed most important by the school system as they provide a foundation of knowledge toward expansion of that information down the line. It is true that without at least a moderate and basic level of learning in these subjects it would be very difficult to function in daily society (2+2=4, house is a noun, H2O creates water, Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776). My concern is that without the addition of creative based subjects to a curriculum, such as Art or Music, there will be less and less distinction between children as they are not encouraged to express their individuality and interests openly.

So what can we do to ensure the Arts remain a supported and important part of the school curriculum across the nation so every child has a chance to decide if there is something of interest for them personally within that arena?

One of the strongest ways we can show support is to donate! Get in touch with your local school system and see if there is an organization or program set up which accepts donations in any form -- monetary, product or even time. Time can be one of the best donations so do not overlook this. Do you run your own successful business in an artistic capacity? Why not go and talk to students about it or better yet, schedule a demonstration for how to create one of what you do!

Another great way to show support is to purposefully become a patron of independent artists. Go out on a Friday night and listen to an unsigned band play and then pick up their disc after the show while you thank them for doing what they do. Get over to a site like Etsy and browse through the thousands of shops run by independent owners then pick up something completely unique for your Mom’s birthday gift. Pop into a local poetry reading, buy furniture hand crafted by the guy down the street, paint your own picture to hang on your living room wall -- the opportunities to show thanks for the many ways artists contribute to our culture and society are endless!

Why not sign a petition indicating your support of art as it would trickle down from the highest level? Something I came across recently while checking out Bushwalla’s tour schedule was he provided a link to an online petition encouraging President Barack Obama to create a Secretary of the Arts position in his cabinet. I felt this was a fantastic idea as many other nations have similar positions and we never have. The idea was started by Quincy Jones and I was signature number 235797. It was one small step but it felt good knowing I was doing even a little something to encourage arts remain a strong part of our country’s daily life. Please consider signing the Secretary of the Arts petition.

I will continue to create through words, paint and fabric on a daily basis as well as continue to support the creative endeavors of as many artists as possible. What do you do to show support for the arts? I want to hear about it so we can continue to learn from each other!

Further Exploring Milk Paint

A couple days ago we went over a home improvement list and one of the items I mentioned as being a Greener option to latex based paints was milk paint. I received a comment from Ginger, my favorite Vegan With A Purpose, who raised an excellent point with regard to obtaining the milk for the paint. She said:

okay, i have to say it: i can definitely see how milk would be a much safer option than some nasty chemical, but considering how much land space and food it takes to sustain one cow for that milk, not to mention the consequences to her and her children, i don't think i'd call it environmentally friendly. i do like that brick wall finish though. :)

First off, thanks for the compliment on the brick (latex, fyi). Second what an interesting point with regard to the environment! It is no secret that, although I have greatly reduced my intake of anything with a face, I am still a carnivore so this was something I had not considered. In addition, I pride myself on being environmentally aware as I do my day job of painting so I was even more intrigued to dig into this question with gusto!

Ginger you raise a very interesting point with regard to milk based paints. I must admit that I have never used these paints (primarily why I suggested to try Eco Spec) so I went digging to do more research on their composition, mostly to see if milk paint is actually made from milk.

Milk paints generally come in pigmented powder form and are mixed with a liquid. The milk comes from salts of casein (the protein found in cow's milk so yes, in its truest form milk paint is actually made from the proteins of milk). The casein is the binding agent which allows the pigment be transferred to a hard surface (this is why once the powder is wet it will actually spoil, just like milk).

Before I lose everyone let me share a few key points about paint and some of the terms associated with it.

Paint is typically made up of three substances: Pigment, Liquid and Binder. When we go to a home improvement store and pull a pre-mixed can of Navajo White off the shelf we are purchasing tint (pigment), water (liquid) and latex (binder). Pigments can be derived from sources found in nature (blueberries, grapes) or created as chemical compounds in a factory. The liquid (water, oil, milk, etc) is used solely as a carrier to ensure the pigment can move across a surface and it will eventually evaporate. A binder holds the pigment and liquid together and is generally a resin of some kind (an organic substance derived from plants) which allows the pigment to attach to the liquid for application.

A fourth substance sometimes used in conjunction with paint, but not always included, is called Extender. Common uses are: for increasing length of drying (open time) or leveling (ability to spread) such as glaze, to act as a mildew resistant and, moisture repellant. When selecting extenders be sure to utilize similar properties to the selected paint -- “water and oil don’t mix”!

It is important to note the subsequent evaporation of the liquid in a paint is where the bulk of VOC will come into play. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds and are the gasses emitted into the atmosphere as a liquid dries (evaporates). This is why many painters choose to avoid alkyd (oil) paints as their solvent make up is higher. Paint might be dry to the touch in an hour or so but paint will not fully cure (dry & bond) for at least 30 days, if extenders are added it is longer and all that time gasses are being released into the space it inhabits.

So with all that said, why is milk paint a less safe alternative since it likely utilizes 100% all natural based ingredients?

As Ginger indicated it is all about the cows. To raise just four cows it is advisable to garner upwards of two acres of land. (Sadly I could not locate the exact proportion of casein to additional substances so I was not able to determine an exact number of milk required to produce one bag of paint, but for kicks let’s say it is the four). In this projection, for every bag of milk paint we would need two acres of land. These four cows would need to be fed and given water as well…and then look out for the methane gasses produced. It is estimated that upwards of twenty percent of the methane found in the atmosphere is simply from cows breathing. The more cows, the more they breathe, the more methane, the quicker that ozone layer deteriorates.

So what is a good faux finisher, painter, homeowner and environmentalist to do?

We weigh the options and determine the most environmentally sound one for our own personal benefit. Ginger is a vegan, therefore would be hard pressed to ever consider using a dairy based substance on her wall. Although not a vegan, I am concerned with the environment which leads me to use latex based paint for a few reasons.

First, more methane is produced from cows than harmful gasses are produced in the creation of latex based paints. Second, since milk paint would spoil if left to its own devices, a sealant top coat is required. That is twice the water to wash brushes and twice the product being created. Third, latex paint is readily available meaning I can purchase it from a local source if I so choose, which reduces transportation to get it to me. Finally, I am not nervous about the health risks to my respiratory system or the emission of VOC into the atmosphere due to the introduction of products like Eco Spec or other paint labeled as No VOC (be mindful that some chemicals are still emitted even with Zero VOC paints).

The bottom line is always “think globally, act locally”. Consider the overall environmental impact to the planet but make smart choices based on your own personal environment.