Welcome back, sweet friends! Today I’m finally playing with Dixie Belle’s new Terra Clay Paint line!
I had never used clay paint before, so I was excited to try something new. However, there is a new hard wax that goes with the line that I have been waiting on. Dixie Belle was delayed in receiving the wax, but it will be in next week.
I didn’t want to wait any longer, so I decided to have fun with it using this case that I picked up at the thrift store for $6:
I’ve been seeing lots of color being used together when using these paints. You can really have fun with them! I don’t do a lot of bold color as you know, but when I came across a gorgeous dresser from fellow Dixie Belle retailer, Julie from The Chalked Feather who has her items for sale at House To Home in Clearwater, FL (You will LOVE her page and her shop!!), I was inspired to use those colors on something!
Here is what she used together on her dresser:
This is Moon Beam, London Blue, and Blue Agave:
Clean
I started with a good cleaning with White Lightning using a terrycloth applicator pad, which is perfect for this job:
Ooh it was dirtier than it looked!
I swapped my water for clean water and wiped it down once more, and this piece was ready for paint.
Terra Clay Paint
That is all the prep needed with Terra Clay paint, so I was able to get right to painting!
I was creating a similar look to my inspiration piece, so I started with the darkest color on the bottom, London Blue:
Then, with a clean brush, I immediately added the next layer in Blue Agave:
One thing I love about the Terra Clay Paint is how beautifully the colors blend together!
I finished with the closest color to white in this line, Moon Beam which is more of an off-white/cream color, on the top…
This was already dry here as you can see, and once the paint dries, it lightens significantly. However, once it is sealed it will darken back some.
I wanted full coverage, so once everything was good and dry, I started at the bottom once again:
I had let that bottom color dry while I took a phone call, but Terra Clay paint can easily be reactivated with water.
I just used my continuous mist spray bottle to mist between the layers before adding my next layer and it blended beautifully! It’s in the process of drying here:
I loved using this paint!
You can layer and layer and layer again to get a look you love! It blends so easily, and if you love a distressed look, it sands like a dream!
Sand
I sanded this all over very lightly just to smooth out any texture. Clay-based paint does have more texture than most paints, but it smoothed out so lovely with a little sanding.
Seal
Chalk Mineral paint and the Silk line do not require a topcoat. They will cure and harden and be really durable as is. Terra Clay does need to be sealed. I had hoped to wait for the new hard Terra Wax to try it out, but I went ahead and used Best Dang Wax instead just to get some protection on it. It still worked great.
If you do not want to disturb the paint at all, wait about 24 hours before sealing.
One of the benefits of the new hard wax is that it is oil-based and creates almost a hard shell coating to protect your finish. That will be awesome for furniture! I will be able to order that next Wednesday and should have it in stock the following week.
UPDATE! Terra Wax is in stock and available HERE now!
I also have the Terra Seal which is like the Clear Coat in Flat in stock. You can also use the Clear Coat in Satin or Gator Hide to seal.
The After
Here is how this pretty case looks now!
I love the coastal vibe of this mix of colors!
The little bit of distressing you see in the darker blue below occurred when I was buffing the wax a little too hard, but I love it!
I can’t wait to use this paint on a piece of furniture next.
The inside just got a simple paint job…
I did have to add a cute tag to the handle like I like to do with my baskets sometimes…
I cut this one from some scrap wood using my miter saw:
Then I gave it a base of London Blue:
I decided to embellish it with part of a stencil I had in my stash. To adhere it well and prevent the paint from bleeding, I sprayed a little spray adhesive on the back first.
Then I painted it in with Moon Beam using a small brush:
A quick sanding once it was dry and a quick seal with Best Dang Wax, and this little addition to the handle of this case was complete!
I paired it with a key that I also painted and attached them both with thin jute twine:
What a fun piece this was to work on!
Terra Clay is available in 18 beautiful colors!
They are all available in my shop HERE!
And I’m moving right through this pile o’treasures!
If you missed any so far, you can catch up below:
Tea Kettle Makeover
Tray Update with Stencils
Painting the Smalls #18
How to Turn a Spindle Bed into a Bench
Dated Shelf Makeover
80’s Clock Repurposed
Stenciled Demilune Table
DIY Fabric Lamp Shades & $5 Thrift Store Lamps
Thrift Store Dresser Makeover
Meet me back here on Tuesday with my Trash-to-Treasure girls where I’ll be sharing what I did with this chair from my hubby’s office that was heading for the trash!!
I hope to see you then!
UPDATE: No need to wait! See how I totally updated this heavy piece HERE now!
Have a wonderful weekend!
XOXO,
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Janette says
Beautiful colours, I love how t turned out.
Can’t wait to see whats next, that chair is gorgeous, I don’t believe you would take it to the dump!!! xx
Christy says
Thank you, Janette! No, I wound’t, but my hubby almost tossed it in the dumpster behind his office lol! At the last minute, he called to see if I wanted it. 🙂 XOXO
Denise Cox says
Love the colors… and cute embellishment!
Please use this paint line again..🙃
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! I definitely plan to! Have a great weekend! XOXO
susan says
That really turned out pretty. That’s usually not my style but I like it! So what exactly is the difference between chalk paint and this new Terra Clay Paint? And can you use the new hard wax over chalk paint?
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! The clay paint is clay-based while the chalk paint is chalk-based, but some of the properties are similar. The differences are that the clay paint can be reactivated with water, so you can keep working. It layers and blends really nicely and with more ease than the chalk paint. It also is a bit thicker and has a bit more texture than chalk paint. The more I use it, the better I will be able to share the differences and I will do a comparison post. As for the wax, yes it can be used on chalk paint as well. XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
It turned out so beautiful! How fun that Dixie Bell keeps coming out with new paint lines for you to play with! You do their paint line proud!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Mary! I do enjoy getting to try new things for sure! XOXO
LORRI says
Oh it turned out so pretty. I love the way you can blend in the colours like that. I also love your staging. Everything goes together so nicely. The blue book with the with the sea shells under the dome with the sea shell swag. Dang Girl, you have coastal down pat. I do coastal in my family room for summer, I put away till next year but I’m going to remember some of your ideas. Imitation is the best form of flattery..😍
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lorri! This paint blends so nicely! And I had fun staging this one as I love all things coastal. The shell swag is one I made many years ago and shared here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/diy-shell-garland/ but I forgot to link to it in the post. Have a great weekend!! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! What pretty colors. No have used a clay paint and it does blend beautifully. Can’t wait to try it!
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! It really does blend beautifully, and I love how easy it was to distress also…looking forward to a good distressed piece of furniture with it! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
Cute makeover and I love these colors! I have a few jars of the Terra but I haven’t tried them yet…can’t wait! Enjoy your weekend my friend! XOXO
Christy says
Thank you so much, my sweet friend! I love these colors together, and I’ve been wanting to try this paint on something. I can’t wait to see what beautiful things you create with it! XOXO
Vicki says
So cute, Christie!! Love the ombre paint and color choice.
It would be perfect in my Huntington Beach home!
Christy says
Thank you, Vicki! Oh yes, for sure! XOXO
Niki says
Ooooo pretty Christy!! I really like the ombré effect. I generally like anything coastal as long at it’s not kitschy. This is great. I hope to see you use more colors in this line. Have a great weekend!!
Christy says
Thank you, Niki! I’m the same…I like a subtle, classic coastal. I’m excited to see what else I can do with this paint! XOXO
Cyndi says
That is so pretty!! Yes, your little uh-oh’s look great on this! Buff away! 😉
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! Right? I can’t wait to try this on a piece of furniture! XOXO
Cecilia says
That turned out so cool. Interested in how it will work on furniture. Sounds like a fun paint to work with!
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I will try that next for sure! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
I’m so glad to see how the Terra looks and how to use it! I love the Ombre effect with those colors; it transformed an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan. I’ll be sure to check out Julie’s page!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! It is such a fun paint to use! Yes…you will love definitely her page! XOXO
MrsSW says
Thanks for showing the Terra Clay Paints – those colors are really intense. Like you, I don’t use bright colors very often but I will keep an eye out for something that HAS to be noticed. 😉
Sheila
Christy says
My pleasure, Sheila! Yes…find just the perfect piece! XOXO
Karen Moore says
Super coastal vibe. I love it!
Christy says
Thank you, Karen! XOXO
Lizzy says
It turned out beautifully. I’d like to try that paint sometime. Some of those colors are really pretty.
I have a question. Why do you prefer White Lightning over TSP or Simple Green?
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! There are some great colors in this line for sure! I believe TSP is the main ingredient in White Lightning. 🙂 XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Another piece I would have passed up, and it looks so lovely now, Christy! I’m not a fan of the wild color blending, but a more subtle color transition like this one is very appealing to me. Looking forward to seeing you use the new paint on more projects.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I feel the same about all the wild colors. I’m definitely looking forward to my next project with this paint! XOXO
Petra says
This turned out so pretty. I reckon you could do this look on a chest of drawers too for a child’s bedroom ☺️ Have a lovely weekend xo
Christy says
Thanks, Petra! Absolutely! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Denise says
Once again Christy you have done a great job. Can you use clay paint on something slick without using Slick Stick first
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! Just like chalk paint, I would still Slick Stick any surfaces like laminate, glass, metal, or a piece with heavy shiny shellac, but most wood surfaces should be fine. XOXO
shan says
That turned out so cute! I love blending colors, and this looks so great. I really need to try the adding a tag thing. It looks so cute and some things just need a little something! Perfect!
Christy says
Thank you, Shan! I don’t blend enough, but I really love it too. And yes, sometimes that little tag is the perfect finishing touch! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
I LOVE those colors! There’s so many paints and so many colors, I need to redo my tv cabinet but I just don’t know what to use anymore! This is making it even more difficult. LOL
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! I know…so many options for sure! XOXO