Greetings to all.  Happy New Year 2008!

Several new and exciting things are happening here at the Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes.  First of all we would like to welcome our newest member of the CIFF Family:  Bella Gucci.  Bella is Kathy’s new puppy.  She is adorable - white with chocolate brown ears.

Birth date:  October 10, 2007
Arrival date: meaning Kathy’s arms 12/12/07
Gender:  Female
Breed:  Havanese

The Havanese is a small sturdy dog of immense charm.  She is slightly longer than tall, and covered with a profuse mantle of untrimmed long, silky, wavy hair.  Her plumed tail is carried loosely curled over her rump.  A native of Cuba, she has evolved over the centuries from the pampered lap dog of the aristocracy into what she is today - the quintessential family pet of a people living on a small tropical island.  Her duties traditionally have been those of companion, watchdog, and child’s playmate.

WOOD ICING™

In January 2008 we are introducing a new product to CIFF - Wood Icing™. This product is great for transforming furniture, cabinets or artifacts into custom creations.  Turn trash to treasure with Wood Icing™. The possibilities are endless. Just imagine your old weathered coffee table, updated with a faux finish leather or reptile texture, given new life with Wood Icing™ refinishing product.  Boring kitchen and bathroom cabinets take on a completely new personality when Wood Icing™ is used to enhance them.

ELEARNING

The Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes and Faux by Kathy are delighted to present eLearning for the faux finishing industry with www.LearnFauxNow.com.  Imagine learning new finishes in the privacy of your own studio or home, at your own pace and within your own time frame.  Each LearnFauxNow class includes three different finishes adding new dimensions to your portfolio.  LearnFauxNow makes it not only easy but also cost effective.  You will learn a variety of unique finishes without having to travel or take time off from work.  The cost includes a complete kit with boards and product.

After ordering your LearnFauxNow class, you will be shipped a kit which includes the supplies necessary for the class along with instructions on how to obtain your login and password.  The password is available for 14 days from the time you receive it via email.

LearnFauxNow puts you in control; learn at your own pace, print out notes and step-by-step instructions to help you retain what you learn.  Tips and tricks are also included in the course as you walk through the techniques with step-by-step photos and video.  The first class offered will be finishes from the ever-popular “You Got Waxed” class taught at CIFF.  So why not join us and allow your imagination to flow freely.  After all, “Your Imagination is Your only Limitation.”

ON-LINE FREIGHT CHARGES

The rising cost of gasoline and trucking has had an effect on CIFF too.  Unfortunately, www.fauxbykathy.com - the online store -  needed to raise its shipping rates to cover these higher costs.  The new shipping rates took place on January 1st and are as follows:

NOTE:  If the actural charge is less, the lower amount will be billed.

JEWELSTONE

Our featured product of the newsletter is JewelStone.  JewelStone is an acrylic modified cementitious coating designed for use over existing concrete and masonry, both interior and exterior.  JewelStone can be textured, colored, and patterned to replicate a wide variety of finishes such as stone, brick, tile, slate, and more.  Once sealed, JewelStone is virtually water-impermeable, allowing it to be used in areas where water would otherwise pose a problem.  JewelStone is available in standard white or if a colored JewelStone is desired, there is a selection of several standard colors.  Colors include: Almond, Aztec Red, Black, Chamois, Champagne, Chocolate Brown, Moss Green, Sahara Beige, and Terracotta.

LEARN FAUX NOW CONTEST

http://www.talkfaux.com

There will be 3 winners, each will win a class from my new e-Learning site Learn Faux Now.

To enter the contest, submit a photo of any red or pink finish.  This can be any type of finish and does not have to be completely red or pink, but should be the majority.  This must be your own work.

To upload your photo go to the gallery and click on the contest category. 

To vote, click on Rate Picture under the photo.  Comments are nice, but do not count in the vote.

Photo's will be accepted until February 10 and winner's announced on February 14th.

Please do not be intimidated.  Remember that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.  So get your finish up there.