Art & Alchemy by Jess

09/15/2026

A little behind the scenes action you don't typically get to see 😊 I had to pull apart a coffee table that happens to be cherry. I rarely get a chance to play around with this species of wood because it's pricey, so I decided to try out some stains and a new paint wash technique. I used the underside of the bottom shelf, which has drawers under it, so no one will ever see it unless they knock the whole thing apart again 😅
It's not visible, but all 40 are numbered and I have them all written down so I can reference it in the future 😁 I'm kinda obsessed with the paint wash technique. They're mainly the ones on the right upper side. You apply a white paint wash, let it dry and then apply a stain over it. I just wish I tried it sooner 😅

09/13/2026

I've had a few recent shares that I'm unable to see due to Facebook privacy reasons 😔 Please know I appreciate you, even if I'm not able to tell you that when you share ❤️

09/12/2026

09/12/2026

The bench is DONE!!!! It's finally done!!!😅 It's been professionally refinished/reupholstered with quality products and fabric and will now forever be one of a kind 🥰
Little confession...I did contemplate using AI to stage this in someone's home or office that would match and bring out it's amazing detail, but I decided against it. It's an absolutely gorgeous day outside, so why not use that to my advantage 😁

I haven't come up with a price for this one just yet but plan to list it in about a week on marketplace. I found one in it's more original state (fair to good condition) on Cherish that's listed for $895, but I won't be asking that high.
If you're interested, please send me a private message. Im willing to deliver/ meet up to an hour away (from Binghamton, NY). If you're thinking about having it shipped, please know the price of shipping will unfortunately be astronomical, which is why I'm trying to sell it locally.

09/07/2026

Here's a couple pictures of the reupholstering progress with the bench I've been working on. I ended up having to go back and tighten up the fabric on the seat, which is fairly common when working on things like this. The arms/ sides ended up being a little more challenging than expected. I typically take a lot of pictures when I'm pulling things apart, but I removed the original fabric from this many years ago and didn't know back then to take pictures 😅 I have a couple of tiny touch ups left to do today and then it's done! I can't wait to show you how it looks all put together! 😁

07/10/2026

I haven't posted in awhile, and honestly might not for awhile again 😅 Currently going through burnout, but also have a ton of house projects on my list to do, and that typically replaces my motivation and energy for my art pieces 😬 I will try to get the bench and bird mirror shelf done in the next month or two, and will post them when done and ready to sell. I hope everyone is having a nice summer so far. Make sure you get outside and have some fun ❤️

06/28/2026

I'm feeling a little defeated. In the past month, I've dealt with 2 different scammers 😓 One made it so far that we were customizing that bird mirror (hanging wall shelf) for them. I went out and spent over $130 on fancy wood and supplies so that I could get a better idea of weight for shipping costs, and then (after communicating for a week and them acting completely onboard) their profile magically disappeared and I could no longer reach them 😡 Lesson learned.

In the future, I will likely only be selling locally. Shipping costs for heavier items/ weird shaped items is really high at the moment (over $100) and I HAVE shopped around. If you are someone looking for something customized and/or want it shipped, I'll need a deposit up front before we start the process. Hopefully that will help deter the scammers. Sigh 😥

06/25/2026

Fun little side quest! My Mom had an old birdhouse decoration that she wanted made over to put on her front porch. I didn't get a good before picture, but originally it was painted red white and blue and had textured wood on the outside. She wanted sunflower decals on it (to match her other decor) which would be difficult to add to a textured surface, so I knocked the whole thing apart and reversed the boards in the middle to be able to do so. I also made a new homemade version of chalk paint that I like a LOT more than my previous recipe (just mix in a little joint compound to pretty much any interior wall paint and viola!). It went on so smoothly and no little white specks left behind, which is a big win! I delivered it today and she's thrilled 🥰 The last picture was it in place on her front porch 😊

06/18/2026

Just placed an order for the winning fabric you all voted on awhile back. It's expected to arrive by July 6th. I'm so excited 😁

(Photo borrowed from Etsy review)