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15 projects, full page bleeds, real people's homes, lots and lots of gorgeous photographs by Paige French, and writings about home and what shaped and influenced my design ideas.I am so very excited about my new book "Furniture Makes the Room" which comes out this Spring!Are you ready?xo,Barb 

creativebug :: free pass

If you all have not checked out my classes on the creativebug site .....now is the time! Part 1 and Part 2 are available now...and in a few weeks Part 3 will release.. and it is all about wallpapering on furniture!There is a free pass promotion going on now, so click here and enter promo code SUMMER2015 to take advantage of the goodness! There are so many things to see and learn on the creativebug site! Fill your summer with creativity and make beautiful things!

a magical day :: creating with the best

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of collaborating with some really amazing people! Rachel Faucett of Handmade Charlotte contacted me about a new paint line making its debut and wanted to know if I would paint and create with her! Would I EVER! Rachel is one of the most creative, energetic, hilarious, and generous people that I am privileged to know....and any chance I can get to spend time with her is A ok with me!You can read all about our day together here, and if you want the full scoop on the new paint line visit here for the tutorial and the deets!Head to your local Walmart to pick up some paint, and know that I painted this entire dresser with ONE bottle....which will cost you all of eight bucks! The clear wax is amazing too.....probably on of my favorite new products. It pours out and applies very much like a polyurethane! How cool is that!?Thank you Waverly, Plaid, Walmart, and Rachel Faucett for a super fun time.....and thank you Paige French for the amazing photography! (as always!)Have a great weekend!xo,Barb 

furniture refinishing with barb blair (me!) :: creativebug classes

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfUrAw5AzJo[/embed]Well friends....Part 1 of my online class series is up and running at Creativebug! (if you click on the creativebug link it will take you directly to my class page!)I hope you will enjoy this promo video, and that you will join me for some furniture refinishing fun!Lets get creative, and design cool things together!xo,Barb

earth day :: the new "gem" bulb by nanoleaf

So....you know how most LED light bulbs are just not that design friendly? At least that is how I have always felt. While there is a part of me that wants to save money and energy, the designer in me cringes at the options available.......until now.Introducing the brand new "gem" LED bulb by nanoleaf ! How awesome is this option!? The "gem" launches today...in honor of earth day....because:  "it's time the world had the option to choose a beautiful decor bulb that is also good for the planet" - nanoleafSince this is an LED bulb it has a very long life expectancy, so the value is clear to see....AND this light puts off beautiful warm light! No weird blue light special here!Check these guys out on facebook and instagram !xo,Barb(full disclosure: I was sent a complimentary gem light bulb from nanoleaf, but I would not have promoted it if I did not think it was absolutely brilliant. Pun intended. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post.)

creativebug :: online painting classes with knack

Hey everyone! I am so sorry that I have been a little bit silent around here the last couple of weeks!I had a really big and unexpected opportunity come up and I dove in with everything that I had. It went really, really well and I will be able to tell you about it at the end of the week! Yay! You don't have to wait long!AND....to tide you over....my online classes are launching THIS THURSDAY! I am so excited to share these classes with you all!I filmed these classes with a company called Creativebug and I absolutely cannot say enough about them! The team from Creativebug was an absolute joy and they were so skilled and professional. The week we spent together was long and tiring, but in the end new friendships were forged, great work was accomplished, and I totally cried when we all had to hug goodbye. I love you Brian, Devlin and Courtney! Thanks for being amazing at what you do!I'll be back Wednesday with more info on where to go and how to sign up!Get Ready!xo,Barb

this week :: happenings

It is hard to think that another week has flown by yet again. So often I am reminded of how fleeting life is and how quickly it moves.This week was full of challenges and blessings, which is what all good weeks should be full of....right?There was coffee with dear friends....twice....at Methodical coffee and The Village Grind.There was the Makers Summit, which filled me to the brim with happiness for the creative community that I am so blessed to be a part of.There was brunch with a new friend (pictured above, Rachel Faucett) and then an after hours visit to my shop with that same friend where we talked more about how much we love our kids than what was in my shop....and that is a treasure for sure. Most people think I want to talk about the shop most of the time....but even though I am proud of that and love it.... I really want you to know me for who I am outside the shop.There were moments of greatness at the shop where I sent in proposals for new opportunities, met with artists about collaborations, ordered new product, and sent off all of the content for the new Knack website! (yippee!)Now it is late Friday afternoon....I am home.....and there is a pork tenderloin in the oven for dinner tonight which I will make bread, salad and roasted asparagus to go with. I will sit around the dinner table and catch up with my sweet family as we have all had a busy, and full week. Then it will be pajama time.....and maybe a movie.....or two...or maybe some reading....Happy weekending...and much love to you all!( UPDATE: if you would like to buy a t shirt like the one I am wearing, here is the link: www.lovethyhaters.co )xo,Barb 

shop snippets :: weekend happenings

I thought I would share a few glimpses that were captured around the shop this week, and share a little bit about the activities of the weekend!First of all, I am very excited to both speak at, and attend my third Makers Summit right here in my home town of Greenville, SC ! This event always proves to be a wonderful time of creative learning and refreshment....not to mention....the PEOPLE! I always walk away with new friends and mentors and that is a wonderful thing! I have heard from several of you that are coming from all over the country...and I am excited to meet you for the first time, and hug the necks of those of you I have met previously on my travels!Also, First Fridays is tomorrow night from 6-9 pm here in the Village of West Greenville! Knack will be open as well as our other friends in the village: Lily Pottery, Art and Light, The Village Grind, Joseph Bradley Studios, Matthew Campbell Studios, Charlie Mae, The Station...and more! Art and Light is having a special show called "12 Friends Bit by Bit" and it is an event that should not be missed!The weather will be gorgeous and warm, so come on down to the Village and immerse yourself in the creative hub of the city!I hope you all have a great weekend!xo,Barb