Hochanda

We're thrilled that Nikki Killinger is back at Hochanda HQ next week - we loved this stunning, shabby chic key cabinet from Creativ Company so much we asked them for a step-by-step project, so you can create them too! Nikki is live on Hochanda this Tuesday 1st November at 10am, 1pm and 5pm.  Step 1 Paint the key cabinet with Chalky Vintage Look paint (1 of 2 colours in the process) two or three times. NB: light colours = several coats. Leave to dry between each coat. Step 2 Paint the wooden key cabinet once with the other of the two colours in the process. Leave to dry. Step 3 Paint the outside of the key cabinet with the other of the two colours in the process. Leave to dry. In order to achieve the slightly worn look, sand with 80 grit sand paper. Step 4 Apply wax at the end. This provides a lovely finish and protects against damp, allowing the key cabinet to be wiped with a damp cloth. You can watch Hochanda live  onlin...

Decoupage is a beautiful craft that everyone can get involved, regardless of your experience! We’re so excited that we asked the lovely Nikki Killenger to give us a quick step-by-step on how to create this beautiful plant pot before she join us to demonstrate the incredible Decopatch products next week!  Step 1.  Choose your paper’s and prepare all the items you want to work with. Step 2.  Tear or cut your papers, according to your design. For this design I have used scissors as I wanted a band around the pot, but usually you can just tear your papers. Step 3.  Decant some glue into a smaller pot to make it easier.  Apply glue to enough of an area to put your first piece of paper. Step 4.  Apply paper, you can pick the paper up on your brush to place it. Smooth the paper onto your item from the centre out. Step 5.  Build up your pattern, butting your papers up to each othe...

We’re so thrilled to be welcoming Decopatch to the Hochanda family that we wanted to share with you just some of the incredible affects you can create with Decoupage.  What is Decoupage?  The word decoupage comes from the French verb découper, 'to cut out'. The decoupage technique can be used to personalise items in your home - the best thing is that the designs can be as simple or as complex as you like. Simply, decoupage involves cutting out pictures, gluing them to an object and then coating the pictures and the object with layers of varnish. Decoupage is a great craft, it’s super easy to do and you can pretty much decoupage anything; from a tired chest of draws to decorative letters, it’ll easily spruce up any item in a short space of time!  Image Source: Wunderweib Decoupage – the basic technique Decoupage is a simple yet effective way of personalising your items, so before you begin here’s a step by step of the basic technique. Once...

We're so thrilled to welcome Melissa Waudby of Simply Vintage to the Hochanda family! We took some time to sit down with her and get to know her before her first live show on Thursday 21st April at 10am!  How did you get into vintage up-cycling? I come from a long line of hoarders and make do-ers, so it is in my blood. I can never throw anything away or recycle without first thinking ‘what can I make with that?’.  I have always been creative and resourceful, as a teenager I tried my hand at making jewellery to earn a little extra pocket money, then after a spell at Drama school and working as an actress i used my creative thriftiness to make costumes and props for our theatre production company - which usually consisted of huge wild plans, but with teeny tiny budgets! The turning point for my career was during preparations for our wedding in 2010, we decided to have a big celebration back in my home county of Yorkshire after getting married in Las Vegas, wi...

This Sunday is DIY Day at Hochanda. Why not start a project or finish one that you have been meaning to complete? Here are a series of possible ideas to get you started! Upcycle That Are you the type of person who hates to throw anything away? If so, why not turn your unwanted items into gorgeous DIY projects. You could customise and upcycle a piece of your furniture using our fantastic chalk paints that come in a wide variety of colours. Upcycling will not only revamp your decor but you will also be helping the environment by reducing our footprint. Two birds with one stone! Woodworking Why not create a woodwork masterpiece this Sunday. With just a piece of wood you could transform your living space. The possibilities for what you can craft are endless from cabinets and chests to chairs and benches to a new desk. To get you started why not take a look at our Oak Workbench . Whatever your abilities, this bench will give you the perfect anchorage point for yo...