Meet Furniture Artist Karen Johnson 

Karen Johnson is a talented furniture artist who is masterful with IOD transfers and inlays. We love how she takes century-old furniture and gives it a fresh, new look. You might know her from the IOD Creative Tribe, where she’s always sharing her fantastic work!

Karen, KismetSF, became interested in creative furniture after taking a Chalk Paint class. She was so charmed by the transformation that she quickly became addicted to upcycling furniture. Her hobby became a business in 2016 when she opened a shop in San Francisco selling painted furniture and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Karen's work combines decoupage and collage with IOD Transfers, Stamps, and Paint Inlays. Her background as a graphic designer helps contribute to a multi-faceted style — from urban to whimsical, or elegant.

"I love the art of modernizing well-made furniture from the last century and giving it a new life. Although my shop closed in 2023, I continue to create reimagined heirloom furniture."

We caught up with her to ask a few questions and share her insights with you:

Can you share a unique technique or approach you've developed using IOD products that others might not have thought of?

Why use just one product? I enjoy layering by using Stamps, Transfers, Paint Inlays and decoupage all on one piece.

Quick Tip: You can create a mask to stamp around a transfer by using wax paper. Trace the area to be protected on the wax paper, then trim out and tack down over the transfer to protect it while stamping or using other techniques. Another tip: For an interesting Old World finish, first seal your project, then mix Metallic Wax with Dark Wax as the final coat.

How do you overcome creative blocks or moments of self-doubt during your projects? 

To overcome creative blocks, I often take a break. I go to a gallery or museum or dive deep online and look for inspiration from other artists and furniture artists. I will try a completely different style or play on a sample board with variations. Some of my best pieces are ones I was very frustrated with but didn’t give up on. It is just paint, so keep painting! I try to remember if the result is not to my liking it may be perfect for someone else. If all else fails, and I am unhappy with the final result, I put it on the free list. Move on, feel the relief of getting it out of your space, and get a fresh start with something new!

WRAPPING UP

Thank you, Karen. We love this advice! Stepping away from a piece can be so refreshing, and we also love the advice that sometimes it's just good to let some things go and move on. Keep that energy flowing!

Look for more beautiful creations from Karen in future IOD releases. ❤️

New around here?

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!