I reconnected with my grandfather recently. Even though Papa died more than 20 years ago, he was very much present with me last week while I was chalk painting a curio cabinet he had refinished more than 40 years ago.

Like my grandfather, I saw that the antique glass cabinet had good bones and great lines, but I was not a big fan of the oak finish he used to stain it all those years ago. So I decided to cover it up with paint, since I did not want to get rid of the family heirloom.

I used CeCe Caldwell’s Natural Chalk + Clay Paint, an eco-friendly paint that is sold at Fabs and More, a downtown shop that stocks the odorless, non-toxic water based style paint.

Chalk paint is self-priming, meaning that you do not have to sand or strip the old finish off first, making it easy for a do-it-yourselfer like me.

The curio cabinet turned out great, so I decided to participate in a workshop on chalk painting techniques and finishes taught by Fabs and More owner Judy Busby.

Chalk paint has become popular because it adheres so well. Depending on the desired results and personal preferences, all it takes for a DIY project using the eco-friendly paints are paintbrushes, paper towels, cheesecloth, water and imagination.

“You only have to give a piece a good cleaning. There is no sanding or priming required. Just paint on any surface,” Busby said. “The paint is thick and dries very quickly so you can get projects done in no time.”

During Thursday night’s hands-on workshop, Busby demonstrated how you could achieve either a super smooth finish or a distressed appearance with a wet cloth.

“You can easily distress with a wet cloth, and you can layer colors because of its fast drying time,” she said.

Nan Miller was paying close attention because she said she was planning to paint her kitchen cabinets, and Angela Murphy, Cindy Simmons and Dianne Smith were, like me, all looking to put a new face on old pieces of furniture.

Busby started her fabric business in 2009, and after moving three times she hopes this is her permanent location.

“It is no fun moving bolts and bolts of fabric,” she said.

In 2013, she started teaching sewing and upholstering workshops. At the first of the year after studying and researching eco-friendly paints, she decided to add the CeCe Caldwell’s line to her shop.

Fabs and More is at 1100 Washington St. and also offers services including custom made upholstery, drapes, bedding and painted furniture pieces.

The next bring-your-own-furniture workshops will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 25. Sewing and upholstery workshops are also being planned.

For more information and a complete listing of workshops, call 601-618-4972 or visit fabsandmore.com. Tutorials, ranging from turning a lampshade from drab to fab to how to paint and distress furniture are also available on the website.