Sideboard Surprise – Shellac

It’s funny how things work out.  Sometimes I pick up things with every intention of selling it.  Then I keep it.  Sometimes I think “hmmm…..I think I’ll keep that.”.  And I sell it.

I picked up this petite sideboard thinking I would keep it because I love the lines and architectural elements.    (Ugg cannot find the real Before pics – I know I took them!  So this is a kinda, sorta “amidst” picture.)  

It was the standard walnut finish and in my experience walnut is a real bleeder.  A few months ago, Miss Mustard Seed gave me a tip about about using Shellac before  painting to seal the stain in.  Hmmm…. never knew that!  I always thought of Shellac as a finish.

I sprayed on 1 coat of Shellac and brushed on a coat of paint the next day.   The following morning I went out to check on it and this is what had happened!

It went crackle crazy!    I was NOT expecting that!   I pondered it for a little bit and decided that I loved it. 

The pulls got the usual treatment.  I little spa time in hot water, salt and vinegar to remove the crud.   Then a little of this….


….a “Rub ‘n Buff massage.   I love this stuff because by using my fingers to apply it in random spots I can achieve depth.

Sanded lightly. Waxed for a nice hard finish…and good to go..to the shop that is!   (The Stray Cat in Medway this time.)

Bigger Isn't Better–OOK Picture Hangers

This post is less about what I did and more about what I found.  So no “before” just an “after” pic.

I painted this huge chalkboard over a month ago and it has been sitting in my garage ever since.


It’s big and heavy and I was worried about hanging it on the drywall in the shop for fear that it would come crashing down.   I finally decided that I was being silly.  First of all, it wasn’t going to sell sitting in the garage and, secondly, I was getting tired of moving it around when I worked on other projects! 

So off to the hardware store I went.    Looking for industrial sized picture hanging ‘equipment’.  Bigger is better, right?  

Since I prefer the local mom & pop stores that's where I headed.  I was greeted by a very helpful guy when I arrived.  I told him what I was looking for.   Already knowing in my head that what I needed were some big honkin’ wall plugs,  screws, etc…..a drill, hammer….    He suggested that I try these.

He told me that they are much easier to use and only require a hammer to install.  They hold up to 100 lbs.  No drilling for wall plugs, etc.  I was hesitant but he seemed to know what he was talking about.   Well let’s just say that it pays to ask questions.    I had the chalkboard hanging on the wall in less than a minute.

Lessons learned?   Use the local stores whenever possible.   Ask questions.  (That’s what they’re there for.)  I might still be standing in the aisle of the big box store with a blank look on my face.

Antique Chandelier–Part 2 – Rewiring, etc.

After the task of dismantling and cleaning the chandelier (posted here), it was on to the task of rewiring and putting it back together.

First up. Opening the bottom to pull out the old wiring.   The old wiring that went into each of the “arms” was left alone since it looked “healthy”.     So I just pulled the main wire and connected a new one through the center.  I simply unscrewed the electrical connectors (black doodads).

I intended on using a kit with an inline switch but because it was an older chandelier, the new wiring was too chunky to go through the narrow pipe.   I called a friend who has supplies (and skills) for virtually every project.

Since she never disappoints, she had a smaller old electric cord and showed me how to install an inline switch.   Yahoo!  New skill acquired.

Although my drawing skills might be lacking, this diagram helped me to put it all back together.

As I started to put it back together I felt that the old gold’ish color was not really giving it what it was worthy of .  So.  I.  painted. it.

Sacrilegious?  Perhaps.  But so much better!

Still a work in progress but the full reveal is coming soon.