Dogs Dig The Alexandria Festival of the Arts

Our dogs dig art. Here some connoisseurs at the Alexandria  Festival of the Arts last year: "OK, I've seen all my friends."
"Hey people, I'm doggone tired.

How about a treat?"


"Can we hurry?" "Art so good it makes me drool."


We sure love our dogs and we'll see them out September 11-12 this year for more art viewing.  More than 200 juried artist display their work all the way down King Street on Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 10-5.  Read about it here. There's music too.  If you dig tango catch my friend Joan Singer and her group QuinTango from 5-6 in Market Square.  They've played the White House and around the world.  If you live in the area come on down.

Bracelet Replacement

I always wear a bracelet. My son gave me an unusual one I loved and that I never took off. Coulda... Woulda ...Shoulda. Not smart to move theatre lights and cables while wearing bracelets. I was broken hearted to say the least when it was missing. So when I saw this booth at the Art Festival a couple of weeks ago I took a look.
I loved one made of the 14K gold wire, but at 7" it was a tad to big. But wait...Juan said he could make one the right size in 20 minutes! Here's how:

Cutting the wire to size.
Bending the loop.
Gathering the pieces for the body.
Wrapping the loop end.
Adding in strands.
Wrapping the second and third pieces.
The fourth wrap at the hook end.
Measure again.
Bend to a circle.
Thanks Juan!

Week-end Work

The mile long yard sale was Saturday. Just as the rain started I found these four harp back bent wood chairs ($20 for all four). Perfect for my daughter's dining room.

They came from a church hall originally.

I glued one leg, tightened one back piece and used my favorite restore product.


I had six cushions (on sale at the grocery store $1 each a few weeks ago) that I'd been saving for a good use.

I stitched on a length of ribbon for ties and there they were...all fixed up.

My SIL had two of these chairs languishing on the porch.

The seats were off so I got some black vinyl and the two extra cushions and recovered them.


Lookin' good.


And for my sister, I also used the restore on a small marble top dresser that my parent bought for $25, the first year they got married. It has been in the garage for three years, since the move from NJ. I love the signature I found on the bottom of the two small drawers. "John Schraer/Newark NJ." He must have cut the bottoms from the same piece of wood.


I took out the old silver cloth and relined the top drawer.


I cleaned the brasses with a salt and vinegar solution (shades of chem class) and polished them off with a thin coat of olive oil. There was actual detail of hearts on the door handle.


It looks great.