Redoux: Deconstructed Bench, giving back

This is Mindi:

Mindi is my youngest daughter's dance instructor. Mindi is not just any dance instructor, she lives and breathes the art of dance. She has a beautiful husband and family, and they are all very talented. A little while back, Mindi was part owner of a Gymnastics/Dance Studio. One of the partners and a very dear friend passed away from Breast Cancer and she sold her share in the studio.

This is an old bench that used to be in the studio:

Mindi inherited the bench as a way to remember a part of the studio and her friend.

The bench has been sitting in Mindi's kitchen for a while. Mindi, gives and gives, and gives. She teaches dance next door in an unused outbuilding on her neighbor's property that has been lovingly converted into a dance studio. She devotes countless hours to teaching the girls that come to her, the art and discipline of dance. Mindi does not make any money in this pursuit, but gives her heart and soul to her students because she truly believes in the art and gift of dance.

Mindi is part of a beautiful collective dance organization that gives back to our community if you would like to learn about the company, click Here.

I spied this sad little bench in Mindi's kitchen one day and asked if I could "redoux" it as a thank you gift to her for all she has given to us.

The bench had obviously been well used by many little dancers and gymnasts, and needed some TLC. I began by replacing all the screws that were holding it together and reinforcing the underside. Next I filled in much of the holes and chips.

I originally thought I would sand and repaint it, but once the paint started peeling away, I discovered a beautiful wood underneath.

I changed directions and stripped it as clean as I could. Sanded it until smooth, then got to work personalizing it for an amazing person and her family.

After I removed the stencils, and the paint dried, I lightly sanded again with 220 grit sandpaper, then 400 grit to really give the wood a perfectly soft finish. I finished it with a Dark Oak Wax.

I am so thrilled with the final result. Hopefully it will go on to live for a long time in it's newest form.