3 DIY Garden Art Projects

Hey, I like to try and make stuff for around my house and garden using mainly old and scrap materials. All these projects were made from bits and pieces I had lying around my garage. I don’t throw away anything as I think it will always have a use in the future!

Step 1: Watch the Video..

Have a look at the video above to watch how I made one or all of these projects or have a look at my (hopefully understandable!) guide below.

Step 2: #1 Copper Bird Wind Chime......... Cutting Out Birds

The materials needed for this are some sheet copper, an old 7 inch circular saw blade, 7 inches of ½ inch copper pipe, threaded bar, 3 nuts, 2 washers and some electrical wire or strong fishing line.

Firstly I downloaded and printed the outline of a bird from the internet. I used a swallow but you could have a different bird or even draw your own. I then transferred it to the sheet copper and cut it out using a tin snips * TIP Be careful of the sharp edges*

Step 3: Cutting the Blade..

I had an old circular saw blade and decided to use this to mount the birds from. I used an angle grinder to cut the teeth off. *TIP use a paint can to mark the circle and a flap disc to smooth the edges when cut*

Step 4: Assembly.

I welded two nuts together to form a hook from which to hang the chime. This is then screwed onto the threaded bar, then a washer, the copper pipe, the blade, another washer and finally another nut to lock it all together.

Step 5: Attaching the Birds.

Drill holes into the birds and saw blade to hang the birds from. Strip the insulation from the electrical wire using a utility knife to expose the wire. Use these wire strands to attach the birds to the blade. *TIP you could use fishing line instead of the wire to hand the birds (its more flexible)*

Step 6: Finishing.

I purposely didn’t put any finish on the metal as I am hoping in time the copper will gain a nice patina.

Step 7: That's It for the Chime.

And that’s it… the completed copper bird wind chime. I hope you like it. See below for the next two projects………………………

Step 8: #2 a Dragon Fly

I used the leg of an old broken stool and some old copper for this one. I also used a few copper nails and some white paint.

Step 9: Cutting the Wings.

Firstly I sketched out a wing shapes onto the copper and cut them out using a tin snips.I then flattened one corner of the stool leg using a block plane to form an area on which to nail the wings.

Step 10: Painting and Assembly.

I decided to cut out some eyes for the dragon fly and left a tab on one end so I could nail through the wing and then through the tab to hold everything together. I sanded the leg and gave it a coat of white exterior paint. I used white as I thought it would be a good contrast against the old copper which had developed a nice patina from being left out side for a number of years.

Step 11: The Finished Dragonfly

And that’s it the finished project! I attached a metal spike to the bottom so I could stick it into the ground but it could also be hung from a tree using some strong fishing line. Continue down for the final project.

Step 12: #3 a Horseshoe Butterfly

This is an easy welding project. The materials needed are 4 horseshoes (roughly the same size) some ½ inch re-bar and two nails.

Step 13: Arranging the Horseshoes.

I set out the position of the horseshoes and re-bar flat on a table. I then welded the shoes together on each side but not to the re-bar just yet.

Step 14: Welding.

The whole butterfly could be welded flat but I decided to put the wings at an angle so it would appear to be in flight. I did this by using a piece of wood to prop it up to the required angle as I welded it together.

Step 15: Attaching the Antennae.

I cut two nails to approx 2 inches and welded them to the re-bar to act as antennae. *TIP a vice or vice grip to hold the nails when cutting to avoid injury*

Step 16: The Completed Butterfly.

And that’s it…the finished butterfly. I hope you like it. You could also customize it by welding nuts and washers into the wings to act as a design on the wings.

If you liked these projects and would like to see more from you can subscribe to YouTube channel by clicking on the link: Eamon Walsh DIY Thank you.