YardBirds: The Rust of the Story
“In no time old bike chains, rusty mufflers, parts of plows and engine widgets, and whatnots began seeing life anew, this time as owls, terriers, cats, even dinosaurs,” she said.
“They are just so unusual and so much fun,” said Jay Horwitz who co-owns The Cat Connection on Inwood Road in Dallas, TX with his wife, Anne.
YardBirds products are available at this store at 14233 Inwood, the Artful Hand, 6248 Camp Bowie Boulevard, and Uncommon Angles at 1616 S. University Drive, the latter two in Fort Worth. Cricket Forge specializes in garden items made by metal designers and blacksmiths whose work is featured also at The Artful Hand. Uncommon Angles features the works of over 200 artists and is an unusual gift shop according to one reviewer.
At YardBirds someone made a bank out of an old coffee pot, for example.
Metal sculptures are made from scrap steel such as old drums, scrap cars, roofing, and off cuts from production machines. The process of making a sculpture can be quite lengthy depending on its size and intricacy. In many case a production process is used to create the sculptures. Twisted birds, hedgehogs, lizards; etc. are from off cuts of sheet metal. The artists who shape the birds spend considerable time studying actual bird’s bodies and standing positions to portray the birds as accurately as possible. Like all metals exposed to the elements they will need occasional maintenance.
If your sculpture becomes weathered from being outdoors, it can be sprayed with a clear lacquer varnish, or brush on down clear varnish. Care must be taken as sculptures may contain sharp edges. For modern d�©cor sculptures can be spray painted in the color of your choice.
Dave Taylor of Asheville, NC crafts items from scrap metal like dog faces with their heads hanging out of car windows enjoying the breeze.
“This is supposed to be fun!” he says.
Copper, bronze, and nickel are the most popular forms of recycled metal used when constructing items such as flying pigs, see-through giraffes, and other creatures.
Thomas Nelson was born and raised around metalwork.
“You have to take advantage of what you’ve got,” he says. “I never make modifications.”
Nelson is modest and says he doesn’t enjoy the limelight.
Nelson’s work has been bought and displayed by people all over the world.
