Steampunk birdhouse? Maybe

Just finished this funked-out metal birdhouse. The house is bristling with all kinds of found objects and castoffs. A big pressure gauge perches on the roof. Bright orange glass marbles form the eyes. This is the 7th in a series of birdhouses to come out of Fossil Forge Metalworks. There will be more!

I nicknamed this one 'PegLeg'. A portion of one of the legs is a old cobblers shoe form.

The back of each of these birdhouses has a hatch for access to the interior.

A colorful brass faucet creates a perfect nose.

Metal deck posts are perfect for plants, lights

These metal deck posts are a perfect accent for a deck. They provide a tall place to hang flower baskets, windchimes or other decorations. Plus, handy steel loops offer a great place to string party lights...which illuminate the deck space beautifully. These posts are four feet tall and are attached to the top of the cedar deck posts. I can design and build these to fit any type of deck or setting.

Plenty of ways to hang things.

Little Free Library ready to share

We dedicated our Little Free Library today. What a wonderful program to be a part of. This library is made from steel and colored with enamel paint...a very durable solution. It is mounted on a 4x4 steel post for added sturdiness. We hope all of our neighbors and friends will stop by to 'Take a book'.

The library can hold a bunch of books, visible behind a piece of Lexan acrylic.

Hopefully, this spot by the intersection and the sidewalk will bring in the readers.

Happiness is a clean shop

Several years of dust, debris and leftovers went out the door this week. Sometimes its good to just grab the rug of life and shake it! I built two new 4x8 work tables that will offer assembly space for upcoming projects. I moved my welding and cutting table closer to the window for better light. I also added improved storage and shelving to organize my tools and such. Now, I go into the shop and its hard to leave.

Custom deck railing with trellis is finished

Spent the past couple of days putting the finish on this deck railing project. This railing is made from all steel components and welded together — the ingredients to last! A special feature of this piece is the trellis centerpiece. Imagine using this as a great place to grow tomatoes or a climbing rose or vine. The railing measures more than 24 feet in length. Round pickets create a nice barrier between the rails.

The railing is painted with a durable semi-gloss black enamel.

The 3-inch posts are anchored to the deck. Solid as concrete.

Call me if you are interested in a special railing of your own. Imagine all of the cool design solutions we can dream up! Call Dave at 816.785.3280.

 

The Praying Mantis planter

This little creature emerged from the shop recently. It is a metal Praying Mantis planter. Three ceramic pots can hold the flowers of your choice. The curious face of this steel insect will look out over your porch, deck or sunny room. This sculpture is made from a variety of steel, all shapes and sizes. Some found objects can also be seen. It measures approx. 28 inches tall by 40 inches in length.

The three pots are securely held in place by loops. But they can also be easily removed.

This photo shows the bare sculpture without plants. Cool-looking shadow.

Call me if you would like your own Praying Mantis, or other one-of-a-kind plant holder. These custom planters start at $300. Contact Dave at 816.785.3280.

Eiffel Tower wind chime

The gentle tinging and clanging of metal announce the arrival of this one-of-a-kind wind chime. A stylized Eiffel Tower forms the centerpiece. This piece is made from handcut metal, chain and other metal parts. It will hang nicely on a porch, deck or in the garden.

Something to hang on to

Finished a simple hanger rod this week. This piece is made from 2-inch flat bar stock. The ends were shaped on the anvil. Finally, I wirebrushed the surface and coated the steel with an acrylic polymer sealer. This is designed to attach above a window frame.

Open posts ready for paint

I finished making 15 posts for our downtown merchants. These 6-foot tall metal posts will have a 'Open' banner attached, making it easier for passing motorists to see what stores are in business that day. The posts slip into a receiver that is set into the bricks on the sidewalk. These were dropped off at Prodigal Son Coatings for nice coat of satin black powdercoating.

Proud of The Giving Tree

Tonight is the dedication of The Giving Tree. I hope everyone can come to the corner of Third and Green Streets at 6:30 p.m. We can add the first expressions to the tree.

Setting up The Giving Tree at City Hall

 Today was the day. Time to install this 11-foot tall metal tree. It is built in sections, so my son, Sam and I could easily move it together. A receiver, or sleeve, was installed in the ground. It is 24 inches deep. The trunk sections of the tree are bolted together. Next, we attached the interpretive sign. Finally, the SnowFlake was fastened to the top. It is ready to go in the bright November sunshine.

The Giving Tree is under construction

The latest piece underway at Fossil Forge Metalworks is a large metal tree called 'The Giving Tree'. The tree will be positioned in front of the Lee's Summit City Hall this holiday season. People will be able to hang tags or ribbons from its branches. I hope that people will use this opportunity to express their wishes, love, remembrances and desires for our community and world.

The Giving Tree is made from a variety of steel parts. The trunk and branches are made from different sizes of square tube. Rings are attached to offer a place to hang the messages. The tree is made in sections to make it easier to install and store.

Atop the tree is a StarFlake. This spinning top will be the final accent for this public sculpture.

Installing the Craftsman-style railing

After a trip to the powdercoater, the railing is ready to go. Two posts and the rail section. The posts are attached with large screws to a strip running along the edge of the floor. In addition, the far post is attached to the wall with a hidden connection. The rail itself then drops into the channels on each post. This will make it a snap to remove, in case a large piece of furniture needs carried upstairs. Carpeting is the last piece of this room remodel.

Here are the posts ready to go.

All done.

A feeling of great 'Joy'

I always enjoy making metal words for people. Especially, when they represent inspiration and gratitude. Can't go wrong with the word 'Joy'. So, here are a couple of metal words handcut from steel and decorated with a colorful piece of glass.

Do you have a special word, phrase or name you would like to be captured in steel? Prices for these begin at $40. Contact me at 816.785.3280 for more information. Thanks.

A pair of steel Jayhawks fly away

Just shipped a sturdy pair of metal Jayhawks. These are headed to Kansas (imagine that) and will be attached to a windmill. Each cutout bird is 14 inches wide. These are handcut from 16 gauge steel and have a brushed finish, perfect for paint.