Here is simple expression in metal. This hanging sculpture is perfect to place indoors or out. A bright glass ornament hangs below. The steel surface is treated with a rust finish and then covered with a clear acrylic coating. This piece is 14 in. wide. Call or email me if you would like one. These sculptures are $65, which includes shipping.
The large hanger makes it easy to display in any setting.
This sculpture is called 'Life Times'. It was made in memory of a local man who had a great love for parks, dogs and children. The sculpture was commissioned in his honor. This public art is located at the entrance of the Gamber Center in Lee's Summit, Mo.
The sculpture is made up of four large panels. Scenes that depict children playing, running, swinging and flying kites are cut from the steel.
The idea is that throughout the day and seasons, light and shadow will change constantly on the sculpture. So, no matter from what angle you view the piece, it looks different.
The sculpture is situated in the middle of a beautiful flower garden that is managed by Master Gardeners of Kansas City.
The piece is anchored to a large concrete base. The heavy steel panels are bolted to the center post.
A simple sign tells visitors about the sculpture.
The panels are powdercoated with naturalistic colors.
Blue Heron Design is a cool and funky shop in downtown Lee's Summit, Mo. The challenge was to replace their aging wooden and vinyl sign with something that captured the vibe of the store better. So, I created this handmade steel sign. The logo and name of the business is cut from a steel sheet. Steel bars frame the sign. The entire piece is given a rusty finish and sealed with acrylic coating. A portion of the logo is offset from the background and painted a hammered silver.
The sign is offset from the brick to add depth and shadow.
In addition, I made a smaller projection sign. A big circle shows off just the logo of the store. A custom bracket holds the sign.
Here is neat idea to show off a special memento. How about a metal shadow box? This box showcases a wedding braid. I can make these to almost any dimension...or to fit any item.
This box is unfinished steel, but they could be painted.
The back has a hole to hang the box. In this case, the hole is hidden behind the braid.
In addition, to creating a Little Free Library for St. Paul's Episcopal Church, I also made them a new sign. The sign frame reflects the pattern of the nearby chapel windows. A simple cross highlights the crest. This sign is sturdy, made from steel. It will hold up to lawnmowers bumping into it, people leaning on it and the weather pounding it. The sign graphics are printed on Dibond, an aluminum material that is durable and rigid.
The sign frame is powdercoated for extra protection. The sign is set in concrete. Next spring, a flower garden will surround the sign, adding to the beauty of the church.
These little inspirational metal words make a great gift. They are handmade, cut from steel and adorned with a beautiful piece of slag glass. These were given to a wedding planner and minister for their work in helping with the ceremony. A nice (and budget-friendly) way to say Thank You!
The Baird Group is a local real estate company. They sell residential and commercial properties. Recently, they listed a high-end creative space in a office park. So, I made a vibrant sign that would catch the attention of passing motorists. This sign is printed vinyl applied to a aluminum backing. It is mounted inside the frame and can be changed out, if needed.
The sign frame is made of steel and painted a satin black finish.
The sign is 48 inches tall and wide. The sign stands 6 feet tall. Tall enough to send a message to prospective tenants. In addition, the sign is double-sided, so it can be useful, no matter the direction of traffic. The smaller rider sign is replaceable. It just clips into place.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Lee's Summit, Mo. is the proud owner of this Little Free Library. The church is one of the oldest in the city. The original chapel has a charming bell tower and a bright red door. Those are details I wanted to bring to the design of this Library.
The church Little Free Library is made entirely from steel. This makes for a sturdy, long-lasting structure, which can handle all kinds of weather and use.
The Library is placed along the street. Lots of nearby neighbors and church patrons can take advantage of the book sharing.
The books can be safely stored and displayed behind acrylic window. The door has a simple latch that is easy for all ages to open.
The Library is painted by hand, using tough enamel paint. It makes it easy to touch it up, if needed.
This was the first time I have been asked to create some custom bathroom stalls. And it was a challenge! Main Slice Pizza is located in a cool old building in downtown Lee's Summit, Mo. The design style throughout the restaurant is a neat mix of industrial, brick, neon and wood. So, I set out to make some handmade metal restroom stalls in the women's bathroom, something that would compliment the rest of the interior.
The stalls are made from 1.5 inch steel tube with sheets of steels to fill out the dividers.
We added old wooden doors which were painted black. The doors swing on simple post hinges.
I wanted to leave the weld marks, grinder marks and heat rainbows on the steel.
The stalls are attached to the vintage tile floor.
The stalls are all ADA-compliant. Wide enough for wheelchairs.
The steel panels, posts and beams are left in their natural state. I coated everything with lacquer.
This charming handmade Eiffel Tower wind chime is ready to create some simple sounds in the garden. This sturdy wind chime can hold up to all kinds of wind and weather. A metal stylized outline of the Eiffel Tower is in the center. Funky symbols collide with the Tower, clinging and clanging in the breeze. It is made from steel that has a brushed finish. Outside, nature will paint it a warm rusty brown.
Do have a portion of your yard or property that you wish was fenced off, but still easy to get to? Well, here is simple and quick remedy. This homeowner wanted to keep the dogs away from a section of the backyard. So, I designed a drop-in fence panel. This all-steel fence panel is light enough to remove and place to the side, so access for mowing is just moments away. The fence panel rests in small U-channels on each post.
The fence is strong enough to keep dogs out...and looks good, too! Place the fence to the side when you want access, then replace it back onto the posts.
Here is a good solution to create a really cool table. The owner created a beautiful table top and I made a pair of U-shaped metal legs to hold everything up. The table is 8 feet long by 18 inches wide. The steel table legs have hidden tabs that screw into the wood table. A clean and contemporary look!
The legs are made from steel and given a brushed finish. Everything is welded together for strength.
This special vase was made for the upcoming Art for Arthritis auction. This summer, I worked with a young artist creating a personal sculpture. As part of this exercise, I had to make a piece to compliment the artist's expression. This vase is made from metal orphans and other cast-off pieces. I filled the clear glass with colorful red marbles.
A local building owner needed some help. Along the alley, trash collectors were a little rough when moving the dumpsters around. As a result, the heavy dumpster damaged the back of the building. So, we came up with a sturdy steel rail that will keep future damage from happening. The railing is made from 2-inch steel tube. It reaches across 11 feet. A satin black finish is easy to touch up if the dumpster makes a mark.
The protective railing has a match in a shorter handrail that is anchored by the back steps.
The rails are attached with handy tabs on the top and bottom.
So, how does it work? Well, here are a couple of photos with the dumpster. The railing is installed at the perfect height to prevent any further damage.
One of this year's projects was the design, fabrication and installation of this interpretive display for the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation. Wall graphics, mounted displays and a metal sculptural logo were key ingredients. The display is installed in the lobby of the Stansberry Leadership Center. Thank you to the Foundation, Sheryl Franke and many others who made this project a reality.
The display covers the end cap of a staircase. The Foundation logo is cut from metal and mounted to the wall using offsets to add dimension to the display. LED lighting help show off the graphics.
Graphics display the names of donor. These are removable, so they can be updated annually.
The wall space offers an opportunity to show visitors what the Foundation does for the school district and community.
A large vinyl wall covering is applied to the background of the display. Black aluminum edges help frame the permanent display.
What a weekend! I was very pleased to finally install the latest Little Free Library to come out of Fossil Forge. This Library has a new home at the Ellen Noel Art Museum in Odessa, Tex. The Library is covered with colorful bugs and spiders. It is made completely of steel and is tough and durable. A beautiful hand-painted finish will attract book lovers for years to come.
The Library is placed in the garden courtyard of the museum.
A colorful spider dangles from a chain. Glass eyes reflect the sun.
A shiny black ant scales the left side of the Library.
On top, a praying mantis and ladybug watch over the garden.
The Library is the perfect height for all ages.
A door opens to reveal the spacious interior...room for lots of books!
This Library is sponsored by the Junior League of Odessa, Tex.
The bright sun shows off the many colors of the Library.
The brick courtyard garden is a pleasant place to pick a book and relax.
This was such an enjoyable project! I was asked to create a copper relief map of Italy and its islands. This piece is made from copper sheet with a Rojo finish. The terrain of Italy was embossed by hand. Once finished, the copper sheet was attached to a backing board for rigidity. Plus, this added extra depth to the wall hanging. The sculpture is approx. 36 inches tall by 20 inches wide. Thank you, Barbara!
I used assorted wooden clay tools to press the mountains and hills into the copper.
Another Little Free Library is open for book sharing! This book barn is located on the grounds of Longview Farm Elementary in Lee's Summit, Mo. The school kids helped come up with the design of this library. They requested a barn, which is what their school is designed around. Longview Farm Elementary is built around a beautifully restored show horse barn.
A bright red paint job helps the Little Free Library really stand out.
This Library is located in New Longview, a walkable neighborhood with houses close together, front porches and lots of sidewalks.
The Library is right outside the school door, offering easy access to books for people of all ages.
The weathervane on top of the Library is the school's logo of a show horse.
A interior of the Library is fully weatherproof and ready for books and other items. The Library has dividers to mimic horse stalls. Also, a hidden hay loft is inside, too.
The entire Library is made from steel and coated with durable enamel paint. These sturdy structures are long-lasting and will hold up in every environment.
I just finished a series of five deck posts. These posts stand tall, over 5 feet, and are outfitted with loops to hang flowers, lanterns or whatever you like. The top ring is a perfect place to string party light. Each of the posts are powdercoated a rich light brown. The posts attach to existing wood deck posts. These posts make a great addition to your deck living.
Joy is a short but hopeful word. This metal word sculpture is adorned with a pretty piece of purple slag glass. These handcut word sculptures look charming in the garden, on the wall or hanging in front of a window. Metal words come with a hanger and your choice of color for the glass. A great gift idea! Prices start at $40. Just let me know the word and I'll take it from there.
