How to Make Simple Recycled Art for your Garden
The great thing about both gardens and recycled art is that anything goes. Free your mind and allow yourself to be creative! The garden is the one place where you don't have to worry too much about what others think--you can exhibit quirky or kitschy taste with no holds barred! Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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*Look at what you already have at home
The first thing you should do when decorating your garden is go to the place in your home where you store "extra" home decor and housewares items. Look through what you have first to see what you can use. For example, decorative plates look great on plate stands sitting in the garden or on hanging plate stands on a wall or fence. If you have extra dishes, use a few of these in your garden. Teacups and saucers also work well for mini bird baths or feeders--fill with water or seed. Forks or mismatched assorted flatware can make a fun and unique border along your garden's edge.
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*Rethink your junk
If you've got gourds or dried flowers, you can hang these in your garden. Candle holders of any kind can be used as well--they can be adapted to hold plants or citronella candles. Wooden crates filled with soil and plants is a great way to add charm to your garden, as is taking small galvanized tubs and filling with sticks, dried flowers, or plants.
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*Find old appliances
Believe it or not, a lot of appliances make great decor for the garden. Cut off the electrical plugs and hide the appliances among the flowers and plants. The slots in a toaster can be filled with soil and a few small flowering plants. A stand mixer with a bowl makes a great planter--drill a hole in the bottom to allow plant drainage. Old egg beaters, telephones, rolling pins, irons, and pots and pans also look whimsical in a garden. Also, metal, wood or ceramic hot plate trivets make great faux stepping stones. (In most cases, you'll want to be sure they are purely decorative if they're not sturdy.)
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*Place glass in your garden
If you have a collection of glass bottles and jars, use them to add flair to your garden. They can also make a nice decorative border. Fill some with plants, or use your imagination and fill them with marbles, old screws and nails, dice, miscellaneous pieces from board games, seashells, rocks, toy cars, play jacks. Don't be afraid of using anything--with a lid on the jar, it can be filled with just about anything from playing cards to collected matchbooks to fortunes from fortune cookies. Fold a brightly colored origami animal and close the lid. The sky's the limit when it comes to primitive garden style!
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*Add unusual junk to your garden
Other great additions to a recycled art garden include old license plates, empty corked wine bottles on that decorative wine bottle rack you never use, tall coffee pots, serving trays, vanity mirrors, old metal mailboxes, old tools, a baker's rack against a wall stacked with assorted planters and pots, an old painted footstool, and old metal toy trucks. Leftover ceramic tiles can be used in borders, as faux stepping stones, or to line the bottom of a wall.
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*Use wire to make recycled art
Wire is a great help in achieving your fun garden look. Wire items together and make a garland of flatware, gourds, bottle caps, ceramic mugs, dried herbs, kitchen utensils, small hand garden tools, or mini galvanized tubs.
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*Shop for additional garden items
The last thing to know is that if you don't own many of the items in the steps above, you can always go to Goodwill, flea markets, and yard/garage sales for items. Ask around--often relatives have a junk shelf where they keep things they're holding on to. Have fun...soon you'll develop an eye for creating your whimsical and unique garden.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't spend too much on garden junk. Half the fun is in finding great deals or gifted items from friends.
Make a tribute to a deceased loved one by incorporating their less valuable items in your garden. (For example, you could use Grandpa's tobacco can, Grandma's knitting needles, Dad's favorite golf club, or Mom's spoon collection from her travels.)
