Did you see yesterday's post with pics of the two dragonflies and their butterfly cousin? They were inspired by the great creations at Lucy Designs and you can find tutorials on her site - but here's what I used and how I did it.
The body: I got an old table offered on our local Freecycle site and promptly removed the gorgeous legs that already had 2 different paint colors on them (I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the table top). I sanded down the outer color to show some of the green beneath. Then I added some additional acrylic blues and grays with some broad brush strokes and using a rag to wipe in the paint.
The wings: The butterfly sports fan blade wings that I had dismantled from a thrift store fan and they were ready to simply screw onto the back of the table leg. Then it was a few nights in front of the TV with a hot glue gun and box of misc. beads and baubles to glam up those wings.
I had some rusty metal straps - used in industrial shipping - that I'd picked up in a field and drilled a hole in the ends and screwed to the back of the table leg for the bottom wings. I loved the effect of those rusty straps and also used them for the dragonfly...and thinking about making some garden flowers as well.
The eyes: The final step was to get out my box of scrap metal bits that I typically pick up off the streets when walking - and soon I had eyes and antennas for my flying insects.
Once again - a huge thanks to Lucy Designs for the original inspiration. It's a fun project and I've still got another table leg to experiment with!
Thanks, Allison. I really enjoyed the project.
Love the dragonfly with the blue velvet chair!
I remember seeing these at Lucy's designs! You did her proud Michael. Yours look great. I love the rusty straps! and I agree with delhibound, looks super with the blue velvet chair!
Hi Gail - I knew that if I was going to try these then I'd have to be sure and make Lucy proud. She gave her stamp of approval and I'm so happy.
I LOVE THIS. SERIOUSLY LOVE this!! I want to go make a bunch right now!! Thanks for sharing and I am a new follower!
The dragonfly is wicked cool! I love it!
GORGEOUS Michael! I love all the different materials you used!
I too have been saving scraps and other items to recreate someting similar to Lucy's creations. Yours turned out wonderful! Kudos!
I love this idea! I have seen these done before, but they were always so big. These I could make and use in my home! Can't wait to head to the Habitat for Humanity store and pick some supplies up. Thanks again for posting!!