| The allure of creating something beautiful out of | | | | creative work to add a more earthy feel. It's |
| something discarded attracts many amateur and | | | | easy to accumulate more raw materials than are |
| professional artisans to the craft of metal art. | | | | necessary for the project, so it's best to go |
| Windmills made from tin cans, artificial bonsai trees | | | | hunting for materials with a clear idea of the end |
| made from steel wire, and even angels made out | | | | product. The color of the metal is not important |
| of old car engine parts are just a few of the | | | | at this stage. Special paint can be applied and |
| artistic possibilities. Many hobbyists would refer to | | | | baked on later. |
| this sort of art as scrap metal art, junk art, or | | | | Metal Manipulation Techniques |
| even recycling art. Whatever you call it, and | | | | This craft's most skilled artisans often command |
| whatever your skill level, this form of artistic | | | | the ability to weld and to cut metal using a |
| expression can be engaged in by simply combining | | | | professional torch. While a novice may not have |
| an inspired idea, some raw materials, and a | | | | the ambition to learn such skills, there are a few |
| handful of techniques for manipulating the metals. | | | | easy techniques such as using a soldering tool or a |
| Amazing jewelry, wall hangings, sculptures, and | | | | metal grinder that can be mastered in an |
| other imaginative renderings are all possible with | | | | afternoon. Most newcomers rely simply on |
| just some basic know-how. | | | | hand-shaping their items and by adding a few nuts |
| Metal Options | | | | and bolts here and there. Metal casting is an |
| For a new entrant into this pastime, a trip to the | | | | advanced, and slightly risky, technique that is |
| local junk yard will likely yield more than enough | | | | popular within this art form. With metal casting, |
| raw materials. Look for items that are easy to | | | | the hobbyist creates a mold from a material |
| tote back to your home, that are rust-free, and | | | | known as green sand, heats the chosen metal in |
| preferably clean. The thinner and softer the metal, | | | | a furnace, and then pours the liquid metal into the |
| the easier it will be to manipulate. Just about any | | | | cast. The outcome is a perfectly cast work of |
| type of metal will work - copper, brass, steel, | | | | art. Many hobbyists are attracted to this ancient |
| aluminum, iron, and most certainly gold and silver. | | | | metallurgical technique purely for the exhilaration |
| Many artisans enjoy mixing wood into their | | | | of working with liquefied metal. |