Easy (Cheap) Garden Sculpture

3 boards, each about 3 feet long (the ones pictured are 34 inches long by 3.5 inches by 1.5 inches)

Paint or shellac

Drill

Twine or wire

Wire cutters or scissors

I am a “dumpster diver,” a “garbage picker,” a thrift shop shopper.  Ok, I do not poke around through my neighbors’ trash cans, but if a piece of broken furniture or lumber is sitting out for the next morning’s garbage collection, I feel that it is free for the taking.  That is the way I obtained three pieces of weather-treated lumber from a picnic table and an idea was born!  However, I think that one could easily use any lumber handy because the painting or shellac-ing will weather-proof it.

Clean or sand the boards.

Drill a small hole in one end of each board 1 inch from the end and centered.

[Optional: also drill a similar hole at the other end of all boards if you will need to put wire through to a stake in order to secure the sculpture to the ground.]

Paint or shellac as beautifully as you’d like; allow to completely dry for at least 24 hours.

Prop the boards up and lace the wire/twine through. Then twist or tie it to hold.

I can easily imagine these posts further decorated with nailed-on ornaments, reflectors, or streamers, depending on one’s tastes.  Also, if this is a family project with children, who knows what great ideas they will have to add to the creation.  Additionally, some people might want to use metal, driftwood, or other materials.

This was a no-cost sculpture for me, because we owned many cans of paints, wire, and all the necessary tools.  Since I found great lumber, I was set.  

Whether or not you are stocked, this is not an expensive project.  I hope that you enjoy it.

Text and photos copyright 2011 Maren Morgan