5 Metallic DIY Ideas for Your Garden

 

With summer quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to decorate your garden. Metal is great for garden projects because the shine from the material makes for dazzling décor.

 

Whether you’re new to crafting or are a DIY veteran, these five projects are perfect for adding a little bling to your garden without breaking the bank:

 

1. Coke Can Charms

 

Aluminum cans are cheap and easy to come by. You can make whatever kind of charms you want — as long as the design fits on your material.

 

Source: Melissa J. Will

 

Here’s how to do it:

• Get some gloves and safety goggles before you start. Aluminum cans are sharp. Safety first!
• You’ll need a box cutter and some strong scissors for this project. You’ll also need some cardstock for creating designs, a sharpie to draw with and something sharp — like a screw or an awl — to poke your aluminum.
• Start by using your box cutter to remove the top and bottom ends of the can. Once you have your cylinder, cut the aluminum straight down the middle to give you one rectangular piece of material.
• Trace your design onto the aluminum, and then cut it out using your scissors. Once your design is free, you can use an awl or screw to puncture the charm for added decoration or even just to hang it.

 

2. Steamer Basket Flowers

 

Steamer baskets are easy to find, and they are perfect for adding some shine to your garden. Check your local thrift store or flea market, and you’re sure to find at least one steamer basket ready to be repurposed.

Source: Salvaged Dreams

 

To add a charming steamer basket flower to your garden:

• Start by opening your steamer basket all the way. Once it’s open, you’ll see how the metal pieces resemble individual petals.
• Remove the pin from the center of the basket.
• Paint and attach a stem if desired — you can use anything from wood to metal to PVC pipe.

 

3. Copper Cap Planters

 

Source: Poppytalk

 

Copper is a beautiful addition to any outdoor space. The color and shine is probably why copper was a big trend in 2015. Using copper end caps as succulent planters is a perfect way to add a little metallic bling to your garden.

 

Succulents don’t require much water, so drainage shouldn’t be an issue. If you’re worried about it, though, you could drill a small hole in the bottom of the cap.

 

If your copper starts looking a little dingy, don’t worry. You can use ketchup to get the shine back in no time.

 

4. Penny Ball

 

Not only is a penny ball another great use of copper in the garden, but it’s functional as well as decorative. In case you were wondering how, copper repels slugs. A penny ball can even help hydrangeas stay bright and flourish by enhancing the pH of your soil. The catch? You should use pennies from before 1983.

 

Source: Houzz

 

After that year, pennies started having much more zinc than copper. Too much zinc can disrupt the natural order of your garden. It makes the soil inhospitable to earthworms and microorganisms that are necessary to healthy soil and plants.

 

To make your penny ball:

• Start by selecting your spherical base. Whether you choose to use an inflatable ball or a bowling ball, you’ll need something to glue all those pennies to.
• Use an outdoor glue such as marine goop. It should be moisture and UV resistant to help it stand up to the demands of the outdoors. Make sure your workspace is well ventilated.
• Glue the pennies on in the pattern of your choice.

 

5. Silverware Flowers

 

Got some bent silverware you’re ready to get rid of? Don’t just toss it in the trash — repurpose it into shiny flowers for your garden! You can glue your silverware together however you’d like to make your flowers. You can also use washers and candle snuffers to add an extra level of glam.

 

Source: Instructables

 

To make these shiny flowers, you’ll want to:

• Use a strong glue like marine goop in a well-ventilated area. You can bend the spoons to fit together as desired.
• Try different combinations of bent and folded utensils to get the flower shapes you like.
• Don’t be afraid to glam up your flowers with gems or other colorful additions.

 

No matter how you decide to decorate your garden, it’s hard to go wrong with metal. With a little effort, your garden will be ready to impress neighbors and friends in no time.
~Megan

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Visit Megan at her blog, Your Wild Home!

 

 

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~Lorelai

 

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Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com