World War II Helmets Used for Turtle Garden Sculptures
April 10, 2008 by Peggy Rowland
Filed under Home & Living
You might think it’s weird to use a helmet to make a turtle. Maybe it is. Still, it’s a nice use of old helmets and machinery parts. I’d buy it, but $100 is a bit steep for my yard art budget, even if I’m getting a WWII Red Cross helmet.
The turtle helmet sculpture comes from Utah junk artist Fred Conion, who makes garden sculptures out of recovered objects.
I’m going to look for an old helmet I may be able to use for this project, but don’t hold your breath. I’m rather picky when it comes to my turtle art.
Photo via Uncommon Goods.
There is a guy that does this at our farmers market, I’ll have to take some pictures.
He also makes things out of old rusty cast iron pots and pans.
Pretty cool
Hello Heathen. Thanks. I’d love to see more photos of this kind of project.
Oh, that is soooo cute! I need one of those for my garden. I love unusual, and unique garden sculptures.
Howdy Linette. Do you have a lot of cool garden sculptures? That would be an interesting post for Mother Earth’s Garden — a tour of your garden sculptures.
Hi Peggy,
I think he looks really cute. I’ve also tagged you for the 123 Book Tag:
http://www.acreativejournal.com/shais-123-book-tag.
How adorable is this flippin’ turtle. Seriously. Really cute. My best friend loves turtles and now I’m going to have to comb the thrift store for junk to make something like this. You know, I haven’t done any welding for years though. It could get dangerious. Hmmm. Maybe I’ll just clip the picture and give it to her – the lazy man’s way!
Jennifer,
Here’s what I’m thinking for non-welders like me:
plastic helmet, stencil on a pattern for the shell, paint the shell pattern, glue appropriate-shaped sticks for legs and tail, and the head — haven’t worked that out yet.
Of course, you could gather the parts and hire someone to weld for you. I doubt it would cost as much as the turtle on Uncommon Goods.
I love turtles. There are hundreds around my apartments. I still don’t know where they all go at night and in the winter. I guess they have little underground burrows. Must Google that.
Welding is easy (and fun). You could do it. I don’t suggest you weld your orange bowls though.
You’ve really been a welder? I’m impressed. Did you take shop class? : )
I wonder… can you rent welding equipment? Seems like it might be a dangerous enterprise, so probably not.
I did actually take shop class – it was that or sewing (not a big sewing fan). I was the only girl in my class so I got a lot of attention since they thought a girl couldn’t weld – but all that happened was that I got more hands on time than anyone else and got an A+.
Later I did some more but not near pro or anything. Real hard core welding might be hard? But I made little houses (shocking I know) and some other things. It’s pretty fun. Now crafty girl; I’m off to bed. Have a fun night.