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Garden Accessories
Garden Accessories can be functional; but
most often, they are placed in gardens
for their charm and whimsy. From cheap
mechanical croaking frogs to expensive
gazebos, we just can't get enough of
them. A garden cart can hold a watering
can, hand tools, and gloves. It can be
used as a garden end table or just placed
there for visual appeal only.
Garden accessories don't have to be
functional. Statues give style to a
garden, while fountains and waterfalls
create mist and water sounds. Garden
structures such as arches and gates
create entry ways or exits. Windmills and
water wheels add movement. Tables,
chairs, and umbrellas are inviting and
add comfort.
The beauty about garden accessories, is
that they don't have to meet the same
standards as home decor. What's good
about this situation for an artist, is
that an artist (or designer) can drop
their guard just a bit when stylizing and
designing for the garden. If you feel
anxious about painting a design on
something or creating a mosaic table top,
make it for outdoor use!
For my garden, I placed a metal watering
can inside an outdoor cart. I painted the
watering can with white house paint.
Then, I painted a horizontal line with
green acrylic paint. I sprayed the can
with a clear coat of matte lacquer and
threw sand onto the lacquer before it had
a chance to dry. Once again, I repeated
the process. Finally, I sprayed a final
coat of clear matte lacquer for the
finishing touch.
Today, the watering can looks pretty
close to how I originally treated it?and
it's been outside in approximately the
same spot for about four years now. This
may seem unimportant and insignificant to
some, but it is a rewarding experience to
the person who took the time to add that
special, personal touch to a manufactured
garden accent.
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