Doug and Judy use 5x10 sheets of mild steel, cut down to a workable size. Rusty stakes are cut from 14 gauge and the larger statues from 3/16 and 1/4 plate metal.

Judy first draws out her pattern. Then with a hand held plasma torch, the detail on each piece, such as the cats face or the heart, is cut out first. To further insure that no 2 are ever alike, this is done freehand, without a traced on pattern. Next step is to cut the piece out. After completion of cutting, she then cleans what's known as "slag" off the edges. At this point, the 2-1/2 foot lengths of 1/4 inch cold rolled rod are cut, cleaned, and welded on. Next each piece is "rusted" and sprayed with a coat of clear lacquer, to seal the rust on during shipping. But not to worry, your metal stake will continue to age naturally in your yard or garden.

The process used to create Doug's garden sculptures is similar in many ways to the steps Judy takes.  Instead of cutting the heavier metal plate with a plasma cutter, he uses an oxyacetylene torch to cut the shape and some of the details. After flame cutting, he uses a wire wheel on a hand grinder to clean all the rough edges and slag off each piece. In most cases the next step is to use a coarse grinding wheel on a hand grinder to add more detail, this step gives character to all his pieces. At this point he is ready to do the assembling. Whether it's a birdbath, sprinkler, or something to hold your flowers, each piece requires different steps. Doug always welds with a wire feed welder, because it gives him better control and a nicer looking weld. Doug also has decided not to pre-rust his designs, as to let their owners watch the transformation happen naturally.