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How To Make a Garden Art Dragonfly

August 16, 2012 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

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Make a garden art dragonfly using an old ceiling fan and various other household supplies.

For more, see all of the garden art project tutorials here.


Make a Garden Art Dragonfly

There’s only one rule for making garden art dragonflies: no two can be the same—even if you want them to be! With a few easy-to-find household items and a screwdriver, you can make your own dragonfly. The supplies for this one cost around $7.

How To Make A Dragonfly | Garden Art DIY


Anatomy Of A Dragonfly

How To Make A Dragonfly | Garden Art DIY

  • Body: Wooden table leg.
  • Wings: Ceiling fan blades.
  • Antennae: Any thick wire that will bend and stay in position. I found mine in the electrical section of the thrift store.
  • Eyes: I used sunglasses with flat-bottom marbles glued on. Drawer knobs or metal egg cups would also look good.
  • Details: I added two pastry cutters (to echo the wings) and a kitchen fork (like a tongue).
  • Embellishments: Flat-bottom marbles, costume jewelry, glitter, kitchen utensils—anything goes.
  • Paint: Any spray paint or exterior wood paint and polyurethane.

Step by Step

There’s not a lot to this. You just need to paint the pieces and have a way to attach them together. Everyone’s dragonfly is going to be different, depending on the parts you are using.

  1. Remove fan blades from ceiling fan. Paint if desired. It’s easier to do this before assembling your dragonfly.
  2. Paint body (table leg). For long-lasting results, sand, prime, and use exterior paint or spray paint (some do not require priming).
    I used a kitchen tool as a stencil to create polka dots on the dragonfly body. Just aim the spray paint through it.
  3. Attach fan blades to body. Use 1/2-inch wood screws. Predrill holes with fine wood bit to avoid splitting wood.
  4. Attach antennae, eyes, glasses, and other embellishments. Use GE II Silicone Sealant as adhesive.
  5. Touch up paint and add final embellishments as desired.
  6. Apply exterior polyurethane or similar wood sealant for a more weather-resistant dragonfly.
  7. Attach hanging hardware to back of body.

Display Ideas

  • Hang on a fence or house wall using picture hanging hardware.
  • Suspend from a tree branch with chain or wire.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

 Next

  • How to Make Tipsy Pots
  • Doors and Windows in the Garden (Idea Gallery)
  • Chairs as Garden Art Idea Gallery
How To Make a Garden Art Dragonfly
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will
a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt
(Ontario, Canada).
Join me as I share creative + frugal home & garden ideas with a dash of humor.
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