Set of 3 Small Garden Dragonflies 6 Inches, Decorative Wall Hanging Plaques, Indoor Outdoor, Fall Decorations, Handmade, Fair Traded Haitian Artwork

In the village of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, the air rings with the sound of metal banging against metal. Workshops line the streets of the village and outside each are stacks of discarded 55-gallon drums awaiting transformation. To begin the process, the tops of the barrels are removed and the open barrel is stuffed with straw and dried banana leaves and then set ablaze. This burns out the residue and old paint and strengthens the metal. After the barrels have cooled, they are slit down the side, pried open, pounded flat and sanded down, giving the artist a smooth flat surface, much like a painter's canvas. The artist chalks his design onto the metal and then, using a hammer and chisel, begins the work of cutting the sculpture and giving it form, detail and dimension. When he is satisfied with his results, he pounds his signature onto the sculpture and seals it with a protective, weather-proof finish.These sculptures have been clear coated to protect them from the elements. If they are going to be part of the indoor decor, they will stay just fine - pretty much forever. If they are outside and exposed, they will rust over time. If that's not the look you want and you can head it off, by simply applying a spray-on enamel once a year. It's a snap!These dragonflies hang easily with one nail in the hole provided in the wing. If you want to secure it, or adjust it's flight path, add a second nail in the crook between the lower wing and the body.