How to Make Asian Yard Ornaments for a Garden

Gather your supplies. Hit the hardware store for your snips, wire and other items. While you're there, check out their sheet metal selection. You can also find sheet metal at salvage yards and home stores. Pick a piece large enough for the ornaments you want to make.

Decide on your design. Asian themes include dragons, pagodas, symbols from the Chinese zodiac, Chinese and Japanese characters, cranes and others inspired by Eastern thought and culture. Brainstorm by researching traditional Asian art at the library or online (see Resources).

Sketch your design on the sheet metal. After you've decided on the design you want, sketch its outline on the piece of sheet metal with a marker.

Cut along your outline, using your snips to carefully snip out the design.

Paint as desired, using outdoor paint to color your design. Black and white are always striking for Asian art, or you can spruce up your ornaments with any color you choose. Red is a popular hue. You can also give your ornaments a base coat and then add finer details with paint pens. Seal the painted and dry ornament with polyurethane or another sealer.

Install your new piece(s) in the garden. You can easily prop up sheet metal in the dirt or hang it from nearby trees, fences or other upright items to accentuate your garden ornaments' placement.