The Original Table Leg Dragonflies with Ceiling Fan Blade Wings

I've made a lot of these dragonflies in the past and have just created a new batch.

 In the past, I've used wood, metal, wire and beads or metal screening for the wings...  

I've painted them distressed or painted them funky....

All kinds of combinations :)

The bodies of the dragonflies are table/furniture legs

I just got this big supply of table legs from one of my sisters...thank you Shirley!

For some of the wings in this batch, 

I used wood that I cut with a jigsaw

 and then used the Rotozip to make the scroll design...

I found a big box of ceiling fan blades at Restore and used them to make wings too.

I cut the blades down into more of a wing shape by clamping 4 together at a time and used the jigsaw

I painted these with various distressed finishes and added other pieces and parts.  

Added a single chair leg to the tail on this one

I used molding on other wings

The patina on this baluster piece is perfect!

I left it as is and tried to match the wings to it with paint

These two I did a little differently

I added wooden beads to the front then gave them a glazed turquoise finish

For their wings I used thinned paint and my fingertips to create the pattern

Pictures don't really do it justice, it looks pretty cool in person

The eyes are little metal pieces from the back of some brass knobs.  

For the antennae on this one,I used hooks I had....

These antenna are rusted wire that I curled on the ends...

I used metal strapping on others. 

I love using this hanger strap on projects, it's fun stuff  

I once used it to make a lattice pattern for the front of a counter in a bakery that we used to own. 

 The counter front was black so it really popped, it's fun stuff to work with

I had to hang them outside to take photos, 

 I didn't have enough wall space inside

Hang indoors or out!.....

I did seal them with spray poly and would feel fine with 

putting them outside in a covered area like a porch or something. 

If I were going to put them on a fence like I have them displayed, 

I would seal with liquid poly using a couple of good thick coats

 to really get in all the nooks and crannies...esp around the edges of the cut fan blades

That will give more protection than just the spray.  

Of course they are wood and will eventually weather but that can add to the charm

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