Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure
If you happen to get a heart shaped box of chocolates this Valentine’s day (or you go out the day after Valentine’s day and buy a box for half price) here is a great way to recycle it after you have enjoyed the chocolates. I bet this would be a fun project to make one piece each day. Pop on over to the blog Idea Stand for more art therapy ideas including this art in a recycled heart chocolate box.
Today, in honor of ANZAC Day, we’re shining a spotlight on a truly unique Australian artist — The Barefooted Welder, aka Michael Dudley. Based in North Queensland, Michael is known for his raw, imaginative sculptures made entirely from scrap metal. His work is bold, unapologetically rustic, and deeply rooted in both environmental and emotional storytelling.
What makes his work so compelling isn’t just the way he repurposes over seven tonnes of steel, copper, and aluminum — it’s the intention behind each piece. Michael doesn’t just weld metal; he breathes new life into forgotten fragments. From massive animals to symbolic figures, his sculptures are a mash-up of chaos and beauty, and they demand attention.
One piece that especially caught our eye (and hearts) this week is his striking metal poppy wreath, a tribute for ANZAC Day. The wreath, made from rusted salvaged metal and sculpted entirely by hand, is a stunning and deeply moving symbol of remembrance. It captures the essence of sacrifice and memory, but through a sustainable lens that makes you think twice about what we throw away.
Michael has a way of breaking the rules with his art — he even describes his process as “messy,” which we think is the perfect kind of energy when working with unpredictable materials. He creates without blueprints, often barefoot, guided more by instinct than plan — which somehow makes his pieces feel even more alive.
Whether it’s his life-size Bengal tiger sculpture created to raise awareness of endangered species or a delicate flower made of rusty washers, the Barefooted Welder is a reminder that art can be powerful, messy, meaningful, and sustainable all at once.
So, on this ANZAC Day, we celebrate artists like Michael who use their creativity to honor the past while also protecting the future — one sculpture at a time.
You know, this gives me an idea for something else using candy boxes! I get the Whitman’s brand box chocolates in sugar free for the hubs. I’ve kept a pile of them thinking they would be good for some sort of crafts (they look like cigar boxes). You could use each half as a shadow box display on the wall for small things. I have a collection of seashell animals that have needed a wall hung display for years and this is what I’m going to do for them now. Thanks for posting great ideas that inspire me.