As the air turns crisp and the holiday season begins to twinkle on the horizon, many of us are thinking about finding that perfect, unique gift—the kind of present that really says, “I thought of you.” A wonderful place to look is the booth of our dear friends, Butcher and Beth. They are the creative powerhouse behind Metal Illusions Unique Yard Art (and more!). This isn’t just a business; it’s a true “mom and pop” operation fueled by talent, hard work, and genuine heart. Follow Metal Illusions on FB at https://www.facebook.com/Metal.Illusions. If you’re looking to give something unique and memorable this season, join me in exploring the magic they bring to life out of mundane kitchen utensils or a plain sheet of metal.
The story of Metal Illusions spans decades and is rich with color and creativity. Butcher has been working with metal since his younger “hippie days.” (The days of bell-bottoms, tie-dye shirts, and peace and love, man!) He crafted small pieces out of old utensils. Metal Illusions got its true start when he and Beth started their powder coating business in Columbia, PA. Butcher took his metal artistry to the next level. The company began simply, with just three flower designs and a few beloved insects like the dragonfly, grasshopper, butterfly, and ladybug. Over the past fifteen years, that initial spark has evolved into the diverse, eye-catching collection you see today.
Butcher is the visionary behind the metal work. He can truly “see things” in his head. The design process starts with a simple sketch pad, where he turns doodles into reality. A lot of thought, heart, and labor goes into simply deciding what to make next.
With pieces ranging from small stakes to large sculptures, Metal Illusions has art to fit both your garden and your wallet. You can find small garden stakes featuring playful creatures like frogs, praying mantis, hearts, and mini-flowers ($6 – $25). I used two beautiful metal hearts in a photo by AzarElGreetings.com. My personal favorites are their gorgeous medium and large metal flower stakes. Some feature solar lights for a stunning nighttime glow. There are also indoor/outdoor large decorative cutouts like manatees, seahorses, and deer heads. (Brian and I have a gorgeous Harley Davidson design on our walls!)
Beth and Butcher always rotate their stock with delightful seasonal items. For fall, there are pumpkin and ghost stakes. For winter there are tree and snowflake stakes plus nativites, gnomes, and large tree wall hangings. I especially love the Christmas trees featuring the nativity scene, a piece that brings an instant smile. Everything is subject to change depending on what Metal Illusions whips up! With new creations released annually, it’s easy to build a colorful garden collection that shines throughout the entire year.
For the collector or the person who truly has everything, Butcher also takes on a few enormous custom orders each year. These pieces are truly one-of-a-kind and never duplicated, making them the ultimate unique gift. Butcher creates these rare pieces as his schedule allows.
The secret ingredient in their metal art? It’s their teamwork. Every piece is a joint effort, a tribute to Beth and Butcher’s solid marriage and deep friendship. Everything is made in stages. Beth cuts and bends the metal parts for all but the thickest pieces. Butcher dedicates full days to the meticulous work of welding all the components together. Once the pieces are assembled, Beth tackles what she calls the “Tetris game” of loading the large, six-foot-deep powder coat oven. Finally, Butcher steps in to carefully spray the powder coat onto every surface in a special filtration booth. The finish is vibrant and durable.
As a bonus, this truly is a family affair—they enjoy getting their grandkids involved at the production level in the shop and having them help out at the shows! Customers sense this teamwork and sincere effort, which is why they fall in love with the art and the artisans. As Rhonda’s testimonial perfectly sums up, “Their work is so beautiful, but the kindness of the owners is beyond compare…They have great products to be used personally or as awesome gifts.”
As if running Metal Illusions weren’t enough, both Butcher and Beth have additional creative outlets. Garage Boys (in Columbia PA) is Butcher’s powder coat shop. He will powder coat anything metal that they can pick up. He’s also powder coated motorcycle and car parts; even some prototypes. Restoring and re-coating metal lawn chairs and gliders is especially popular right now. The old paint is stripped off down to the bare metal and repairs are made. Call Butcher at 717-449-3172 for any custom powder coating needs.
Meanwhile, Beth runs her own amazing conglomerate called “Bootleg Betty.” She makes Personalized Keepsakes, Gifts & Custom T’s and can print on almost anything! She offers customized cutting boards or serving trays that can feature a family recipe imprinted in the original handwriting. Think mugs, t-shirts, and even fabrics. She also does sublimation printing on metal. For the holidays, she can create personal, heart-touching memorial ornaments. Recently, she’s also added 3-D printing to her repertoire, always aiming to make both the little kids and “big kids” laugh. If you visit their booth with kids, they might discover little 3-D printed critters that are free on discovery. What a sweet random act of kindness!
Follow Beth and “Bootleg Betty” on Facebook or give her a buzz at 717-682-0878.
If you want to treat someone to a gift that is beautiful, enduring, and made with immense care, visit Metal Illusions at a craft show this holiday season. Forget the generic mall items—come meet these wonderful artisans and see their incredible array of metal art, 3D print items, and small giftables.
Here is where you can find Beth and Butcher over the coming weeks:
Can’t make it to a show? Follow Metal Illusions on FB at https://www.facebook.com/Metal.Illusions.
Bring your holiday shopping list, prepare to be amazed by their craftsmanship, and experience the warmth and kindness that Butcher and Beth bring to every single piece. I can guarantee you’ll walk away with gifts as special as the friends who made them!
P.S. Visit AzarÉl Greetings at one of our four remaining craft shows for heartwarming, original photography of birds and critters from our own backyard. AzarÉl Greetings photography is available as greeting cards, giftables, and giclées. The birds and critters are always up to something new!
Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Original Photography
| 997 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Original Photography
| 1000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Original Photography
| 1000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 1000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, three panel triptych, 20" x 33" (w/ 3/4" gaps)
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
