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Artist Recycles Discarded Keys to Transform Them Into Unique Decor

Australian craftsman Moerkey, also known as Michael Moerkerk, recycles discarded keys and transforms them into unique works of art. It all started when he was supposed to be cleaning out his shed and he came across some old copper pipe. He then cut it into rings and began honing a technique that lead to the creation of decorative spheres, bowls, figures, and more.

Moerkerk bends and twists keys to alter them in unexpected ways. Instead of unlocking doors, they're now bottlenecks and wine stems. The artist uses a variety of keys with differently-shaped heads and bodies and attaches them edge to edge. As a result, there are gaps between every key, and it produces wonderful shadows when lit by a tea light or the shining sun.

Everything by Moerkerk is made-to-order through his Moerkey Etsy shop.

Moerkey Etsy shop and Facebook page
via [Twisted Sifter]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
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