Spent mower blades. Rusting garden trowels. Used spark plugs. They’re all things you would set out for weekly trash collection, right? Not for Judy and Lou Hagen.
Now semi-retired from long-distance trucking, the Hagens devote much of their time to a unique artistic business based out of their home near Millsboro, Del. Second Time Designs, which began as a hobby in 1999, offers recycled metal art sculptures in every shape and size imaginable, from small flowers to giant giraffes.
The Hagens, who are the business’ only employees, were married at the age of 17.
“We had nothing, so whatever we found, we used,” explained Judy Hagens. They continue that habit today, salvaging any material they find and transforming it into art.
Scrap metal from farm auctions and yard sales, ranging from buckets to blades to blender beaters, is cleaned up, welded by Lou, primed, painted by Judy and finished as whimsical yard decorations. Bumper guards from old Volkswagens are formed into birds, vintage army helmets become turtles, and serving spoons are used as iris petals in just a few pieces of their expansive collection.
While the use of repurposed materials gives the artwork much of its personality, the history and circumstance often add to its character, as well.
“Every piece has a story,” said Judy. “Like the rocking horse that went to Moscow.”
The story? During their first year in business, the Hagens used a small, limited welding machine. At the time, they owned an old Russian tractor, which they adorned with a “for sale” sign and parked out front of their home. They used the profits from selling the Russian tractor to invest in a larger welder, and their first completed project using the new machinery was a rocking horse made for a local woman’s grandson who, coincidentally, lived in Russia.
“We sold a Russian tractor to get a welder to make a rocking horse that went back to Russia!” Judy Hagens noted with a laugh. “It was like a vicious circle!”
The Hagens used that same welder to build Dolly, a biker chick, and Woody, who reside in the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, where self-taught artists like Judy and Lou display a wide range of art forms. They have also made two Spongebobs, one of which is displayed at the A.I. Dupont Children’s Hospital. The other is awaiting a trip to Philadelphia Children’s Hospital.
The talented couple is always coming up with new things, and they like to experiment with their work.
“It’s a live-and-learn thing,” Judy Hagens excitedly pointed out about her work. “Art isn’t necessarily a functional thing, but when I find something I can make that has a purpose, it’s fun!” This relationship of decoration and functionality can be found in mailboxes, chairs and other items the Hagens have built.
Their commitment to sustainability is surpassed only by their dedication to quality. Judy uses oil paints to outlast years of harsh weather, topped with car finish to minimize scratches. In the event that a customer’s art does get damaged, they fix it and ship it right back.
“They bought something, and I want it to last,” said Judy. “It’s got my name on it!”
The quality of their work is further evidenced by the fact that 92 percent of their sales are from repeat buyers. “They have it, they like it, and they want more of it!” Judy noted.
Due to the volume of pieces they send out-of-state and overseas, the Hagens are also committed to eco-friendly shipping. In place of packing peanuts and bubble wrap, Judy secures her art in boxes with empty plastic bottles. Lou brings home packing materials from his summer job at Pinnacle Foods, and together they build their own boxes, instead of purchasing them new.
In keeping with the green spirit, the Hagens also have a small deck upon which much of their art is displayed that was itself built out of reclaimed wood from old pickle tanks Lou disassembled at his job.
While they recognize the great potential for growth for Second Time Designs, the Hagens enjoy the “small” part of being a small business. Occasionally, Judy’s 90-year-old mom will come down from Pennsylvania to do primer work with them, but it is otherwise a company of two.
“I don’t want to make 50 of the same thing,” said Judy. “Besides, how do you put your name on something someone else did?”
Judy and Lou spend almost all of their spare time unleashing their talents in their studio. When asked if she had any hobbies outside of art, Judy replied, “I don’t like traveling. We travelled trucking. I don’t like going out to eat. We ate out when we were on the road.” From time to time, the Hagens can be found riding their motorcycle together, or fishing out on the water, but their art is their first love.
To experience the Hagens’ work in person, or to become a proud owner of a unique piece of their art, find them at their studio on Route 24 between Millsboro and Lewes, call (302) 945-3988 or visit www.2ndtimedesigns.com online.
So, the next time you go to throw out an old gardening tool or car part, think twice about what you or someone else could do with it – you might be able to go green and create a second-time design!
