Rust Bucket Metalworks / Bill Councell

Rust Bucket Metalworks / Bill Councell Specializing in up-cycled metal artwork. At age 8 Billl Councell started welding. His father, Gladwin County's last blacksmith, was born in 1897.

As a grade schooler, Bill helped his dad who was no longer steady enough to weld. To this day Bill loves to weld and share his artistic talents.

August 23. September 3
09/03/2026

August 23. September 3

07/07/2026

In 2018, officials in the Brdy region of the Czech Republic, a protected landscape south of Prague, set out to fix a problem. Decades earlier, the military had dug drainage channels that dried out the local wetlands. To undo the damage, the government planned to build a series of small dams that would restore the wetland and protect a nearby river from acidic pollution, safeguarding rare species like the stone crayfish.

They secured the funding, roughly 30 million Czech crowns, about $1.2 million. And then the project ground to a halt.

For the next seven years, it went nowhere. The plan got tangled in permits, environmental approvals, and disputes over who actually owned the land. Agencies negotiated with the military and the river authority, paperwork shuffled back and forth, and the wetland stayed dry while everyone waited.

Then, one day, officials went out to the site and found the job already done.
A family of about eight beavers had moved into the exact spot where the dams were meant to go and built them, out of wood, mud, and stones, entirely on their own. And they had not just matched the plan. Experts who inspected the work said the beavers had chosen their locations perfectly, creating a thriving wetland with pools and canals that was twice the size of what the government had designed on paper.

The rodents had completed a $1.2 million project for free, and arguably done it better.

This seagull found a secluded stop to nest. White spot in middle of new excavation.
05/07/2026

This seagull found a secluded stop to nest. White spot in middle of new excavation.

The Binford Firepit. I cut a round propane tank (yes it was emptied first) in half and added wheels and handle. Almost 3...
03/12/2026

The Binford Firepit. I cut a round propane tank (yes it was emptied first) in half and added wheels and handle. Almost 30 years old now.

Twenty plus years ago, my mom accompanied us to church, and we sang Amazing Grace together. Her comment afterwards - 'Ho...
03/03/2026

Twenty plus years ago, my mom accompanied us to church, and we sang Amazing Grace together. Her comment afterwards - 'How did they know it's my favorite hymn?' - has stayed with me and motivates my music string art to this day.

Definitely the WINTER Olympics as our roofs drop snow in avalanche
02/16/2026

Definitely the WINTER Olympics as our roofs drop snow in avalanche

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. Sharing a big bouquet of flowers. Know you are loved.
02/14/2026

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. Sharing a big bouquet of flowers. Know you are loved.

02/07/2026

Just finished four Fire Ravaged Metal Tree Sculptures inspired by a visit to Glacier National Park after a forest fire. Usage: pure artwork, jewelry tree, ornament tree.

Address

9462 Clay Road
Traverse City, MI
49684

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

(231) 631-2668

Website

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