 There’s a good chance that you’re wasting your ashes! It’s impressive to be able to start a fire, but do you need help planning a safe after-fire protocol?
Don’t get us wrong, ashes are good for a fire. They catch firewood coals and insulate them, allowing your fire to burn at its hottest. But, ash should be removed when it builds up beyond an inch, and at the end of the fire-burning season. Ash is acidic, and it can corrode the bottom of your firepit or fireball, they also can produce toxic fumes when left too long. Be sure to wait at least 24 hours after your last fire before you begin to completely clean out the ashes. Read on to learn how to take care of the ashes in your backyard!
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 From Rome to Germany to France to the world, historical figures influenced culture by crafting garden gnomes. Whatever the threat —evil spirits or annoying critters— these mythical creatures are tasked to protect your garden. Why Display Gnomes? Gnomes make gardens a lot more interesting! For example, you can easily cover a bare patch with one or more of these magical creatures. They go well with fairy gardens and beautifully reflect off the water. Contemporary gnomes come engaged in various activities: sleeping, fishing, gardening, etc. While they primarily used to be depicted doing labor, now, gardeners tend to admire more gnomes in their leisure time.  It All Started in Rome. Even in the beginning, gnomes were crafted to ensure fruitful harvests. The first ones appeared in Rome, depicting the gods, mainly the fertility-diety, Prapius. Sculptors would mold them in terracotta clay, place them in a kiln, then brightly paint them to look ugly. During the Renaissance Era, the Swiss alchemist Paracelsus was the first to describe them as invisible spirits called elementals. He believed they had magical powers to fight off evil spirits, but they would only come out at night. Gnomes started to popularize, and people began referring to them as “grotesques” or “Gobbi.” Griebel’s Gnomes Philip Griebel likely sculpted the first gnome with a red hat in Gräfenroda, Germany, where they were called “Gartenzwerge,” or garden dwarves. In German fairytales, they assisted farmers and protected underground treasures. In the 19th Century, Sir Charles Isham introduced Griebel’s gnomes to the English market. Nicknamed “Lampy,” they became even more popular in Germany. However, Griebel’s credit remained there.  Gnome Production Past the 19th Century By the 1800s, many wealthy families placed gnomes in their gardens. Although it originates in the Hellenistic Period, it wasn’t until 1870 that they coined the red Phrygian cap “Bonnet Rouge,” now symbolizing revolt against the French establishment. After the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, gnomes started trending with much happier faces. But unfortunately, gnome production slowed dramatically during the world wars until 1970. Then, mass production led to the replacement of handicrafts; the cheaper materials lowered quality and increased quantity. “The Traveling Gnome” “The Traveling Gnome” is a game that dates back to the 1970s when a traveler photographed two of his gnomes in Antarctica. Inspiring a group of gnome enthusiasts, they named themselves the French Garden Gnome Liberation Front in the 90s and started stealing gnomes from strangers. Then, after taking them traveling, they would send photos to the original owners. The goal was to “free” the gnomes out of their best interest. In no time, the whole world was playing. One traveler stole a gnome from a Canadian woman for eight months. Then, they returned the gnome, a rare occurrence, with a full photo diary. This is the story behind the movie Amélie. Gnomes have been protecting gardens for centuries, and they’re not going to stop now. So, add a good luck charm to yours. Check out SteelStuff’s gnome stakes finished in Carbon Black, and watch out for those mischievous, but protective guys!  The Western World counts down to March 21st — the start of shower and flower season. Everyone knows gardens usually involve plants, dirt, and sun, but how can you make yours unique? Consider these designs to prepare your garden and patio space for growth and enjoyment!. Sun Salutation Welcome your plant’s essential sunlight with the sun sign. Sold in Carbon Black and Spindle Bronze, this emblem should last your entire life.   Supporting the Climbing Flora Consider this second long-lasting piece: the arbor. Allow your wildflowers to climb this white wall, and the result will be beautiful. Tidy Storage Whether you’re looking to tuck your flowers in a jazzier bed or organize your herbs near the kitchen, the planter is your best bet. Its size, color, shape, and patterns are customizable to fit your oasis. Environmental Illumination Shine some light on your garden with hurricane lanterns. Additionally, lanterns provide other environmental designs to your yard. Display them year-round! Amusing Protection
Feel free to add something silly, like gnome stakes. Garden gnomes are classic, and these guys guard plants in four designs. Imagine the endless social opportunities with a garden like this: cookouts, picnics, birdwatching, harvesting, etc.! So, decorate it with SteelStuff’s niftiest pieces, and you’ll find yourself looking forward to Spring. Happy planting! As the global pandemic drags on, many employees are opting to keep their workers remote. If this sounds like you and you’ve been trying to rediscover inspiration while feeling stuck at home, it’s time to redecorate to make room for a functional home office! Read on for ornamentation advice. Decorating to Enhance Productivity Whether you’re preparing for a Zoom presentation or designing a business proposal, it’s essential your place for productivity be away from your lounging area. Not only does this allow you to get a tax deduction in many cases, but the psychological benefits are many. For example, if you don’t allow yourself to work where you enjoy leisure, you will relax and sleep better off the clock and concentrate better on it. In addition, if you can’t see the TV or dishes and laundry to be done, your mind prioritizes the tasks at hand better. Follow these guidelines to start designing your workspace, and consider what SteelStuff has to offer along the way!  The Desk Your primary piece will have to be your desk, so allow for a bold one! Center it away from the window’s glare, and pair it with an ergonomic chair. Comfort is paramount ‒ even during the hustle.
Open Storage Open storage is one of the easiest and most common organization methods for an efficient office. It offers “grab and go” convenience for any kind of schedule and many options for decor. Bookshelves and wall-mounted storage, holding essential items with pops of color, achieve this effect.
Texture A classy way to decorate your home office is by matching or contrasting textures. Consider using various finishes, mediums, colors, and designs. When you use our privacy screens, you achieve both the aesthetic of texture and the separation of your workspace from your living space. The privacy screens pictured above are being used outside, but they work just as well inside your home!
Coziness
Add warmth and encourage inspiration with any other pieces that speak to your soul without overcrowding with elements like:
Creating coziness is also a great chance to play with lighting. For example, do you need bright light when working to keep you alert, or do your eyes grow tired and need the room dimmed mid-day? Using a combination of shades, curtains, and well-placed lamps gives you the flexibility to illumine the room according to your needs. When your boss tells you it’s time to go remote, it doesn’t have to disrupt your personal life. Just use these tips to produce your best work-from-home office. Feel inspired and make that money! As 2022 approaches, many people struggle to find a resolution that motivates them that they haven’t already tried. Resolve To Spend Quality Time Together After a worldwide period of isolation, human connection is essential more than ever. Quality time, one of the five languages of appreciation, is essential to all humans for healthy living. Did you know that research shows lack of fellowship can be more harmful to your health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure? Further, Social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and improve our immune systems. So rather than the old “spend more time with people you love” cliché, consider improving the quality of that time. For homeowners, this goal can start with renovating your sitting area, so guests know where they can habitually spend time with you. There’s no better place to do this than on your patio or deck! 5 Outdoor SteelStuff Pieces For Your 2022 Patio Creating an intentional space for your loved ones is an enjoyable approach to connecting with them. What you need is a patio that looks inviting to guests. Is there enough seating, dining options, and a private atmosphere? These attributes let people know they can make themselves at home.
1. The Three Sisters This privacy screen is ideal for those who prefer a closed-in space with an outdoor atmosphere, although it looks stunning indoors, as well. It’s especially welcoming to families in Canmore, as the screen is modeled after the Three Sisters mountain range. 2. Planter Set the planter outdoors near your kitchen, and you can efficiently serve your guests your home-grown goodies. It’s cute and provides privacy for the patio! 3. Oxford Fence Topper Make your loved ones feel safe with the private Oxford Fence Topper. This spin-off from the Oxford Fireballs is customizable and fits anywhere.
4. Raised Garden Gardeners that love to cook for their friends would love the enclosed feel of the Raised Garden. It works well next to your dining area. 5. Custom Rolled Firepit That campfire smell rarely fails to lure friends and family in close to talk. The warm glow screams intimate and cozy, perfect for quality bonding. Customize your firepit with a design that represents your family's passions for a vehicle for conversation starters! Committing to increasing the quality time you spend with friends and family is a treat to yourself, too. So, why not take the opportunity to design the patio that you all will love? Creating Warmth That Encourages Engagement Inside These four indoor decorations invite your guests to connect in a more meaningful way.
1. Dragonfly The dragonfly is perfect for welcoming in a new year, as it is widely believed when they fly into your life, positive change is coming. The options for where to place this dragonfly in the home are endless. This beautiful piece of decor will catch the eyes of your guests and rock any finish. Use it to decorate through all the seasons! 2. Love Sign The love sign will remind your friends and family how important they are to you. It fits just about anywhere inside. We offer to finish in a variety of colors in powder-coat and bronze.
3. Lotus Wall Decor
When displayed, the lotus, which embodies enlightenment, reminds us all to strive for a deeper understanding of each other. It works perfectly mounted against the kitchen wall when serving guests dinner. Do you have them over for drinks? It could also display on a bar wall! 4. Candle Holder The flower candle holder stuns company with its beauty. It achieves this as a stand-alone piece or holding a 3” candle. What’s cozier than dimmed lights and a candle’s glow at a dining table? It’s timeless and intimate. Whether engaging with those dearest to you indoors or out, we wish you a very Happy New Year! We get it; you’d rather avoid getting trampled while scrambling for gifts at a crowded store this holiday. It’s a good thing that Alberta online shoppers can find something for everyone at SteelStuff, and what’s more, it can be picked up or delivered! Continue reading this guide for inspiration. Presents For The Whole Family Garden Gnomes and Creatures. With some silly steel gnome stakes in the yard, the kids are sure to be amused. So are the neighbors! From turtles to a variety of life-sized and over-sized creature cut-outs, you can make your property a magical funland for your little animal lover or gardener in the family. Plus, because they are made of steel, they don't even mind being out in the snow! Steel Table. Tables are memory-makers, especially when you can customize their design and they become a piece of art. Put one in the living room, and it could be the table where you place the movie popcorn or the family’s video game console. Or maybe gift one to mom for her to enjoy her wine and cheese nights!    Welcome Sign. Amidst the season of visitors, a customizable welcome sign that reflects your family’s expression of the Holidays would be a treasure for the entire house. What magnetic tokens would you like created to match how your observe this season? For Those Who Enjoy the Finer Things Love Sign. Your loved one can keep this lovely sign as a reminder of your affection. Plus, it’s customizable and displays nicely anywhere! Dragonfly. Available in female and male options and three sizes, these dragonflies add elegance to homes indoors and out. For the Hands-On Outdoorsmen Rack Mount. The proud hunter you know will have a customizable gift to show off his game with this rack mount.
Wood Holder. When you’re the guy that always handles the firewood, a flame-patterned wood holder is convenient. He’ll love that he can store large amounts of lumber without it rolling around. Additionally, you can customize the flames for his fancy. Wood Splitter. Your lumberjack will love their wood splitter for its functionality and its cozy winter aesthetic. In addition to the above items, we offer custom gifts, so you can order some for those individuals that “would just love that!” Put a steel gift to last a lifetime under the tree for everyone you love this winter. Happy Holidays from SteelStuff! It’s time for the leaves to start changing color; perhaps your outdoor home decor could use some enhancing, too. Why not start with the porch or patio? These four trends are fairly easy to achieve and scream Autumn.
1 - Always Include Pumpkins Would it even be fall without pumpkins? Rather than just carving them, you could paint them and arrange them in planters, as well. Their composition could also be displayed on the steps, either symmetrically or asymmetrically.
2 - Light the Mood A warm glow against the colorful leaves creates a classic fall aesthetic. String lights wrapped around the rails or dangling from the ceiling are a great option. Why stop there? Put some lanterns and a firepit or a custom SteelStuff fireball in the mix and feel the warmth you are creating.
3 - Select An Autumn Color Scheme You know the ones: oranges, yellows, reds, and browns. One way to do this is with potted plants. Orange and teal decor is another popular option for 2021. If you want a subtle change, you can simply repaint your door. Lean a custom steel welcome sign from SteelStuff against your door and choose your favorite Fall themed tokens to magnetically place around it.
4 - Keep It Cozy
If you’re the secluded type, this trend is for you. Turn your patio into your little lounge by switching out the furniture to that of harvest theme. How about this gold vein coffee table or stool from SteelStuff? Add a broom against the wall and some privacy screens around the perimeter, and you’ve got it! If you’re looking for an enchanting autumn porch or patio, make sure to snag these steel accents and incorporate these fads. It’s a timeless way to celebrate the changing of the weather. Happy pumpkin season! You probably wouldn’t be spending so much time indoors lately if it weren’t for the lingering wildfire smoke in Alberta. Fortunately, escaping the poor air quality doesn’t mean you can’t take a piece of Mother Nature indoors with you! We’ve gathered outdoorsy trends that will inspire you to create an environment to lift your spirits.
Spoiler: Nature Is Good For You. Allowing yourself a comfortable home is self care, and this is the time for that. The air quality is dangerous for those with asthma as well as pets, and it’s harder to see. Ironically, though, bringing plants indoors will improve the air quality of your home. The mental benefits are so worth it, too. If you have the indoor blues, know that botanicals in the home decrease depression. Natural reminders are calming, and they boost happiness, creativity, energy, along with memory performance. Make a garden that grows on shelves as pictured above!
Feel Like You’re Outside With These Design Fads.
The outdoor-indoor lifestyle has been popular among Pinterest lately; steal these ideas to join the happy homeowners:
Ah, how nice it will be to take a deep breath of fresh air in your home! All is not lost in Calgary; your choice of interior design has a tremendous effect on your lounging experience. Stay safe! It’s mid July: cookout season is in full swing for sure! Over SteelStuff's fireballs and firepits, you’ll be able to jazz up the menu with the following recipes taken from our own family traditions and those of our team. What do you like to cook over an open flame?
1. Skillet Pizza
2. Hobo Pies Hobo pies can be made in foil or a grill iron. Foil
Grill Iron
3. The Ultimate S’more
What is your favorite s'more combination? Tell us in the comments!
4. Open Fire Burgers
5. Percolator or Cezve Coffee
Putting ingredients over an open flame is where culture and memories collide. We are pleased to announce that we offer everything you need to cook over an open flame. Whether it be our NEW adjustable firepit grill, fire poker, or wood holder and wood splitter to make your experience easier, you can find it all on our firepit accessories page! Enjoy spicing up your summer! 
Do you ever smell the first smoke of the season and remember how much you missed having bonfires? We don’t blame you — with their crackling flames, soothing warmth, aesthetically pleasing glows, and excuses to burn your raggedy furniture. What’s especially nice is that you don’t need to make every occasion the same ol’ fire. Refer to these pointers to be one of the best hosts in the neighborhood. Why Bonfires are the Ideal Social Activity There is an abundance of reasons why a bonfire is the optimal gathering right now. In the process of vaccinations, this is a doable social event, as it is outdoors, and chairs can easily be spaced out. Besides, your fire pit doesn’t have business hours like the other places you might consider hanging out at. Unless you opt for costly cuisine and entertainment, bonfires are quite inexpensive, as well. Who doesn’t love the classic hot dogs and pop aesthetic? Additionally, fires are such an accessible way to have quality family time. Pick Your Vessel It’s important for everyone’s safety, that you have a safe way to contain the fire, while still allowing it to breathe to keep it alive. An obvious choice is a firepit. We offer a variety to choose from, from our portable Slip-N-Go, to our customizable Panel and Rolled Firepits. If you want to raise the warmth and up your fire night game, our unique Fireballs are just the thing! Building A Strong Fire Since campfires are so optimal for the upcoming summer season, it’s more than a bonus to know how to start one. Here are the steps we recommend for creating a long-lasting flame:
4. Time to light up. Light the tinder and fire starter from the bottom, so the flame will travel upward. 5. When the festivities are over, you can break up the embers and douse the pit with water, or bury the embers a couple inches in the ground. Soak that in water as well to create mud. You could also always just let the fire out, but never leave it unattended. Checklist for a Fire Get-Together It’s super easy to upgrade your bonfires. Feel free to snag these ideas:
Consider this your guide to having your loved ones asking when they can come back to your firepit. It’s been a hectic time for the world, and chances are, you need to have some fun. May this be the summer of memorable fires. |
