A Co-operative Gallery of Regional Artists
214 North First Avenue, Sandpoint Idaho 83864
(208) 263-2642 or email us
Open 7 days a week; 10am – 6pm daily, Sundays 11:am – 5:pm
About our metals
What do we mean when we say this flower was a school bus or wash machine or an automobile? It’s exactly that! Sometimes, you can tell by the colors of our flowers that they once were a ’57 lavender Lincoln, and sometimes the guessing game is half the fun of owning an Alderete/Klein flower garden! Aging of these flowers is the natural process of spending time in the metal scrap yard before being rescued for a new life in your yard. Our recycled work is normally without additional finish, so that your flowers will continue to oxidize and evolve in appearance.
Most of the shiny-coated work of ours has been powder-coated, which helps prevent rusting. Rust is impossible to keep totally at bay; we try to prevent it, but it is not a perfect science. That is why powder coating helps prevent oxidation, but the owner of a powder-coated piece needs to know that simple maintenance is needed to keep it shiny by frequent application of wax, such as car wax, to prevent the natural aging process happening too soon, especially on pieces displayed outside.
The pieces that have a “flat” finish have been oiled, and should be kept inside.
Mirror, Mirror Mary also works in amber jewelry, using the finest Balkan amber available. She learned the craft of jewelry by working with Derk. 
Lamp
The two do wonderful, fanciful garden flowers, elaborate garden gates, and wall sculptures of fish, etc. The metal they use is recycled and/or used, cut from steel with a plasma cutter then hand worked. A process called "powder coating" protects the finished work whereby the color is baked into the metal for several hours at a high temperature. With reasonable care, it is rust resistant for up to 20 to 30 years, depending on the usage.
Dual Flowers
Flower Garden
Balkan Amber
Derk's heritage includes his grandfathers who were builders and blacksmiths. His father was a boat builder, and Derk began working with his father in metal at age seven. After mastering the craft of metal work, he studied with prominent artists - Jan Sieriuis and Theo Niermeyer in his native Holland, and other sculptors in Poland.
Mary, who attended college in California, has long worked with fibers and in designing artwork; her media includes concrete sculpting, both upright and flat. She has designed and made her and Derk's clothing since living in Poland, and designs and makes sheepskin and cowhide slippers.
Because all of our artwork is original, the exact piece you see pictured here may not be available. Therefore, please email Art Works for prices and availablity, or phone (208) 263-2642.
