It's not art.

It's called metal garden art but it isn't art. It is craft. And this is the time these durable garden ornaments begin appearing on neighbourhood lawns and gardens. Some are new but many are simply reappearing after winter storage.

These metal pieces are often made offshore in place like China, India or Bangladesh but sometimes they are locally made. Wherever these are made they are cranked out in vast numbers. It is not unusual to come across the same piece in three, four or more garden centres.

Still, people love 'em. I'm embarrassed to admit it but the cat pictured above almost found a home on my lawn.