Recycled art is undoubtedly cool. And for an artist who's all about the steampunk aesthetic, there's no better source of recycled materials than old watches. Susan Beatrice takes the inner workings of old watches and creates delicate, intricate, lifelike pieces — and because they're made of old metal gears, levers and screws, her pieces carry an awesome steampunk vibe.
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When Old Parts Of Watches Are Put Together, It's Actually Instantly Adorable
Susan takes pride in the fact that her art is totally green, because it's all totally recycled.
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Look at this intricate and adorable seahorse. I want a hundred of them to float around me so I can feel like the steampunk Little Mermaid.
This means not only that materials are cheap, but also that her art doesn't harm the environment.
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This crow AND the branch it's perching on is all made of watch parts. It's amazing how much detail Susan can put into the designs just with old parts.
There can be no doubt that it takes nimble fingers to do what Susan does.
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I'm not usually a big fan of bugs, but if they looked like this I might have to hop aboard the bee train. Get it? Bee train? I'll show myself out.
When you take apart even a large watch, it's incredible to see how tiny, and how numerous, its inner components are.
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This squirrel manages to be the perfect combination of adorable and intricately elegant. Every piece is used with an specific purpose.
Susan has worked on all sorts of artistic endeavors, including collaborations with movie studios.
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But her real passion lies in her recycled art, and I can see why. This adorable little mouse is only the size of her fingertip!
This eco-friendly approach is what inspired the name of her project, All Natural Arts.
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This crab kind of looks like he could be an enemy from some cool, futuristic video game. I think it's the red eyes.
She uses the recycled goods to create critters we share the environment with
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They're incredibly cute, aren't they? This bunny could've come straight out of a children's book — just look at that happy face, all made entirely with recycled watch parts!
These run the gamut from critters you might see in your back garden...
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Like this adorable mouse with a scarf clearly heading on the adventure of a lifetime.
...to fantastical beasts from fairy tales.
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Like this golden frog who would probably grant you a wish if you managed to catch it hopping around a hidden pond.
The combination of the natural theme and the steampunk, gearhead aesthetic creates a unique juxtaposition.
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Like most steampunk, it manages to look retro and futuristic all at once — and the natural element adds another, magical layer to that combination.
Many of the watch components are beaten up, carrying rust or a discolored hue.
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But this only enhances the look of the finished piece. It makes these pieces look like they come from an alternate universe.
The components were never intended to be turned into a cat, but Susan's attention to detail gives her creations a weirdly lifelike appearance.
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It really feels like if this was a video and not a picture, we'd be able to see this kitty walking around and going about their kitty business.
In addition to watch parts, Susan also uses other recycled materials.
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Some of her pieces are more fantastical than lifelike, like this charming little leprechaun who promises to bring you good luck.
Some of these materials are found items, like old jewelry or sea glass.
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The process of building these pieces must be a fascinating one to watch — everything must be so delicate and precise.
It's clear that Susan won't complete a piece unless she has the perfect parts to match her artistic vision.
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There's never a single piece used superfluously or that looks out of place.
Make sure to check out all of Susan's awesome art!
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You can find her All Natural Arts series on her Facebook page and if you're interested in purchasing some pieces, you can do so off her website.
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