From rust to riches: Artist creates metal marvels
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Someone’s trash is metal artist Jammie Hulse’s treasure.
The Oak Harbor sculpture artist transforms recycled materials into shimmering sculptures intricately shaped into a face, a whale and more. She is showing her five sculptures in an outside showcase in her front yard at 185 West Frostad Road. Hulse plans to add more sculptures to the display in the future, with the possibility of adding larger pieces soon. The sculptures will remain on display until they are sold or unless they are moved to a new location.
Hulse, owner of Broken Rusty Halos LLC, has been creating art for 24 years, turning to metalwork primarily recently.
Finding time to work on her pieces on the weekends and when she has time off from her full-time job, Hulse uses a wide range of materials, including discarded metals, plastic, driftwood and whatever else she comes across. The inspiration for her work is more of a feeling or an instinct. She gets an idea and starts building, she said, with some projects taking six months, like the whale, while others are less time intensive.
The pieces are heavy; it took seven of her friends and members of Mighty to Save Ministry to carry the whale out of her workshop.
“Turning trash into something beautiful is my passion. It gives purpose to discarded materials and to my own journey,” Hulse said. “I hope people feel the love, effort, and detail in each piece. I want my work to bring a sense of peace, simplicity and positivity.”
The metal doesn’t start out beautiful. It begins in a dirty, rusted shape that Hulse cleans, polishes, cuts, shapes and spray paints. Her sculptures are each different, flowing from her imagination. One sculpture is the outcome of the impact of a strong machine. The distorted metal is proof that a mistake can also be beautiful. The sculpture that looks like a face, her personal favorite piece, is full of intricate bends to the metal, proving her expertise is in the little details.
Hulse hopes her work creates a meaningful impact in her community. Her ultimate goal is to have the city of Oak Harbor showcase her work for her, she said, but she is seeking community feedback first. She plans to reach out to the city and explore opportunities through their programs and website in the future, she noted. For now, besides the outside showcase, her work is shown in the Garry Oak Gallery, Nuna’s Bakery, North End Fitness Center and Banana Belt Boats and Yachts in Anacortes.
People can share feedback on Facebook by posting photos and tagging “Jammie Hulse” or “Broken Rusty Halos.” For inquiries, comments or to purchase a piece, email brokenrustyhalos@gmail.com or call 360-499-4750. Larger pieces range from $5,000 to $12,000. Smaller works are available as well.
Hulse asks people not to touch or climb on the sculptures and to avoid jumping over the ditch by the side of the road.
