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Weather vanes could soon be popping up in yards across East Tennessee, topped with flying pigs, collegiate logos, sailboats, race cars, dancing frogs, eagles, hummingbirds, catfish and black bears. That's the hope of one Lenoir City man whose new vocation has him in a shop at home cranking out these decorative and functional works of art.

Tom Yeagle uses computer-generated designs of lighthouses, woodpeckers, horses, cats and other animals and laser cuts them into sheet metal which is then triple-coated to last outdoors for years. The weather vanes can be mounted on roofs, placed in gardens, mounted on decks or posts, Yeagle explained. Each measures 5 feet tall, with the toppers easily removed for a new look each season. His business is called Goodline Creations.

"I have only been doing this for about two years," Yeagle explained. "I saw it up north at a craft show and decided to learn it for myself."

He orders all of his materials, including the sheet metal, coatings and steel pipes and also purchased some expensive tools to be able to cut and mount the decorative tops. The crafter said some people choose to display the weather vanes inside their homes and he has the stands to accommodate.

His most popular design is a horse, followed closely by the rooster and flying pig. "That one is a conservation piece," he explained.

'Show'ing off

In addition to the animal designs, Yeagle also has a license to create collegiate weather vanes, and those sell big in places like East Tennessee, Florida, Georgia and Ohio. He is making certain to bring several University of Tennessee vanes when he sets up at the Fall Arts and Crafts Fair to be held Friday and Saturday at New Midland Plaza in Alcoa. There will be 60 artists displaying and selling a host of items including jewelry, baskets, home baked goodies, purses, embroidery, photography and more.

Before he got into this vocation, Yeagle worked in the insurance business for years and also worked for a friend in the plastics import industry. When he left those jobs, this retiree said he looked around for something to keep him busy.

"I had to get into something," he said.

Yeagle and his wife travel six months of the year to show and sell the weather vanes. The largest show they have attended was in New Bern, N.C. where 50,000 people attended. The town is close to some military bases and this duo did a good business with their Marine and Army items. Yeagle has also participated in the Nawger Nob arts and crafts show in Townsend and the one in Lenoir City.

Sturdy product

The weather vanes sell for $43.95 and will last outdoors for many years, Yeagle said. He also sells the toppers for $12.95 each. Some people like to use different ones at Christmas, Halloween or for the different seasons of the year, Yeagle pointed out. And come football season, team alliance becomes priority for many.

The weather vanes come with a steel rod which is tapped into the ground with a hammer. The actual weather vane pole then slides down over it and keeps its 5-foot height. Once you set up the instrument properly, the moving parts will register the wind's direction.

He can take orders and ship the instruments anywhere. He gets busiest from October through December. Every weekend is booked up with craft shows from November through April, Yeagle said.

He's taken a look around and found not much in the way of competition. Yeagle said the items are more popular further north, although if he has his way, that will soon change.

It is fun to create these pieces of art, but this crafter said the best part is taking to the road and meeting other artists. The traveling families become friends and share information on where the best shows can be found. The Internet has also become a great source of information, this artist said.

There are some places that make their shows a three-day event. It's a great way to spend retirement, Yeagle said.

Putting some change in your pocket while doing it makes it even better.