2011 Vermont Flower Show Featured Artisan

Essex Junction, Vermont - March 4, 2011 A trip to the Vermont Flower Show is stepping into a dream world with castle gates, a dramatic bridge and all the colorful landscaping touches you could imagine. But making fantasy reality took time.

"I think I started attending meetings in September," said Lou Nop of Nop's Metalworks.

We checked in with Lou Nop earlier this week as he was installing some of the large pieces he created for the theatrical displays.

"It's what we enjoy most as a company is the unique projects," Nop said.

For eight years, Nop's Metalworks in Middlebury has been a full-service company, doing everything from small furniture repairs to massive structural projects, blacksmithing and welding on fences, gates, sconces, and more.

"We take a lot of pride in our work," Nop said.

For the Vermont Flower Show, Nop was in charge of creating the metal frame for a garage-sized bird's nest, the doors to a castle and a lit arched bridge.

"It's like walking into another world," Nop said.

Nop admits even he was surprised with the way it all turned out. Most of his work is custom for homes or businesses, but can you really imagine a scene like this on your property?

"It takes the right setting for that bridge," Nop said. "But we've built other bridges for other people's residences."

He's already gotten questions about whether the castle gates could be shrunken way down for the entrance to a pool, for example. That flexibility may be why more and more consumers are choosing small businesses over box stores, even though they usually do come with higher prices.

"It's also just to get people excited" said Melita Bass of the Vermont Flower Show. "He can use his work to get people excited about plants and gardening and spring."

Lou Nop hopes the Vermont Flower Show gets visitors thinking about ways they can add creativity to their homes, and looking for local businesses that can help them execute their visions.

"It's all Made in Vermont!" Nop said.

The Vermont Flower Show runs through Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction. Then there's a sale of flowers and other plants used in the displays. Click here for more information.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News