SUBLETTE, Ill. — In the right hands, even everyday objects can be transformed into things of beauty.

A good example are the gas and oil cans cleaned up and painted by Rich Flanagan, also known as “Big D,” of Caledonia, Ill. Flanagan was one of many craftsmen recently displaying his wares at the annual Sublette Toy Show. “This is just a sideline hobby,” he said.

Formerly the director of research and development at Rockford Clutch in Rockford, he said he got his nickname because there were two men named Dick in his department. So, he became known as Big D.

He said he found a few cans at garage sales and auctions, and decided to clean and paint them. Friends saw them hanging in his garage and asked him to do more for them.

“You should see how some of them look when I buy them,” he said, with a grin.

He cleans up the rust and takes out the biggest dents – but not all. “I leave some of the dents. Who’s ever owned one of these cans that didn’t have dents in it?”

His gasoline and oil cans come in a variety of shapes and sizes. He paints them yellow and green and adds a John Deere logo, or white and red with an International Harvester logo, or orange and black with a Harley-Davidson logo. He finishes each with a high-gloss clear coat.

“They are usable, but most just end up as decorations,” Flanagan said.

He enjoys talking with potential customers at a variety of shows around northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, including the FFA Toy Show in Marengo, Ill., and shows in White Water, Evansville and Monroe, Wis.