Folks on the garden junk forum are experts on this type of thing. you might want to post there.

Mimi

These prices were the best (by HUNDREDS of $$) that I saw, but this has grapes on the end (work around it?). I can't believe how pricey molds are!

jeanne

Here is a link that might be useful: History Stones

Have you considered just building your own mold out of wood? Could use bender board for a curved shape. Just a thought from somebody who can not afford purchased molds.

Would it be just as cost effecient (compared to doing all that hard work of mixing and pouring) to just buy a concrete bench vs buying a mold? I saw them at Lowes for about $50.00 and just do the mosaic work on top?

I bought a very nice concrete bench a few years ago. There is a man near here who make all types of concrete statuary, fountains, benches, etc. This year we built a new pergula and I plan to move the bench under it and do a mosaic top. I hav alread begun collecting my tesserae. This is a stand alone pergula quite some distance from the house. I have been thinking about doing some mosaic work on the wood frame? Does anyone know if it would within stand temperatures below freezing? We don't get a lot of really cold weather but it does dip into the teens or 20s each year. I plan to visit the "House of Shards" the first weekend in April, perhaps I will get a chance to discuss this with that wonderful artist.

Check out the "Hypertufa" forum. Folks there are making similar items from 'tufa and/or cement all the time.

I don't recommend you mosaic onto wood, Twilight. It's not stable enough because all wood has water in it (unless it's recently been kiln dried) and your mosaic will eventually crumble.

I made a bench out of a "tufa" mix, using cement, sand and peat moss. I created a mold out of styrofoam, and then filled it with the mix, let set, and voila! a concrete bench. If you would like more detailed instructions on how I did it just let me know!
Heather (redhead70)

5 years ago I bought a cement bench and broke up floor tiles to put on top. Then grouted and sealed. It's still in perfect condition except for an occasional bird plop!

Purchasing a mold and making your own can be expensive, but it depends on where you live and the availability of quality statuary whether or not to buy pre-cast.

If you can buy one for around $50 pre-made, you're better off. Mosaicing a premade one should hold up well, especially if grouted and sealed.

e-mail me for details on making your own bench, obtaining molds, etc. My DH is in the statuary business, knows ALL KINDS of tricks.

I made a small one person bench using a laundry basket as a mold, It turned out great. Also you can use the plastic storage bens that slide under the bed for storing wrapping paper. For legs cheap plastic trash cans work great. Don't forget to grease them up with something. After I made my bench, I washed the laudry basket and I still use it for laundry.

www.delphiglass.com
they have bench molds.
stepping stones too.