I want to try one of lazydaisy's heligan ladies, and now that I've seen your amazing fountain I want to try a fountain.
That's two anyway.
I can't wait to see your coffee table and wall art.
Debbie

rustinj
I just finished another 3 piece Peeking over the Fence Grot.
The nose was too weak (the nose holds him on the fence) on my first one and broke so I put a little rebar in it .
I won't post pictures (he's an ugly little grot)but the link will give you the gist of the idea. That's where I got it. :)
I expect these to sell very well although I doubt I will make very many because I don't use molds. But if someone crafty made a mold for the fingers and one for the head it could be cool.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:67681}}

Thanks, Debbie!

Yes, the heligan ladies would be at the top of my list too...if I had a yard. Fountains are a great learning experience, as well. Good luck with your projects and please post the final results of your Easter Island head.

Justin

I wish I had summer project goals! I started playing with concrete about this time last year when I ran across this forum and saw the great things people were doing. For me it was seeing my first concrete leaf that made me want to make my own. The enthusiasm of this group kept me inspired. I am hoping for a similar surge of project ideas this spring to get my creative juices going.
Of course I guess I could finish painting the rest of the concrete leaves I made last summer!
Laura

I have a definite goal:Our major craft show for the summer,in August.So,masks,Mr. Tree Head(like Mr.Potato Head),fountains of various sizes and shapes(hint:Styrofoam covered in concrete),fake rocks to cover septic cleanouts(not art but profitable!)and balls,of differing sizes,which could be planters or fountains.I'm also providing concrete slabs with our Rotary symbol on them for a local project.
Whew!..Oh,and we're looking at providing pieces to a couple of garden centers(centres(?))here on the coast.
Hope I can keep up!!!
Cheers from here

It seems concrete bonsai pots are more popular than I imagined.
Especially made to order.
There are so many nice one's on the net I was surprised.
I made a couple for a friend. They were OK in my view, but he loved them.
Now I have 3 notes on my desk from his friends asking if I can do very specific designs and colors. One is complely out of my league (a faux bois design) but the other two are bonsai slabs are very doable but also challenging.
I love custom one off projects. If I could make money doing custom work it would be like I died and went to heaven.

Wow, Rick, that's a lengthy list! I'd like to get in a show some day...best of luck to you. I hope we get a chance to see some of it.

David, I think the slabs are a good niche for the hypertufa/concrete media. I have some bonsai that will be getting new planters this summer. The trick for me will be making a reservoir big enough so that I don't have to water them twice a day.

Justin

Hi Justin
Watering is exactly why my friend wanted to try two water/land bonsai pots. He wants to wick water from the water side to the land side.
He's a forest fire fighter and he lost two of his bonsias last year while he was away longer than expected.
He couldn't find what he wanted anywhere, which was the water side to be higher/deeper than the land side so I made him a couple.

Slabs are cool but I have never seen a real one only pictures on the net. One fellow wants a slab that imitates a rock ocean shore. I'm still thinking over that.

More hardscaping for me: My number one goal is finishing the block wall on both sides. I've started cranking out blocks again although my mixer is on the fritz, so I'm hand mixing.

When that's done, I'm moving into the back yard for a column pergola/patio and another retaining wall. Since this wall will actually be retaining a grade, we'll be buying those wall blocks that I hate and I'll be making capping stones. I've really vacillated about making the blocks myself but sanity has to intercede somewhere. (Somebody stop me!)

I really admire Rick and others who are concentrating on making this ridiculous obsession pay for itself. I cut back to half-time work this year to give myself a chance to pursue a career in this stuff but so far I've spent most of my time on yard projects.

Deb

David,
That sounds like a common problem...trees drying out on the slabs. Don't forget a plug hole for winter to keep ice out of the reservoir. That oversite cost me a few planters in the past.

Deb, it sounds like you're pursuing a career in construction and landscaping :) That sounds beyond the scope of a summer-sized project. Good luck :)

My summer project is just anything tufa! Actually, I found this neat vent cover from a building that I'm going to use as a lantern top. Starting on it this weekend by making a latex mold, as it's STILL to cold up here for curing!
Leigh

Hi To Everyone..Have been so busy just working and working on one of my spring/summer projects. A pondless fountain using the mill wheel I made last year. It is just about complete.Will post pictures when I get it done...I am planning on making some more hosta stepping stones for another path and I want to make 3 hosta leaves or some other kind of tufa/cement tables for the patio ( I haven't thought them through yet so not sure how I will make them)..hope everyone is getting and enjoying the nice weather we Canookians are finally having in Southwestern Onatrio
Deborah