Allison,
Your sand casting and molding is so fun to look at. What a variation of styles from very classic birdbath (VERY NICE) I like that the base is in two parts, to the molded faces. I especially like the sand cast panel with the chimes hanging in the middle. How big is the panel and how is it supported or how is it intended to be displayed? Also is the back side also embedded with stones or art pieces?
Thank you for sharing your creative abilities.
Dena

I'm not very familiar with the lingo, but I don't think I did any sand casting.
The birdbath's posts were formed in wooden boxes.
The windchimes were laid on a plywood sheet and smaller plywood sides were proped up with cinderblocks. The center was created by using a tub in the 'box' to create the void. I have rebar running from top to bottom on both sides and chicken wire in the base. I've had it standing in a sandy pit in my yard with the bottom 3" or so buried for the past year. It hasn't fallen yet.
At the time I did the windchimes I didn't know how to do art on both sided. In fact, I just found out via GW that you can use contact paper to place the stones on the 'bottom' of the form. (Let me know if there is a better trick.)
As far as a display place for the windchimes, I might just end up with it behind Buhdda at my koi pond.

Allison, great picture! To answer your question- I would say it is a totem more than a grot. Looks great! MSW

Allison,
Thank you for your explaination. Your panel looks as though it could have been sand cast, in a tray of damp sand, which would allow you to place your stones face down (the side you will eventually want showing)and wiggle them into the sand so that there is a portion of the stone that the mix will grab to, then make your impressions in the damp sand, even insert the tub for the void where the chimes are, and your reinforcement too. After it set for several days you could then turn it over. If you laid a piece of pvc tubing in each of the sides you could then run a piece of rebar into the ground and position the panel over the rebar.
Again very nice panel and I really like the chimes in the center.
Dena

Thanks for reposting the pictures or whatever you did.I like the design of the wind chime as well. And I like the round planter. What did you use to get that texture?Kwel stuff.

Wow! Nice stuff! I like the clean classic lines of your birdbath--very sophisticated. Your faces are cute, whatever they're called.

I've been thinking about your windchime panel all morning, too, and had the same idea Dena did about embedding pvc pipe. I really, really like it...good idea! I wonder if the rebar were thick enough and buried deep enough, or even set in concrete if one could stack panels on top of each other?

Oh, the places my mind goes when I'm supposed to be working...

Deb

Really nice pics, I especially enjoyed the windchimes, and faces and birdbaths, well what the heck, liked them all!You have a very nice elegant sort of style with the birdbaths and wind chime, the faces cute and funky.
Cindy

DebZone8,
I, like you have been sent reeling from what Dena suggested. Imagine having a way to create a totem that you can rearrange. Somehow connect them with a Lego effect with rebar and pvc.

What ya'll see is basically everything I've ever made. Pots still confound me. I haven't had much luck. It seems to get them deep enough to hold something, you're looking at a lot of weight. And I just can't handle them. I love the tutorials that I've seen online.

My next project is going to be a landing pad at the bottom of some steps. I want to use the stones on their ends and create a starburst design. Kinda like a permanent welcome mat.

DebZone8,
I almost forgot your question on the round planter.

I used one of those black plastic witch's kettle that you fill for candy at Halloween. I got it at Walmart. I cut it in half then taped it back together with duct tape. Filled it with a bag of sand in the void. I didn't have to do anything to it to get the bubble effect. The texture is from the mold. The kettle is still very usable for next time.