You don't have to use vermiculite for your carvings, perlite works well also. I have experimented with a lot of different mixes for carving. You can make a nice carving mix with 1 portland, 1.5 perlite, and 1.5 fine sand.Here in Canada I have had no problem getting vermiculite, and usually try and get the fine grade zonolite cause I like it best. I am usually able to get a pretty large bag which lasts for a lot of projects.I think Dena lives in the Seattle area, she may be able to tell you where to pu a large bag which will last you for a while. It is usually way less expensive to go for the big bag anyhow.
Cindy

LL --- There was a scare (and, of course lawsuits) a while back based on the vermiculite taken from one mine that happened to also have a vein of asbestos. Vermiculite itself does not contain asbestos, but since the two are often found in close proximity, it needs to be constantly monitored for contamination, which, apparently, the operators of the offending mine failed to do. End result was that many of the big chains were afraid of the liability risk and simply stopped carrying it. Try ordering through a smaller garden center, that how some of the folks around here get theirs.

All my best --- Tango

Ladylong,
If this helps I just recently purchased a 4 cu. ft bag of Zonolite (brand name) vermiculite at a construction supply company for under $10.
Good luck,
Rhonda

Klinger -- I know I don't HAVE to have it, but I like how it looks. :) And I like having vermiculite as an additive to potting soil for my plants, too, so it's not just for 'tufa. If I can find Zonolite it may not solve the latter problem, since apparently it's treated to be water-resistant... but it would be a start!

Tango -- seems like 16 years would be long enough for the scare to die down. It made me wonder if a new one had surfaced. The EPA doesn't seem to think there's a problem, though.

Rhonda -- I've tried all of the construction supply companies in my area that I know about. Guess it's time to dig out the yellow pages.

You can find vermiculite at Homeharvest (www.homeharvest.com). Vermiculite is more closely related to mica than asbestos. I am using vermiculite to get a more
realistic stone look. Hope this helps.

C

Ruth,
I have purchased small bags of vermiculite at FredMeyer, under the Whitney Farms brand. It varies tremendously in size.
I have also purchased smaller bags, which can help complete a couple of good size projects, of Horticulutural vermiculite at both of the DO IT Centers near where I live, the name brand is HOFFMAN and is 8 dry quarts. Horticultural vermiculite is very small and will make your piece very compact/heavy, but allow you to carve. I like to mix the two for a more realistic sparkle.
A friend was able to buy a large bag of vermiculite (like zonolite) from her hardware store in Kitsap County. The particles are quite large.
Ruth, I like to have options when I am thinking of something to make, and having perlite, and various vermiculites, sand etc on hand is an inexpensive alternative to stopping what I am doing to go get the materials.
Dena

I have to ask a really dumb question. My husband is a house painter and he sometimes "popcorn's" the ceilings in the house before painting it. Can the texture that you mix in the paint be substituted for vermiculite?

ms,
I think it would be worth while mixing up a small batch, replacing the perlite with the popcorn and see what you think. I don't know that I have ever seen the stuff without paint on it. Is it hard like perlite, or can it be crushed between your fingers? If it is lighter in weight than perlite or vermiculite you may need to really mix the dry ingredients then add a bit of water at a time making sure to wet the popcorn, so it does not 'float' in the mix.
Good thinking about another source!!!
Dena

Dena - according to the garden center employee I spoke to at our local Fred Meyer, it was the Whitney Farms rep who told them about the asbestos, and that precipitated the decision to no longer carry vermiculite. The last bags I found locally were on clearance at a Fred Meyer in Hillsboro, so I'm thinking they had decided to stop carrying it too.

I checked with W.R Grace Company and there is nobody in the Portland area who carries any of their vermiculite products. They also confirmed that there have been no new asbestos scares.

I managed to snag a couple of bags from Lowe's last week when I drove my friend up to SeaTac to catch his flight to Denmark, so I'm okay for the moment. But it's still frustrating that it's so hard to find around here!

Make friends with your local nurseryman or greenhouse owner. They can get it for you as it comes in huge bags for commercial planting uses to get plants started, etc. A bag shouldn't be more than $15.00 at the most, and you may get it at their cost if you tell them what you need it for. Although, I haven't looked into it, I think it was this site mentioned it can be obtained at from swimming pool installation and maintenance folks. (Zonolite?). Buying in those little HD sized bags will bankrupt you :)