Wowzer! What a great (and very professional) looking planter. Keep on thinking big.

Wonderful big planter! I love the color variation that you ended up with. I don't know who it was that suggested the slurry and drywall tape thing to me (Peak, maybe?) or if I read about it but it worked for me when I was making a large vase out of a wicker one I found at the thrift store. The load got a little heavy on the horizontal places for a wicker armature (duh) and I got hairline cracks and the slurry and drywall tape worked beautifully. Next time I make one of those I'm going to reinforce the load-bearing areas with hardware cloth.

I also made a sphere a little at a time using leftovers with the slurry and (in this case) fabric method. Every time I added a layer I misted, added slurry, a layer of fabric and then a layer of tufa.

When I glue something green back together with slurry it feels a like I'm cheating fate but it always seems to hold. That's one of the reasons I love mud--it's forgiving even when I don't deserve it!

Deb

I've used strips of torn old bed sheets dipped in the slurry to patch. I think it holds better than the drywall tape. Maybe I bought the wrong kind of tape. It looks like plastic canvas and is about 2 inches wide.
I also use wider strips of the sheets to hold tufa in place to prevent slump. Of course, this only works if you're molding on the outside of a form. I take the strips off as soon as the tufa is set. Most times in two or three hours.

Hi, This not meant to incite or inflame anyone, it's just meant to be informative. Using drywall tape/mesh MAY work OK. I said may, because of concerns of the alkalinity resistance of the tape. Alkalinity is just as detrimental to things as acid can be.(thats why lime burns skin too) I've read and heard that anything used in concrete products need to be alkai resistant. This probably will be fine for home use, but if you are making things to sell it should be a consideration. You dont want your items failing.

Here are some links:

http://www.makersgallery.com/concrete/howto1.html

http://www.nexcelsynthetics.com/Concrete.htm

http://www.makersgallery.com/concrete/concrete_worknotes.pdf

Copy and paste these into your address bar. I've lost a link that has all the scientific basis of this, if I can find it I'll post it. But these will at least confirm I'm not treading on thin ice when I say this.

Thanks for that info, Rockhewer. I'll be sure to keep that in mind if I ever make anything to sell.

I still think Serene's planter is lovely, don't you?

Deb

Yes it is a very nice planter. I'm sorry, I didnt mean to take anything away from the great job she did on it. I just want things like this to last as long as possble. We make one of a kind creations and that alone makes them worthy to try to make them as best we can. Wonderful planter Serene.

I've never done it, but on flat surfaces why couldn't you patch with hardware cloth/wire mesh? Spread on some mix, press in the wire, add some more mix until all the wire is covered. Since the mesh is galvanized, there shouldn't be any conflict. Just make sure the mesh is large enough for the mix to be worked through it so the mix can "hold hands" through it to really grip.

Sue

Thanks for all the encouragement! It was a slightly frustrating project but fun none the less.

I'm wondering what hardware cloth/wire messh is?

ShirleyWNY5, the strips of fabric idea is helpful information. Thanks.

Rockhewer, thanks for the insight on the alkalidity issue. I want my pots/planters/projects to last a long time. Your info was very helpful.

Thanks,
Serene