I've only recently discovered this plasterers' scrim, and love it! Up to now I've always used hessian scrim, which is getting harder to source. You're all probably familiar with this stuff, but I hadn't come across it before. It's made of fibre glass, is adhesive, and very strong.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:74211}}

I've started making the shape from peat moss in a plastic bag, with a basin sunk in for the hollow. I've covered it with the adhesive scrim, which has made life really easy! Next I'll put plaster all over it to get a nice smooth rocky shape.

The only plaster I can lay my hands on is the remains of an old bag. Hope it hasn't perished - it's a Holiday here today, for Hallowe'en, so no shops open. Will post more pics later on if the plaster turns out to be OK.

22in round x 9in high (56cm x 23cm)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:74212}}

Running Dog

Thank you for posting the pictures of the basin shaped stone and how you are preparing to duplicate it. This is something I will definitely try. It would look great in the garden and double as a very nice bird bath for all my feathered friends.

Nancy

Birds are as important as plants in my garden. ~Anne Scott-James

Running Dog -- Why are you using plaster. Is it Plaster of Paris (POP)? Will it stand up to the elements?

And why the bags filled with peat? Could something else be used instead? Or will the peat bags be removed and are essentially space holders. If not, how will you finish the bottom? Just wondering. I like your idea.

Fleur - yeah, it's Plaster of Paris (we call it Fine Casting Plaster). I'm putting plaster/scrim over the bag of peat moss to make the initial shape. When the shape is finished I'll take a mould from it, silicone inner skin with a plaster (POP and scrim) supporting case. Once I've taken the mould I'll break up the original, and re-use the peat.

Then I'll be able to cast as many as I want.

That bag-of-peat idea sounds great. It should give a nice natural rock shape. I have to try that soon. Thanks!
Laura

I made a round bird bath a couple of years ago by using the bottom 1/3 of a plastic 55gal. barrel.
I've included my Webshots of me making it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bird Bath

Great pics! I'm surprised that the brass brush wore away, though - I'd have thought that the 'tufa would still be pretty soft after only 24 hours.

Happy, thank you for the photos but I don't understand exactly how you made the birdbath. Did you fill the inside to a couple of inches so the birds don't drown/ lol. Also what are the peanuts for??/

I filled the bottom a little, then put in chicken wire and filled up the chicken wire with peanuts and folded the wire over the peanuts. This helped make it lighter.
I then poured over the top of the chicken wire and let that firm up for a little bit.

I then took a strip of the plastic barrel and cut it to make an inside wall to pour my mix around to allow for where the water would go.

When it was set up enough, I pulled the inside strip up and that left the hole for the water.

Here is a link that might be useful: See this pic.

Are you going to take pictures of the whole process, sort of a tutorial? I think that would be great. At first I didn't realize you were making a mold for a future round trough.

Lovely. I worked so hard this summer to get (close to) geometric perfection in the bowls I make. And then found I like them on the rustic side.
The round rock troughs are going to be just right.
Mercedes

Fleur - yup, I'll take pics as I make the mould. Haven't quite decided how I'll do the mould yet, the case mould will need to be in two parts.