More inspirations to keep our minds working...thanks Cindy!

Lee

Klinger...You ROCK!!! nuff said?!!!

Wow, I like the copper wash on the bird-bath! Was the bath hard to do?

Stu

Very nice work! I would like to know if you've been happy with the History Stones molds? Also, what product did you use for painting and did you seal the bb's?

The bird baths were easy to do, just used a basic tufa mix and poured and demolded. I have been happy with all the history stones molds except for the bench leg, was really hard to unmold. Other wise they are dureable enough to make lots of castings from . I use patio paint on any out door projects, I didnt seal the ee bird bath. Did use a sealer on the copper finish one. Cindy

Very nice finish on the bird bath. Nice EE castings. I soon will be trying to design a fountain using leaf castings. On hold now as I hurt my back about 4 weeks ago. NO working in crete for awhile!!! ARGH!!
Joel

Joel, I hope you mend up real fast. Nothin' worse then a bad back! You can still make tufa jewelry...

Here is a link that might be useful: project for bad backs

Cindy, those are very nice projects. I love your painting
on the birdbath!!!
Regarding History Stone Molds........ I've just put in an
order for the bench set!!! Was really excited about getting
it. I'm not too thrilled to hear that there's a problem
with the leg..... (it's an expensive mold too!!!!)
Any suggestions, other than lots of lubricant? Were you able to reuse the mold? I'd like to make a few of these.

lisa

Lisa I have used the bench top mold likely about 6 times so far , it will be good for another 6 at least. As far as the lubricant I tried several different ones and none seemed to make a huge difference. I think what happens is the weight of the concrete mix causes the mold to slightly bulge. The last couple I did I wrapped some duck tape around the mold to help it hold it,s shape a bit better I think this helped. I think the next one I do I will try imbedding the mold in a mound of sand to give it a bit more support to help with bulging also. My best advise is use a hair dryer and warm the mold up a bit when you un mold. The last bench I did was with the Canadian History stones rep. She hadent used the leg one yet, she and I both struggled for about 45 minutes and got them un molded, just keep persevering. Cindy

Cindy, thanks so much for the advice! If bulging is
the problem, then casting it in sand is a good idea.
I'll definately cast it in my sandbox!
Thanks again for the advice!

lisa

bump

nice finish. how is it holding out?

Still looks as good as when I first did it. I will likely hose it off and reseal it this fall prior to the winter. Cindy

i just got my molds from history stones mold. i like them . if u put them in the sun for about 1 hour they well come apart real ez.

Hi Everyone!! Great job Klinger! That finish it to die for!!! Gotta try it..oh, gotta make some more birdbaths first!! For the history molds, any kind of mold really (even aluminum CMC molds) I've been using Ease Release 1700. Now, it might seem expensive but I've been using the same can for over a year. It doesn't leave a film so anything can be painted/stained right away. Cleans up easy. Also helps release those pesky furry leaves without messing up the finish. On the bench mold, I line the outside with bricks to keep it from bulging, it helps. On the leg I put it in the sun or heat it with a hair dryer then shake the heck out of it upside down! That is a bugger to get out though!! WHEW! Anyhoo, that's just what I do for that little problem.
Guess I'll back outside for a few. Got some marble dust in today so I'm 'sperimentin' !! :)
Cheers!
Kimberly

klinger, i am going to make this bird bath this week . would u tell me are they mortar them together for a one piece bird bath?

I didn't mortar them together to make it easier to move around. The top is heavy enough there isn't any challenges with it falling off. Cindy

I JUST MADE ONE TO klinger. I USED 1PART WHITE CEMENT AND PLAY SAND . I LOVE THE MOLDS?

Here is a link that might be useful: katyB2 pic.

Just curious, what would you put as the asking price for selling your birdbath and or bench?

I have generally done mosaic top benches. Sold several of them for 150.00- 250.00 depending on the complexity of the mosaics. The bird bath was a pretty simple pour job, and the paint finish easy also, probably sell for 75-100, depending on the circumstances.I think it really depends on the amount of work I put into them. Cindy

Good question, I recently donated 2 birdbaths to a fundraiser yard sale, although haven't learned what they sold for yet, I'll find out and post.

My DH just agreed to sell some to folks he teaches with for $30, we've made two and have one to go. The mold set costs $60 + shipping.... so I thought his price was too low, especially as I don't have one for my yard yet!

If you amortize the mold & shipping cost over 20 uses it comes to about $4 each time. It takes us about 1 hour and 15 minutes to prep, pour and clean-up. If you include us both in the labor cost at $15/hr, that's $37.50, + $4 for mold use, $6 for a bag of ready mix TOTAL COST = $47.50 just to make the darn thing.... sheesh!

My labor costs are too high, I'm going to have to lay my DH off!

Mabel

Thanks, I was thinking about $65 for the birdbath and $75 for the bench so glad for the input. I also was having a problem with putting the bench top on the legs. Some of them are a little wobbly. The last couple of leg castings I have used a 2x4 and a big clamp to hold the leg mold from bowing out, I think this has helped. I have mortared some of them together so the customer wouldn't have this problem, makes it very heavy but not a problem for 2 people. Has anyone else had this problem?

The leg mold for this bench is my least favorite of all molds I have ever used. Last year Teresa, the at the time ,Canadian History Stones rep. came over and we made her a bench. She brought her own leg and top mold as she thought the leg mold had been made a bit thicker than the one I had bought previously. We both struggled to unmold the darn things. We used a hair dryer to warm the molds up, a good releasant, and had reinforced the outside of the mold with tape to keep the bulging down. Still a big challenge. She ended up mortaring the legs to her top so it was sturdier. I think I will try imbedding the leg mold in a bed of sand next casting to see if that helps. I have been busy dealing with elderly parent challenges, but it appears my life should be closer to back to normal soon. That means playing in the mud, I can't wait to make some more projects.
Cindy

Klinger, Most paints and sealants are toxic in standing water, making the water unsafe for birds, bees and pets, which is a shame for gardeners thinking they are doing the birds a favor. Are your washes non-toxic?

I wouldn't consider a birdbath 'standing' water.
Mine get changed at least 3 time a week. I suspect the bird poop has far more toxins than the sealer.
Considering the chemicals people use on their gardens and trees, I suspect any toxins from a painted or sealed birdbath would be far far down the list of things dangerous to animals.
Bird and insects drink from puddles on the road surface in our desert like area. Now that is toxic water!