oh oh... I forgot about drying issues.... ugh

I brushed it down with water and wrapped it in plastic wrap

You did a great job though, looks bigger than a bowling ball.
Bianchi

Interesting......

Looks better than a bowling ball! It's fun to see this from the start...looking forward to seeing the next step!

How cool. Can't wait to see it all done.

Cool,why don't you hold classes next year???Well I mean this year !!!

one snag... I stuuuupidly started this outside thinking how nice it was. temp difference changed the ball size ever so slightly and it expanded again upon return indoors. I had to keep watch and rubb the cracks closed with my finger nail as they cropped up... yikes

I'm thinking I'm past the danger now and I won't be taking this outside again in the process! whew

You sure are ambitious !! It's looking great !

LOL
Love the ball! What I laughed at was, the sidebar ad next to your pic was a very pregnant woman holding her bare belly. Lined up with and looked just like your ball! Wonder if hers has a little princess inside also!

Oh my! Quite a nice orb, and I know when you finish it, it'll be another spectacular piece of art. I'm gonna try that sometimes this summer, if I can't find those light fixtures KLINGER uses. I know creating something like this from scratch is very satisfying, but I'm getting lazy. You're doing so well on this. Did I miss the finish of the mushroom mosaicing, or did the weather prevent you from finishing it?

weather is totally preventing further work on the mushroom since it's to heavy to come indoors (heck I had to set it in the garden with a front end loader!) Days like today make it tempting but then I think about the night temps and decide it will have to wait...

Does anyone else think the prego chic in the ads look like Clare Dane? its uncanny!

GREAT sphere!

I would recommend drilling a small hole through the conrete (after it's set) and into the ball so that at least the ball deflates and won't expand you great work.

I used one of the BIG balls from Wally-World and put the self adhesive drywall tape on it, then added a layer of concrete (Quickcrete grout IF memory serves) and then a layer of stucco. But I left an opening to deflate the ball and remove.

Can't wait to see what you do to it!!!!!

That looks great .I want to try one too .Do you think if you put some glue in the mix will it grab on to the ball better .I do thi with my cross .

Interesting. I will enjoy watching this progress. I think I am with Slow. I am too lazy to go to the trouble. I bet you will make it just beautiful.

Chris

NT to DD.. "Huh? What ball? Oh, THAT ball. Well,see, there was this fairy that came by and said they needed it in Fairy Land....."

LOL! no I didn't steal it from DD, but she was with me when I bought it at Walmart and was incredibly irritated that she wasn't allowed to even hold it (cause I knew it would lead to attachment issues) LOL

"BALL??? Child, there is no ball in that cart! Do you see a ball? I don't see a ball. Toothpaste? Yes. Cornflakes? Yes. Concrete form? Yes. But BALL? I don't think so."

RONNIE!!!! LOL

Welcome Loren, yeah I'm intrigue by those giant spheres but my problem would be that I would HAVE to mosiac it and that would be the longest project in the world! LOL post a pic of yours!

Nana, I had that same thought yesterday! just couldn't bring myself to use my weldbond... stuff is like liquid gold to me! LOL

Our gallery lady was using Alleen's Tacky Glue to adhere her tesserae to a piece of panelling. If it's just for instant adhesion, I'd think any white glue w/help, N.T. Or, maybe have your first layer of crete a little soupier.

I found the larger balls easier to work on!

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: My ALL of 2 Mosaics LOL

excellent works Loren! Did you make that cone? I have a traffic cone that I think could make a cool mold for ... something? LOL

Slow, if I had any aileens or other around I would have grabbed it, used it all on the last costumes I made. I do think it would have helped. As far as more water, I'd have been more concerned over slumping. I think it's more a matter of relearning how to trowel again, when I did the second app today I had it going on good.

I'm always surprised at how I expect crete to work like clay and instead its like wet sand. My desire to "spread" it has to be schelched beacuse as you all know, crete doesn't spread. All you really do is set it on and mash it until the cream rises and allows you to smooth it. Once you figure that out... it goes ok. lol

Thanks!! Yes ma'am, I did the traffic cone! Cut a hole in a piece of plywood to support the upside down cone, screws with washers will help keep the weight from pulling it down through the plywood. I hot glued a small diameter PVC pipe into a little plastic deli cup and set that in the bottom. Rebar in the ground and it can be used without the base. This one won't go outside because of the polymer clay.
{{!gwi}}

So this morning I brushed the ball with admix as I worked and I also brush the leading edge of new crete to "melt" down against the ball. As I just described, troweling ends up being an action of pressing and smoothing back against the fresh crete... small amounts at a time.

here it is getting it's second layer of crete and drywall tape.

{{gwi:130406}}

afterwards, I rewrap with plastic and keep the admix handy to brush on later to keep the moisture steady. Coke can for scale - I do think it's going to be larger than a bowling ball.

{{!gwi}}

and so answers the question... where do you work? on the dining room table OF COURSE SILLY!!!! LOL

Loren, thanks for the description. There's no reason why one of those couldn't be piped for a fountain! Just an under ground resevoir for catch basin and pump... make a bird bath top thingy... ARGH!!!! I DON'T NEED ANYMORE IDEAS!!!!

LOL No more ideas eh???

I guess then I shouldn't tell you that the orbs would also make a cool water feature?? LOL

You're orb is coming along great!!

You're such a pro - don't know why you don't start classes. You are so danged talented, you should share it. Oh, I admire you for being neat enough to work inside. You should see the table/floor of my workshop. I think my yard floor is cleaner.

Geez, that's a BIG coke can. I was thinking this thing was like beachball size for some reason.
Looking good NT!!

I'd go broke trying to glass something that size!

Wow, cool NT I'll be refering back to this when the warmer weather comes.

Maria

WOW, thats a pretty good size and a lot of work. The whole cement things scares me. But I am learning as I watch your ball grow. Great job so far.
Bianchi