Started Making Planters for the Wife

[hunterridgefarm]

Like I needed another project.

The condensed version of the story goes like this:

My wife wants to go to a greenhouse/garden business to buy a flower pot. I really like going to this place so I take her. She sees a small pot that looks like it was made from stone, price $35.00. I say "no, I can make one a lot cheaper, I remember see this type of planter 15 years ago".

Well this "one" planter has turned into 65 pots, troughs, and sculptures. I made one and decided I wanted to make 2. Since it was tough working outside on 95* days I thought this would give me something I could do in the cool basement. I kind of got addicted to it and before I knew it people were wanting to buy them. The greenhouse I saw the pot at bought 14 and I have several more garden centers that want to buy them this spring. All have said no one wants to make them because it takes a little labor. I don't like setting still so of a night when my wife watches TV I head to the basement to make these.

They are used as english gardens and orginated from tufa stone. The man-made name being hypertufa.

I attached a few pics to give you an idea. I don't have any pictures of the sculptures but will take some later. I am also turning some into fountains which I will post as soon as they are completed.

I am also doing my first craft type show October 9th. I may have a little sideline business going here...or alot of Christmas presents :laughing:

I have about 30 more that I don't have pictures of yet but will try to take.

If anyone wants to know more about them let me know.

Also if left in a cool shady place they grow moss really well and look better with age.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Those are cool! Does the stuff work like concrete with forms and stuff, or does it work more like clay? You obviously have some talent for it regardless of how it works.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

It is like a little of both. You have to pack it one hand full at a time. It cannot be poured like concrete. I form to the inside of forms for a smoother finish and to the outside of the form for a rougher/stone like look. I made a Easter Island Head last night. Not sure how it will turn out but will find out later tonight. It takes about 30 days for these things to cure. You have to cure them slow.

 

[smstonypoint]

Nice work!!:thumbsup: It looks like fun.

Do you mind sharing your hypertufa recipe?

 

[Cat_Driver]

What are those white specs?

 

[hr3]

"hunterridgefarm" My wife came by when I was reading this post and saw your pictures.. Now I have another project I didn't need..:laughing:.. They are cool though..

Hypertufa Recipe for the Beginner | Easy To Make 'Tufa Recipe

 

[hunterridgefarm]

smstonypoint, sent you a PM


Cat_Driver, The white specs is Perlite.

hr3, Congratulations on your new project:laughing:. The link you posted is not the same recipe I use but there are many different combinations. If you try it let me know how it turns out.

Later,
David

 

[jayste]

And to think I sometimes complain (to myself!) about honey-do's!? :laughing:

Nice job! I like the finish on them.:thumbsup:

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Thought I would add a few more pictures of the "Tuffa" things I made the last few weeks. I have the show this weekend so we will see if I sale anything.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Some of the hanging garden sculpture.