A Simple pot using 1/2″ by 1/2″ hardware cloth, using tin snips I cut in 3 places and fold over creating an Armature

I prefer to cut the Tulle into several pieces and then glue on the outer side of the Armature

l  Using Quickrete Expanding Portland Cement sets in about 10 minutes hardens overnite  Mix it well 3 minutes of stirring Since I am covering a sphere shaped armiture I mix it wet and pour over

Inside is now ready for a layer of cement

To finish off I use a flexible tile grout over the layer on the outside of the pot. This grout can added in layers and hardens in 12 hours

I had some neglected Zelkovas I arranged them on 1/2″ by 1/2″ hardware cloth.

 Cut the hardware cloth to shape and created an Armiture

 Created this slab, did a few layers of Flexible tile grout on the edges drilled holes, airbrushed some semi-transparent stain and done takes about 4 to 5 days to construct waiting for things to dry and harden off.

So some new ideas that I have just done this winter

I wanted to make an accurate pot for a literati Mt Hemlock I have so I came up with an experiment.

I grabbed some aluminum wire went to my tree ( in a nursery pot) formed a rough circle with the wire around the tree. This gave me the general size of the pot I need.

I took some stainless steel wire measured the width of my new pot I also added the depth I wanted to the length of wire, double the length and folded it over. I then added it into a drill grabbed the other end with pliers and with the drill got a nice twist of the wire.

After making several of these wires I attached them to the frame

A little patchwork but I got to use up all my scraps of hardware cloth and now it’s time to glue on the tulle and add the the cement.

Having finished the one above I made several more slabs as seen below

Creating Textures

To create different textures like natural rock  depends on the the type of rock you would like to duplicate.

Decide the rock type you wish to duplicate; mainly Sedimentary, Igneous and Metamorphic.

Sedimentary types are limestone, shale, sandstone etc.

Igneous types; basalts, granites etc these two types can be broken into their crystal size and if they were cooled slowly or quickly

Metamorphic marbles, slates gneiss etc.

Some sedimentary rocks are in layers like shales and sandstones to duplicate these I use the fine tile grouts and place thin layers. Wait till it dries and add another layer so on and so on. Look for the different natural colors. Sandstones have a gritty texture I add some coarse sand blasting grit to the grout mix different types of grits and colours are available. As they grout dries you can create layered textures with a sharp point nail just dig in the edges to separate.

Basalts or lavas I use a wet grout mix that flows and drips giving the lava flow effect if you.

I use different grout consistencies to help create different textures and different grouts depending on the sand content of each product. Using the Target grout I am able to use it runny or thick runny gives a smooth texture while thick gives a blocky rough texture. When you apply a second coat of grout the first coat has a tendency to suck up the moisture as you apply and stops it from running.

Experiment with different mixes, amounts of water, product and adding adjuncts.