Chris, I hate to be stooopid, but what is QuikWall? I have 2 concrete planters that I set potted plants in and last year it rained and froze in the same early autumn night. Both cracked. Is that something I could fix them with? Or, is there a way?

Hi Jamie! On the very first post of this thread is a link to Quikwall. Yes, you could patch your planters with Quikwall but the patches would show since the texture and color will be different. I know there are actual concrete patch mixes out there too but I don't know the names of any right off. I'm sure Lowes or Home Depot would carry them.

Chris-

On the E5, you shaped those cups with chicken wire?

Also, can you tell me the process you use to create your round objects? Like the balls- do you do one side, then the other? What do you put them on to dry/cure? And the post of the E5? I'm not wrapping my mind around how to do that.

But, I neeeeeeeeed to do it!

Hi Trish,

First the easy answer - the balls. I completely covered styrofoam balls with may 1/4" of Quikwall all at one time. While it was still wet, I took leaves (which I sprayed with PAM so they wouldn't stick to the Quikwall) and pressed them on the ball and left them there. Then I wrapped the entire ball in plastic wrap and layed it on a pile of sand to dry for a day. (Before I put it on the sand I pressed the plain ball into the sand to make a nice smooth indentation for it to dry on). After a day I pulled the leaves off, let it dry about a week, then painted them.

So, I guess it is thick enough that it doesn't drip or smush at the bottom?

I have a few pictures from the E5 process, but since I originally made it as a planter the pictures show a process that is a lot more difficult than it has to be. I made another one that was easier but didn't take pictures of that process, of course. But the pictures will help show what I'm talking about.

First, here is a picture of the chicken wire cup.


The cup is attached to a "post". Just ignore what this post is made of. What I did on the other one that worked great was I took a 2" dia. PVC pipe and wrapped 2 layers of chicken wire (or one layer of 1/4" hardware cloth as shown in this picture) around it as tightly as I could. Then attach the cup to the pipe by wiring the chicken wire on both pieces together. I left the post poke into the bottom of the cup for extra strength.


After the cup is formed, I wrapped it in self-adhesive drywall tape. That gave the Quikwall something to hold onto instead of just falling through the wire.


Then I added the Quickwall in 3 layers, allowing each layer to set up overnight. If you put it on too heavy it will just fall off. The cup has Quikwall on both the inside and outside.

After the posts were made, I made the bottom piece in a large tub (lined with a garbage bag so it doesn't stick to the tub) and stuck the posts into it while it was wet. The tricky part is holding the posts up while the bottom dried. I used a series of ropes duct-taped to the sides of the tub.

This is probably clear as mud, so please let me know if I should further explain something.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Back to the balls, yes it needs to be pretty thick. Kind of tooth-paste consistency.

Wear plastic gloves too!! i love to work in Concrete, But it has been awhile. Beautiful projects and pictures.

I've been playing with leaf castings. I also have been goofing off with mushrooms out of the left over concrete from the castings.

Thanks so much, Chris- I think you've helped me! I say "think" because sometimes it take a bit for my brain to absorb directions from words- I'm much more visual.

Don't hold your breath on my projects. I have about a zillion more ideas than I have hours to do them Like all of us crafty types, I suppose! So many projects, so little time!

I save ATP for last each morning because I am never disappointed!

THANKS Chris so much for the step by steps I too am visual learner, Trish. Now I am in love with this new craft, Quick Wall. I can't wait to buy some.

YES: Gordon...share share share!

Going to look at the boats right now.

Oh, Chris, could QW be formed around a Styrofoam cup or a plastic party cup?

Hi Charleen, good to see you and Charlie here!!

Trish, leaf castings are much harder than this. I'm a visual learner too. But sometimes it helps when you just make things up as you go....then nobody knows if you goofed up but you!

Becky, you can pretty much form QW around anything. On the styrofoam balls you really have to mush it into the styrofoam though to get it to stick initially. Since a styro and/or plastic cup are smooth, I would cover them with the self-adhesive drywall tape first. Otherwise the QW will probably slide right off.

I think even if I retired from work and played full time I'd never get all the projects done that I'd like to!

Is your friend that makes the PC jewelry Dessert Rubble? She's the person that got me started in PC!

YES!!!!!!
Isn't Lynn's work amazing??????

Me too!!! She is the Greatest polyclay enabler in the world, isn't she Chris???? Love Lynn. And Chris makes great bugs too. we all learn from each other....

Yes, Lynn does awesome work! I can pick her stuff out of any crowd. You're right Charleen, she enabled a lot of people.

Oh dear, another fabulous idea. I absolutely love the aqua totem pole. Chris, did you by any chance take step by step photos of that process? I'm a 1,2,3 kinda person, leaving the design process to you experts and I lovingly supply the labor.

Can I find QuikCrete at Home Depot?

And finally, I've been painting a few things for outside with acrylic paints. Please tell me what you use to seal them with and where to get it. I'm painting on wood and plastic and it seems now, styrofoam.

Becky, now to check out all of the threads in hopes of finding some 1,2,3 instructions

Becky, we must've cross posted before. Can't wait to see your boxes full of goodies! I'll post a few of my bugs in Charleen's Polymer thread if she doesn't mind. Otherwise you can see them by clicking here: http://cubits.org/GardenBuddie...

Debbie, I don't have step by step instructions on the totem, but Lynn asked me some questions before and here is what I told her: "I poked holes in the disks and balls before putting Quikwall on them, then made sure not to get any in the holes. After they cured I just put them on the rod. On the bottom I attached a big washer to the rod about 6" from the bottom. The balls/discs just sit on that - they aren't attached to the rod at all. To move it I just take the top ball off, move it and push it in the ground, then put the ball back on. That way you can even hammer it into the ground if you need to without damaging anything. They would definitely hold up in your weather, but if you paint them you'd need to seal them."

The sealer I use is Behr Wetlook Sealer. It's a concrete sealer that you put on with a brush. Quikcrete and Behr sealer are both sold at Home Depot. I wouldn't use it on wood or plastic though.

I found a picture of the other E5 I made....but this one is only an E3. The bowls are more like wine glasses. This one has the PVC poles for stems.

WOW! So cool! Are they bird feeders?

This was an order for someone and I'm not sure what they used it for. But bird feeders would be great!