My Recent Hypertufa Projects

I've been practicing different recipes, forms and color additives and trying to get the technique down.  It is harder than I thought it would be - but I am really enjoying it!

I tried some smaller ones and added some different textures.

I used a wire brush on this one.

Tried to give a "broken pottery" type look.

Tried to make this one look more like stone - more rustic.

This is the very first one I made - now dry and ready to use.

I tried carving on this one.  I don't know if I like it or not.

I wanted a look of stone.

My first square one.  I added the cracks.

I think this is my favorite so far.  I really like the antiquity look.

Maybe more garbage than antiquity.  But we are the dreamers of dreams...

Get your hands dirty!

Hypertufa - Part Two

My second attempt worked out sooo much better than the first.  It came right off the mold and didn't stick to anything!  I took it off after 24 hours and roughed up the edges a little, and ran a wire brush over it.  Much easier.  Using plastic bags around the form and underneath - perfect.

A few more details - try to make it look as much like stone as possible.  Now, just wait a month for it to set.

You have got to try this...

Get your hands dirty!

My First Hypertufa Project

Well, I finally got my first hypertufa project going.  After following a few misleading guides online and making a few of my own mistakes here is the first project I tried:

The biggest mistake I made was not using enough, or the correct, release agent.  When I went to take my new creations out of their molds my square one was a block of wood and hypertufa that would not come apart.  I took the mold apart and tried to salvage what I could, but the inside of the mold would not come out.  My round one (pictured) worked a bit better.  I used a margarine container for the inside of the mold and covered it with tufa.  The only problem I had with this one was the board I set it on - it did not want to come off.  After negotiating with a screwdriver and chisel (and a few threats that I was going to use a hammer) it eventually gave way.  I used a wire brush and a file to clean up the edges that the screwdriver messed up a little - and I think it will work fine as a new home for some of my semps.

Thanks again to Tufa Girl for the help in getting started and in clearing up some of the misconceptions I got from other websites.

Stay tuned for Hypertufa - The Next Chapter coming soon!

Get your hands dirty!

Learning Hypertufa

I made my first attempt at Hypertufa this last Sunday.  I built a custom form for one project and used a margarine container to do a simple bowl form for the other.

I think I made a mistake by not using enough release agent on either of the forms.  I am waiting for them to cure right now.  I check them daily - I'm not the most patient person. 

As soon as they are ready to take off the forms I will take some photos - success or failure - to share with you here.  Check back soon - the suspense is killing me!!!



P.S.  Thanks to Tufa Girl for helping me along the way.  Check out her site: Tufa Things for some great inspiration!

Tufa Tutors

As I have been learning Hypertufa there have been some blogs and websites that have been very valueable and helpful along the way. I will try to make it easier for you - here is a list of sites that will really give you a head start:

• Tufa Things - Tufa Girl is one of my favorite online bloggers - she has some great blogs with inspirational pictures, and tons of experience with Hypertufa. Make sure while you are there you check out her other blogs before you leave! (and say hi from me!)
• The Artistic Garden - Some great "How To" information - a whole list of steps and procedures. Very helpful.
• Fine Gardening - A nice article detailing how to make a trough.
• Timpy Works - A great site that gives some very good basic guidelines and some recipes. They also offer E-Books to take you to the next level of HyperTufa. (I have not purchased any - yet - if you do, drop me a line to let me know what you think!)
• About.com - Some great "How-To" - a nice section on ornaments that takes you beyond the "trough".
• Hypertufa Gardening Projects - Some videos showing how to make a water feature with Hypertufa.

Well, there are a few sites that should help you (and me) to get going on Hypertufa. After you make your first project send me an e-mail with a photo - I would love to see how they turn out! I will also be posting my photos as I complete my projects - so check back for more!

Get your hands dirty!

You Say Houseleek, I Say Sempervivum...

Let's call the whole thing Hens and Chicks!

Sempervivum (translated Live Forever) is a remarkable little succulent plant.  There are literally hundreds of cultivars due to it's ease of seeding and the way it cross pollinates with others of it's own specie.

It is often referred to as Hens and Chicks because of the way it usually has one center Hen surrounded by many smaller Chicks.  But don't be mislead ~ this is one tough little mother!  It can survive cold, hot, wind, dry... almost any miserable condition.  The one thing it does not like is to be soggy. 

Hypertufa

 Hyper-What?  HyperTufa!!  (Pronounced  hi-per-two-fuh)

What is Hypertufa?  It's an artificial stone made of various materials - usually a mixture containing one or more of Portland Cement, Perlite, Vermiculite and Peat Moss.  Hypertufa was invented to take the place of Tufa which was used to make garden planters, troughs, garden art, etc...  It has the appearance of stone, without the weight. 

It is great for making garden planters that will last for a

long, lo-ong, lo-o-ong time!