Making Mushrooms?

[Tina]

Does anyone have any experience fabricating mushrooms approximately 1-2 1/2' tall where the top will be done in mosaics?

I have been invited to collaborate with a prominent local artist to produce a vignette for a charity auction event this fall, and he has his heart set on these mushrooms.  We've discussed using birdbath bases as the stems, and I'll be experimenting this weekend using a cement mix and large planter as a mold, but I'm concerned about the weight of the top, especially once we add glass.  Don't know if we have to use chicken wire or not..............

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Tina

[Kev]

How about using the birdbath itself as a mold. Line it, pour in quickcrete, then slip it out and mosaic the rounded side.

[Kev]

I'm wonder too if you could use that spray foam insulation sprayed into a 5 Gal bucket to fill it. Once dry, carve into it to get the desired shape you want, then fill with concrete.

[PiscesGlass]

I would definitely use some sort of wire to reinforce it, otherwise it will break.  Another possibility for a mold might be to use a pile of sand, dig a hole in the middle of it (damp sand) and pour your concrete into the hole..you'd also want to figure out how big around your base is and put something in the middle of your poured concrete to make an opening for the base..but it might work.

De

[mmcoffey]

A friend of mine on Flickr does these kinds of mushrooms.  She makes them out of concrete and does a mosaic on top.  Look at her photostream and you will find where she has directions on how she makes them.  Her Flickr name is "Mushy Girl".  Real name is Susan...super sweet and if you have questions she'll be happy to answer.  She makes her mushrooms and sells them at local flower/plant shops.