Step 9: Additional idea #4...
Special thanks to Design Sponge and Design Gal for the idea of using a glass fixture. My wheels began to turn!
http://saltlakedesignergal.blogspot.com/2009/07/concrete-garden-balls.html
A very large glass lighting globe was using to make this 30+ pound concrete sphere.
Please note, the glass was removed entirely, I just wanted to share a photo showing both
the concrete and the glass, which if you look carefully, you can see it is thinner glass in
some areas of the globe. A fun project I enjoyed doing.
I simply filled a large glass globe with concrete, left it alone for a week, then submerged
it in water for another week. Wearing safety glasses, the lighting globe was then removed
by gently smacking it with a hammer. What am I going to do with it? I haven't yet though that
far, but for now, it simply remains in our garden walkway for amusement. It isn't likely someone
will run off with it very far. :-)
http://saltlakedesignergal.blogspot.com/2009/07/concrete-garden-balls.html
A very large glass lighting globe was using to make this 30+ pound concrete sphere.
Please note, the glass was removed entirely, I just wanted to share a photo showing both
the concrete and the glass, which if you look carefully, you can see it is thinner glass in
some areas of the globe. A fun project I enjoyed doing.
I simply filled a large glass globe with concrete, left it alone for a week, then submerged
it in water for another week. Wearing safety glasses, the lighting globe was then removed
by gently smacking it with a hammer. What am I going to do with it? I haven't yet though that
far, but for now, it simply remains in our garden walkway for amusement. It isn't likely someone
will run off with it very far. :-)
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That would be a great form, if it held up...for these concrete creations.
For water features with fittings, just pour the concrete around the fitting. It will likely stay. If it slips, you can caulk it after the fact. I thought of inserting a chain link that is stainless steel, or weather resistant...then you'd have a ball and chain, haha.
I am very intrigued how to stiffen the huge vinyl balls enough to keep them spherical for concrete casting.
Ball and chain - what a fun idea! So glad you shared, thanks!
-wrap a large inflatable ball with chicken wire- leaving an uncovered area as the opening at the top.
-pack on wet sand mix concrete all around the OUTSIDE- except where you designate the opening to be.
- When it is cured, the ball is deflated and removed-
You now have a hollow concrete ball that can be used as a planter, or a pond/fountain. I would suggest if you use it as a planter, to maybe fill it most of the way with packing peanuts or old plastic water bottles,then insert a plant pot, or a layer of weedcloth, covered by soil. You can also poke a drain hole in the side of the ball so it doesn't fill with water.
gezz--instructable people have some great ideas
A mosaicist? Great, we're going to get along just fine!
I actually thought about applying mosaics to the concrete ball, but then it seemed I might lose the effect of it weighing 30+ pounds. In other words, I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to pick it up, even if it were covered with mosaics, so the fact that it was made of concrete would be ignored.
However, I am in the process of making some of the chip and dip flower rings with mosaic, and I can't wait to finish. Perhaps another tutorial?
Nice to meet another mosaic lover!
Karen
Our ponds are only about waist high, made by my husband out of sheet metal and such.
Actually, that was an Instructable that never happened, but hmm...you may have just given me an idea! Oh, honey.....
Thanks for your compliments! :-)
I too have done something like this befor but I used a cheap rubber/plastic ball from a toy store. cut a hole in the top where the factory seals it, the ball stays ridgid and the surface is perfectly smooooooth. To remove use razor knife.
Be Happy
Are you referring to a standard kid's ball? Do you mean that you cut the top, then fill it with concrete? What helps it to stay round instead of being lopsided? Do you use sand as a bed for the ball as you fill it?
Neat idea!
I think just by filling it up it keeps round. I did mine on gravel so it did not flop over but it worked well. Also the one I used was a "heavier than normal" rubber ball. I cut out a 4" dia hole through the valve and a card board funnel.... hey! I think I have an instructable to do this weekend!
"Flop over", ha ha! That is exactly what I was thinking!
Great work! As for the lighting globe, the next time you make a concrete ball, insert the appropriate diameter rod through the concrete while wet. The idea is to use different concrete pieces when assembled, you can add a small pump and make a water fountain for the water to go up through the ball, down the sides and into another concrete dish.
I've added small pebbles to cover the wire for the pump and any hosing I have to use.
Just a thought as to what the glass globe could be used for in the future.
With a long masonry bit, it's possible to drill a hole in the current project. I've had success drill various rocks in my area. Some are too tough to drill through. Some shatter. Many turn out just right!
I love the idea of making a fountain, and hope to have time to make one soon. You are right about the globe and the rod.
Thanks for the compliments!
Karen
Hope you are able to make your countertop, that would really be neat!
Curt
Thank you, Affyx!