That is really cool. Is it coloured with dye, or just from the sand?

Hi shrubs - it's actually carved from sandstone. Looks like the front, visible surface was carefully carved, but the sides/top/bottom were not going to be visible when set into a house-wall, so just roughly chiselled.

Ah, I should read your post more carefully. I thought you'd made it!

this is a nice winter project. Nice for the summer too, but could be done in a smaller bin filled with damp sand making the mold in reverse. And would look a lot like the 'sandstone' in the picture.
If the bin of sand is initially placed ontop of a piece of plywood it can be lifted more easily and not disturb the curing project.
Occasionally I can mix everything in the garage and then bring that type of 'binned' project inside where the temp is a little more conducive to curing.
Happy casting,
Dena

It looks like an idea I've been toying with. To make small stool/plant stands for the patio by casting them in concrete/tuffa, but to include a niche in two walls of the stand where a candle could be placed and lit to make the stool also function as a patio light. And then I was thinking about doing a simple mossaic on the outside and a mirror mossaic on the inside of the niche so that the candlelight really glows.

Fabulous idea for patio or home. I wonder about the dimensions. Is it possibly 6x6x10 inches or so? How much space would one want to have inside so that heat from the candle flame would not harm the roof? Or the bottom of the planter, for that matter?

Oh, I can see putting citronella candles in there to ward off our aggressive mosquitos. Hmmmm. Love the mirrored mosaic idea as well. Please post some of these when you finish.

In a previous conversation here about lanterns with candles. I have to comment that even a tea light with open windows (lanterns) and a vented roof puts out quite a bit of heat for hypertufa or concrete mix. Very pretty light, and only cautioning not to leave un attended, and please be careful in touching the holder when the candle is lit.
Happy casting in 2006,
Dena

Thank-you for your picture of the stone niche. I'd love to see your hypertufa version.
Happy New Year
daybee

This is the plaster version of one I made previously. {{gwi:75389}}

Over the Christmas I've had a candle lighting in it for quite a while, and didn't notice that it got hot. Must do a bit of experimenting now. The cavity is 6 inches tall by 4 inches wide.

The version that I've made of the niche illustrated in the first post has a cavity 4 inches tall by 5 inches wide.

Oh!...Thanks for sharing...Image with candle holders really looking very nice. Candle holders are very useful for creating special atmosphere and can ideally be used to illuminate tables, hallways or rooms.

Here is a link that might be useful: candle holders