Recently I did two concrete leaf classes for 40 kids. Parents were there to help. Some parents even wanted to make their own. I used a technique Billie taught me. Put the portland, sand and water in a ziploc frezer bag and zip it closed - mix and then I cut a hole in the corner of the bag and had them squezze it out of the hole onto the leaf. Like frosting, They used plastic knives and spoons to smooth. They did a great job. Not all of them kept the mix close to the edge of the leaf. But they all had fun. It does not have to be perfect - that is ok. I amnot sure how they turned out but they liked the activity. It is ok to have fun Mike

cedarstick, great job on your first leaves! susie also cedarstick if you go to the Hypertufa forum and do a search you will find lots of information on making concrete leaves,for some reason this forum is very quite at this time where it used to be very active-don't know what happened? but lots of good stuff still available by doing a search-don't use the hypertufa recipes, the concrete recipe I use(1 part cement, 3 parts sand)gives a much smoother leaf, I've been making leaves for 3 years. Enjoy it's Lots of Fun! Wendy ps: use gloves and mask for handling cement.

SJN.you are zone 10..just let me say this...I HATE you..LOL That being said, and out of the way..... Great idea. You probably couldn't do all of the holes, just the big ones, the little ones you would probably have to cover over before putting the concrete on. I think it would be beautiful. I tell you what, I'll come spend the winter with you and we can make one everyday.. I had just cleaned up my big sand pile, or I would have took a pic of it. I just dump the sand back in my bucket and keep it till the next year. I keep my pile ready all summer. I have down to a science. I can make one in 10 min. or less. Where are you in zone 10 ? Edna

I've been at work , so not able to respond to this thread. I've been doing concrete and mosaic projects for close to ten years now. The history stones birdbath mold is a well built sturdy one. It would be a good choice for a beginner. The basin however has got a raised ring of leaves going around the middle so it would be a challenge to mosaic. Something smoother would be better. If you look on ebay you'll find a lot of choices. Sand casting is a moldless fairly easy way to do what ever shape you like. By covering your sand cast shape with a thin layer of plastic you'll get a smoother form to mosaic onto.If you are gong to make these for your self then a thin set, or standard mortar mix will be a good way to go. If you were to sell these then you would want to make them as cost effectively as possible to recoup as large a profit as possible. I have several mosaic birdbaths I've made for myself. The amount of time involved making these will make it hard for this to be profitable. The cost of the cement if you made it by scratch would be maybe 5-10.00 per birdbath. the mortar and mosaic materials, grout and sealer will all vary depending on the mosaic choices you use. The time to do this is another thing though. I've sold lots of different creations but it just doesn't make sense for you to spend your time doing it unless you get a good return. If you can, make a couple for your self then monitor your costs and the number of hours spent. I would only make more on a consignment basis. I regularily have people wanting to buy my stuff but when I tell them what I would charge they back off. In regards to the Rianna method, this will give you the freedom of making any shape you like. Again though, it is not a fast way of making things and wether you'd make enough is doubtful. Rianna says she certainly isn't making tons, it's a labor of love sometimes. I'm making a 4 foot girl using this method. I'll use 4 rolls of mesh at 18.00 per roll by the time I am done. I just have the head and a hand left to do in the mesh and it's taken me maybe a dozen hours so it'll likely be 15 when I'm done. Then the cementing, mosaicing grouting and sealing. This project will cost me 100.00-125.00 I think by the time I'm done. Maybe 40 hours involved. I'll enjoy having my sculpture in my garden . I'm not trying to discourage you but the profit potential in this is not high. Make some gorgeous creations and just enjoy them for your own use is what I'd recommend. Cindy