I loved this idea - and excitedly ordered some Sculptamold!
...And then realized I have no idea how to find Sir B's description of
how to make fake rocks ;)!
Could anyone steer me in the right direction and save me from creating
great lumps of stuff which I would have to defend/explain to my family?

Impulsively yours,
Ruby Tuesday





-----Original Message-----
From: marthabeau@aol.com [mailto:marthabeau@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2004 10:13 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Fake Rocks

I am finally going to try to make some fake rocks, as described by Sir B

about a year ago. For those of you who are interested, joann.com has
Amaco
Sculptamold on sale for $4.19 for a 3-pound bag. If you mention
promotional code
MAYFSH4, you will get free shipping on your order, but only until
tomorrow!

Happy Trails,
Mookie Fish

Here's the old email I saved from Sir B & others:

I use Amaco Sculptamold Modeling Compound at about two parts to one of
water. Three pounds of it is about $5 + tax. It sets up in about 30 minutes and is
very nicely hard after a day. I am now mixing in tan, black, and silver paint
with the wet material before I mold it (then add more Sculptamold if the
mixture is too wet.) That way if the "rock" gets beaten up, it will still be
naturally colored throughout. I like it to band a little and am hoping to get better
at making it do so. I put in some glittery silver paint to get the effect of
flecks of mica in it. I mold this around tupper-like containers or film
cannisters with the lid side down. I make sure the lid still will seat around the
sealing surface. If it does not, the set material is pretty easily pared away
with a knife.

I spray each rock with matte finish plastic sealer, top and bottom. I try to
get at least two coats on. They are fairly lightweight. You could put large
iron washers in for extra weight if you thought that a problem. I try to place
these in fairly sheltered locations. My other fake rocks are real rocks that I
have hollowed out by drill. I am sure you can find some other materials to
play with. I have done oven hardening clay with some success but it is a tad
pricey.

Check the clue for my Stone Soup box.

Oven-hardening clay is ok but I have sprayed it with a spackled rock paint
(craft stores have lots of these kinds) and again, folks look right past them.
You can also hollow out rocks if you buy travertine and use a concrete bit.
Make sure you use respiratory and eye protection while doing this. Gloves are
also a good thought.

Sir B

Thank you, Marthabeau!
You may have saved me from humiliating myself!
Ruby Tuesday

Instead of re-typing everything that's there, Sir B. started a long
discussion on the forum at the WoL website. If you care to take a
look it is available at:

http://www.lbworld.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=20

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