Making A Concrete Gazing Ball For Mosaics - Mosaic Tutorial

[@entrophyentrophy9562]

Wow this is a new technique I haven’t seen before this. I’m going to try this! Thanks so much for the tutorial.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much, glad you enjoyed it and thankyou for watching. :)

[@btrflywmn]

Thank you! I have learned so much from watching your videos, you're the best!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much, appreciate that. :)

[@kazoomare]

Thanks so much for another great video. Looking forward to trying this one. I taught a Mosaic 101 class over the weekend and told my students to check out your informative and educational videos!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Aww Thankyou, very much appreciate that. :)

[@Ang85323]

❤ this is great

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thank very much Angel A. :)

[@sunshinejenny777]

Thank You! Fascinating. Wow. Lots of fun projects to do now. Perhaps, one use the flat bottom to be able for it to sit well on a paver? USA 20 mm is about 13/16 of an inch, 35 mm is about 1.4 inches.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou, my pleasure. 😊

[@wandaburns8075]

You could use a wooden dowel to poke the cement down. I think that type of tape is called strapping tape.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou yes a good idea with the dowel. I have ever known it called bi directional tape but in saying that it may have several names. Thanks for watching. :)

[@gerardvanommenkloeke9464]

I’m going to try a slush mould with a ball that has a plug (gym ball) so that I can add fine sand/cement then re-pressurise and replace the plug then roll the ball to coat the inside. Repeat and add a few layers until it’s thick enough. Add finely cut chop strand or similar for a third pour to reinforce. Result should be a light weight cement ball.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Sounds like a plan, please let me know how you go, hopefully it will be a success. :)

[@gerardvanommenkloeke9464]

@@TreasuryRoad I found ‘bobo’ balloons which apart from having the advantage of being transparent, are very strong and inflate as spheres. I’ll do a test hopefully this week.

[@TreasuryRoad]

@@gerardvanommenkloeke9464 That sounds exciting please keep me informed on how you go. :)

[@biancavdzz]

@@gerardvanommenkloeke9464 en? And?😉

[@marttyd]

What’s the bottom look like? Is it rounded? I would have liked to have seen bottom.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Its round but you can make the bottom flat by just creating a flat bottom in the sand, personal preference. :)

[@marttyd]

I wanted it round , I just thought I wouldn’t need to worry about top I could flatten the top for what I want to use it for. As long as I have one side or 90% of it round. I have spent the evening watching several methods of this and I like yours the best it is very understandable. I subscribed for that reason. I didn’t expect the quick reply ( if any ) . Thank you.

[@mozhdehnouripayam9470]

Thanks you! Is the thinset polystyrene ball is as heavy as concrete ball?

[@TreasuryRoad]

My pleasure. The solid concrete ball is a lot heavier compared to the polystyrene ball coated with thinset. :)

[@marleneabila9912]

I love your videos and learnt a lot from you! Thanks for sharing your knowledge ☺️. Would you seal it and add some mesh and thin set layers in order for it to stand temperature variations in winter (below 0) and snow?

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou very much. Personally I would be sealing it as concrete is porous and if moisture gets in then the droplets can expand around 8% causing fractures and failure of the mosaic. Some people dont seal when using thinset they just dampen the ball down a bit so as the moisture isn't sucked out of the thinset and then use grout and an additive. Its solid concrete so in my view it doesn't require mesh and thinset, I am not familiar with your area or the freeze thaw in your area so you may want to seek secondary advice from someone who is familiar with those conditions your piece will be in, I would be bringing the piece in during Winter. If you are in a freeze thaw area then you can use Pal Tiya instead of concrete as it is able to go below freezing. This is from the Pal Tiya website.(Passing the ASTM C666: at 300 x 'wet-freeze/thaw-cycles'!) from -4°F to +100°F. (-20°C to 37°C). :)

[@theewtgy]

Why use the funnel if you just pour it in and spill it at the end?

[@TreasuryRoad]

The funnel allowed me to get quite a bit into the ball especially starting it off, as the ball fills up then its a lot easier to pour the mixture into it.

[@contactrustling3884]

what is the ratio of sand to cement

[@TreasuryRoad]

I just buy the complete bagged product where I just add water. If you want to mix your on there are different ratios that people mix, just Google to see which one best suits your needs. :)

[@contactrustling3884]

@@TreasuryRoad thank you so much

[@TreasuryRoad]

@@contactrustling3884 My pleasure. :)