(Silicone Mold in the photo is the Art Rock 5 Stone Mold by Divine Specks)
If you can not find rocks in your area, you can make your own Art Stones at home. It's easy and inexpensive to do. You just need
Rapid Set Mortar Mix and a silicone mold to get started. You can also make interesting, shaped Art Stones like hearts, squares, stars, etc. to add a new dimension to your painting.
This process uses mortar which is a type of cement that is basically ground up rocks and sand. Mortar is made to build buildings, patios and BBQ pits so it is perfect for making Art Stones that will be placed outside as it is waterproof. Plaster of Paris and "Perfect Cast" are NOT waterproof, and they are not intended for outdoor use. Stones made with plaster/perfect cast will "melt" outside. Plaster is also much weaker than mortar so if dropped a plaster stone may chip or break very easily. Mortar Art Stones however will NOT melt and they are ultra strong when they are made properly.
The process is basically mixing up the mortar mix in a ziplock bag. Then pouring or spooning the mix into the molds. Let them set 2 hours and poof you have art stones!
Below is step by step instructions. At the bottom of the post is links to mortar and molds to help you get started.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE: Before you begin, 2 things you need to be careful of.
1. DO NOT POUR Mortar Mix or any water used to wash molds/tools down your drains. Mortar Mix will harden in your drain and ruin them. Dispose of all unused Mortar Mix in the garbage. Use a bucket of water to wash all molds and tools in and then discard the water outside.
2. Make sure you use disposable gloves. You can get a pack of 120 gloves at Walmart for a dollar. It will protect your hands from cracking and drying out.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
• Water
• Silicone Mold
• Newspaper
• Plastic disposable Gloves
• Plastic disposable Spoon
• Measuring Cup for Water
• Ziplock Bag
• Large Roasting Pan or Large Tray
• Large Mixing Bowl Or Disposable
Container
• Baby wipes OR Paper Towel
• Large Bucket (to wash molds in)
Most of the supplies I purchased at my local dollar store.
RECOMMENDED MORTAR MIX
Rapid Set Mortar
55 lb bag = 406 - 464 Small Art Stones
55 lb bag = 174 - 290 Medium Art Stones
55 lb bag = 116 or less Larger Art Stones
For more information on different types of mortar mixes you can click here
55 lb bag = 174 - 290 Medium Art Stones
55 lb bag = 116 or less Larger Art Stones
For more information on different types of mortar mixes you can click here
MORTAR MIX RECIPE
You can make up 1 cup of Mortar mix or up to 6 cups of Mortar mix to a gallon sized ziplock bag. Here is the recipe:1 level Cup of Mortar Mix (8 ounces)
3 ounces of COLD* water
So for every cup of mortar you use, add 3 ounces of cold water. You can make up 1 cup of Mortar mix or up to 6 cups of Mortar mix to a gallon sized ziplock bag.
* Using cold water allows for a longer work time to pour/spoon into molds. Using warm or hot water will cause the mortar to set way too soon. Like before you can even pour it!
1. Lay down newspaper or drop cloths to protect your work area.
2. Set up your mold(s) on a level flat surface. Make sure they are clean and free from dust/dirt.
1. Set your roasting pan or large tray on a flat level surface. We are going to use this as a protector when mixing up the Mortar just in case the ziplock bag leaks.
2. Place the gallon sized ziplock bag in the roasting pan / tray. Then pour the amount of Mortar Mix you are using into the ziplock bag.
3. Pour in the proper amount of COLD water into the ziplock bag. (3 ounces of cold water per cup of mortar)
4. Press out the air and seal the bag. Double check to make sure it's properly sealed or you will have a mess. (Good thing you have the roasting pan/tray to catch any messes)
5. Now begin to massage the ziplock bag to mix it up. Be sure to break up any clumps and lumps. Massage till it's completely mixed and free from clumps. The mix should be like the consistency of pudding. If it's too watery the stones will be weak and may break or chip easily. If it's too thick, the stones will be rough and have many holes (air holes) in them.
6. If the consistency isn't right, you can add a VERY small amount of water if it's too thick. Or a small amount of mortar if it's too thin.
7. Now it's time to pour! You have two options.
1.) You can simply snip the a corner of your ziplock baggy with scissors and then pour the mix from the baggie into your molds like a pastry bag. Or simply unzip the baggie and pour from the top of the baggie whatever is easier for you. Then simply toss the bag... no mess!
OR
2.) You can pour the mix into a mixing bowl or disposable container. Then pour or spoon from the bowl.
8. Now carefully pour the mortar into the molds. You can also use the plastic spoon to spoon the mortar mix into the molds too if they are small. I like to spoon the mix into smaller molds because it gives you more control and is less messy.
NOTE: If you are using Baking Molds examples like the hearts or disks, you can fill the mold to 1/2 inch. Mortar has to be about 1/2 inch thick to be strong. You don't have to fill the baking molds all the way to the top. About half way or a bit less is usually a good thickness. I measure a 1/2 thickness with a tape measure and then mark with a permanent maker on the outside of the cavities. This helps me to know where to fill to without over or under filling. If you are using Art Stones making molds then fill them to the top or a bit below the top.
9. Once all the mortar mix has been poured/spooned into the molds, check to see if the mix is level in each cavity. The mix is generally self leveling after poured but sometimes you may need to jiggle the mold a little to level them out or take the spoon and level them out.
After the mix has been poured and leveled it's time to tap the molds to help release air bubbles.
10. Tap with your finger each mold cavity on the side for 20-30 seconds. This help release air bubbles. Do this three or four times for each mold/cavity. If you don't do this step, you might end up with many holes (air bubbles) on the top of your art stones.
Now it's time to let them set and dry. Follow the drying times on the back of your mortar mix package. Every brand and type of mortar may be different.
For Rapid set mortar, I allow my Art Stones to dry in the mold for 1-2 hours or even overnight. Then remove them from the molds.
For regular mortar, I allow my Art Stones to dry 36-48 hours in the mold and then turn them out of the mold.
Make sure you check the back of your mortar mix bag to see the recommended dry time for that brand and type.
REMOVE AND LET DRY
After the mortar has completely set and hardened in the mold you can remove the stones from the molds (known as turning out).
FOR RAPID SET MORTAR: Allow the stones AT LEAST 3 days or more to thoroughly cure/dry before painting them when using the Rapid Set Mortar mix. The package says paintable after 16 hours but it's good to have them fully dry. I usually wait a full week to make sure they are completely dry. They will be stronger and less likely to break and chip when fully dried/cured.
OTHER MORTARS/CEMENTS: If you are using other mortar mixes allow the stones 7-14 days to dry/cure after removing them from the molds before painting.
You can paint and seal your homemade Art Stones just like a natural rock. If you are looking for a good sealant for your Art Stones check out the Sealant Post!
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE: Do not! Do not! Do not! Wash/rinse/dispose of any mortar mix down your drains! It will ruin your pipes! All unused mortar mix should be disposed of in the garbage. Wash the molds in a bucket of soapy water and throw the water outside when you are done. Do not pour the water down the drain!
Be sure to wear disposable gloves when working with the mortar. It will protect your skin from drying out and cracking. Clean up is pretty simple!
1. Dispose of your gloves, ziplock bag, and spoon into the garbage.
2. You can simply wipe out your mixing bowl with baby wipes or damp paper towel to clean up.
3. As soon as all your stones are turned out of the molds, you will want to wash the molds. Fill up a bucket with warm soapy water and soak the silicone molds in it for a few minutes. Wash them in the bucket using a disposable cloth, baby wipes or paper towels. Rinse thoroughly and make sure no mortar is left on the molds.
4. Let the molds air dry completely before storing or using again.
5. Baby wipes are a great tool in cleaning up! I use them to wash the molds and wipe out my mixing bowl. They are cheap and disposable.
6. Dispose of the water in the bucket outside and DO NOT pour down your drains!
You can get sanding block/sponge at the dollar store or in your local hardware store for a $1.00 - $5.00. Medium to Fine Grit works perfectly.
Or you can use a metal file. I like the metal file because it lasts longer and does a quicker job. They cost about $5-12 dollars. You can find them at Walmart or any hardware store.
* Using cold water allows for a longer work time to pour/spoon into molds. Using warm or hot water will cause the mortar to set way too soon. Like before you can even pour it!
PREPARE MOLDS
1. Lay down newspaper or drop cloths to protect your work area.
2. Set up your mold(s) on a level flat surface. Make sure they are clean and free from dust/dirt.
PREPARE THE MIX
1. Set your roasting pan or large tray on a flat level surface. We are going to use this as a protector when mixing up the Mortar just in case the ziplock bag leaks.2. Place the gallon sized ziplock bag in the roasting pan / tray. Then pour the amount of Mortar Mix you are using into the ziplock bag.
3. Pour in the proper amount of COLD water into the ziplock bag. (3 ounces of cold water per cup of mortar)
4. Press out the air and seal the bag. Double check to make sure it's properly sealed or you will have a mess. (Good thing you have the roasting pan/tray to catch any messes)
5. Now begin to massage the ziplock bag to mix it up. Be sure to break up any clumps and lumps. Massage till it's completely mixed and free from clumps. The mix should be like the consistency of pudding. If it's too watery the stones will be weak and may break or chip easily. If it's too thick, the stones will be rough and have many holes (air holes) in them.
6. If the consistency isn't right, you can add a VERY small amount of water if it's too thick. Or a small amount of mortar if it's too thin.
1.) You can simply snip the a corner of your ziplock baggy with scissors and then pour the mix from the baggie into your molds like a pastry bag. Or simply unzip the baggie and pour from the top of the baggie whatever is easier for you. Then simply toss the bag... no mess!
OR
2.) You can pour the mix into a mixing bowl or disposable container. Then pour or spoon from the bowl.
POUR INTO MOLDS
8. Now carefully pour the mortar into the molds. You can also use the plastic spoon to spoon the mortar mix into the molds too if they are small. I like to spoon the mix into smaller molds because it gives you more control and is less messy.
NOTE: If you are using Baking Molds examples like the hearts or disks, you can fill the mold to 1/2 inch. Mortar has to be about 1/2 inch thick to be strong. You don't have to fill the baking molds all the way to the top. About half way or a bit less is usually a good thickness. I measure a 1/2 thickness with a tape measure and then mark with a permanent maker on the outside of the cavities. This helps me to know where to fill to without over or under filling. If you are using Art Stones making molds then fill them to the top or a bit below the top.
LEVELING YOUR MOLDS
9. Once all the mortar mix has been poured/spooned into the molds, check to see if the mix is level in each cavity. The mix is generally self leveling after poured but sometimes you may need to jiggle the mold a little to level them out or take the spoon and level them out.
TAPPING OUT BUBBLES
After the mix has been poured and leveled it's time to tap the molds to help release air bubbles.
10. Tap with your finger each mold cavity on the side for 20-30 seconds. This help release air bubbles. Do this three or four times for each mold/cavity. If you don't do this step, you might end up with many holes (air bubbles) on the top of your art stones.
DRYING TIME:
Now it's time to let them set and dry. Follow the drying times on the back of your mortar mix package. Every brand and type of mortar may be different.
For Rapid set mortar, I allow my Art Stones to dry in the mold for 1-2 hours or even overnight. Then remove them from the molds.
For regular mortar, I allow my Art Stones to dry 36-48 hours in the mold and then turn them out of the mold.
Make sure you check the back of your mortar mix bag to see the recommended dry time for that brand and type.
REMOVE AND LET DRY
After the mortar has completely set and hardened in the mold you can remove the stones from the molds (known as turning out).
FOR RAPID SET MORTAR: Allow the stones AT LEAST 3 days or more to thoroughly cure/dry before painting them when using the Rapid Set Mortar mix. The package says paintable after 16 hours but it's good to have them fully dry. I usually wait a full week to make sure they are completely dry. They will be stronger and less likely to break and chip when fully dried/cured.
OTHER MORTARS/CEMENTS: If you are using other mortar mixes allow the stones 7-14 days to dry/cure after removing them from the molds before painting.
You can paint and seal your homemade Art Stones just like a natural rock. If you are looking for a good sealant for your Art Stones check out the Sealant Post!
CLEAN UP
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE: Do not! Do not! Do not! Wash/rinse/dispose of any mortar mix down your drains! It will ruin your pipes! All unused mortar mix should be disposed of in the garbage. Wash the molds in a bucket of soapy water and throw the water outside when you are done. Do not pour the water down the drain!
Be sure to wear disposable gloves when working with the mortar. It will protect your skin from drying out and cracking. Clean up is pretty simple!
1. Dispose of your gloves, ziplock bag, and spoon into the garbage.
2. You can simply wipe out your mixing bowl with baby wipes or damp paper towel to clean up.
3. As soon as all your stones are turned out of the molds, you will want to wash the molds. Fill up a bucket with warm soapy water and soak the silicone molds in it for a few minutes. Wash them in the bucket using a disposable cloth, baby wipes or paper towels. Rinse thoroughly and make sure no mortar is left on the molds.
4. Let the molds air dry completely before storing or using again.
5. Baby wipes are a great tool in cleaning up! I use them to wash the molds and wipe out my mixing bowl. They are cheap and disposable.
6. Dispose of the water in the bucket outside and DO NOT pour down your drains!
OPTIONAL STEPS
SANDING
After you turn out your stones you may find some raised edges or uneven bottom of your stones. If you want, you can use sandpaper to gently smooth out the edges and bottom of your stones.
SPACKLE
If you find a stone or two has a large hole that is obstructive to painting, you can use a little bit of spackle to fill it in. Just use a small amount to fill in the hole(s). Let it dry and lightly sand over the top to blend into the rest of the stone. Paint like normal.
You can find spackle at The Dollar Store or your local Walmart and Hardware stores.
SOME MOLD & SUPPLY RESOURCES
MOLDS FOR MAKING ART STONES
RAPID SET MORTAR MIX
For more information about Mortar Mixes click here
HAPPY ROCKING!
