Who doesn't love a good mushroom ? Whether on a pizza, or hanging out in the garden with the gnomes. Here is the how to for these super nifty garden mushrooms! You can of course take this how to and tweak it, this is a pretty forgiving project. The measurements I've given are just a guideline and you can use whatever size pots, and saucers you want, given of course that they fit together! :)
For the small mushroom you will need-
- -Two small Terra-Cotta pots, one inch and a 1/2 pot ( pretty tiny) and one 3 inch pot, for the stem.
- -One 4 inch Terra Cotta saucer
For the medium mushroom you will need-
- -One 5 and 1/2 inch pot for the stem
- -Two saucers, one 7 and 1/2 inch and a 4 inch.
For the large mushroom you will need-
- -Two pots for the stem, one 5 and 1/2 inch pot and one 3 and 1/2 inch pot.
- -Two saucers for the top, one 10 inch, and one 5 and 1/2 inch.
Other materials needed:- -Flat marbles in color of your choice (they usually come in mesh bags, found at any craft store)
- -You can use polished pebbles (also in mesh bags at the craft store), or more flat marbles to cover the mushroom cap surface.
- -Acrylic paint in shades of tan or creme
- -Paint brush and sponge
- -Ceramic Tile Adhesive and Caulk in white
- -Clear Acrylic Gloss (or matte), water-resistant spray coat.
- -Grout is optional, I didn't use it but if you prefer that look go ahead and use it.
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Assembly-
Here is where the fun begins! Like I said this project is very forgiving so don't be afraid to use different sized pots than the ones I used, and different colored marbles or stones.
Step 1.) For the two larger mushrooms that have two saucers put together for the top. Flip the smaller saucer over so that the bottom is facing up and stack that on top of the larger saucer, which should also have the bottom facing up..they should resemble a mushroom cap when placed together. Then use the Ceramic Tile Adhesive to affix the smaller saucer on top of the larger saucer, let these dry for 24 hours.
Step 2.) For the small mushroom and the large one that have more than one pot stacked together for the stem, do the same thing as in step one. Using the tile adhesive, glue the smaller pot on top of the larger pot (just like you were stacking them ) and let dry for 24 hours.
Step 3.) After base pots dry for 24hrs, paint the mushroom "stems", with acrylic paint. I used a tan base coat, let that dry then applied a lighter creme or tan color, and using a dry sponge dragged it down the sides for a layered effect, it makes it look more like a real mushroom stem. Let paint dry.
Step 4.) After paint is fully dry, using tile adhesive affix the mushroom tops to their bases with a liberal amount of adhesive, let dry 24hrs again.
Step 5.) Now using the tile adhesive again, or a heavy duty glue, begin applying the flat marbles on to the top of the "mushroom caps", and down the sides, in whatever pattern or colors you wish. When you begin affixing the marbles and pebbles to the sides of the saucers, they might slide a little so sometimes you have to hold each marble or pebble in place for a few seconds until it sticks by itself. Let dry for 24 hrs again.
Step 6.) If you plan on putting your mushrooms outside spray them using a water resistant clear gloss, or matte spray.
It is a fair bit of work but when you are done you'll have a lovely set of mushrooms for your garden or home!
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