Hibiscus Flower Birdbath
Inspired by the beautiful Hawaiian Hibiscus flower, our Creative Director Kim Beaton decided to make a top for a birdbath using 9lbs Pal Tiya Premium.
Dimensions on this one: 38 cm/15 inches in diameter.
Dimensions on this one: 38 cm/15 inches in diameter.
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A 3/16 inch (5 mm) layer of the red Pal Tiya Premium was applied over the top of the foil and roughly sculpted. Small daubs of the yellow were smeared into the center and blended outward to make a nice pattern.The Hibiscus flower birdbath was built easily over the lid of a 5 gallon bucket. She used foil/hot glue to shape the 5 petals accurately over this support.
A big batch of Pal Tiya Premium was tinted with a bright red oxide (5% by weight). A slightly smaller batch was tinted with yellow oxide (also 5%) for added color. |
The flower texture was blended and smoothed then wrapped in plastic overnight to strengthen/cure.
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The following day, the flower was flipped upside down and the foil cleaned away. Foil was used to create the flower's deeper throat and this was coated with a 3/16 inch (5mm) of more yellow tinted Pal Tiya Premium. The sculpture was wrapped again overnight.
The next day, a big batch of red tinted PTP was mixed and applied to the bottom and textured to a finish. The sculpture was then flipped over and more red and yellow tinted PTP are used to finish off the striated colors inside of the throat. A small indentation was made deep in the center for a stamen to be placed later. Separately, a small bit of the remaining PTP was used to make this stamen. All the parts of the sculpture are wrapped again overnight. |
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On the next morning, metal files are used to tidy and sand any edges clean. The unwanted exposed fibers were quickly burned off with a propane torch. (In a well ventilated space using appropriate mask/breathing apparatus)
To create the strongest possible birdbath, wet towels were added over the sculpture pieces. These are wrapped once more in plastic and should be left sealed for a minimum of 5 days, though this flower was left for 14 days for greater strength. |
