How do you make the small pinch pots? What are you using for molds for them? Thanks

Hi Randy,

Believe it or not, I just use a Ziplock sandwich bag! Thats why they're all shaped a bit different, just molded by hand. I just put a blob of tufa in the bag and squish it around by hand until it's the shape I like.

Hey thanks I will try that this week end, those are really nice. Thank you for info.

Any time! They are fun little pots that you can stick anywhere!

That is such a great and simple idea to make pinch pots! Thanks for asking, Randy
And
Thanks for the article and sharing your secret too pinch pots, Chris

You're welcome Kin. I'm more than happy to share anything I can. It's a small exchange for everything I learn from all of you! I started making them to use up tufa that was left over from other projects. Seemed a shame to just throw it out.

I think I may just give it a try today. I have a lot of little chicks that need homes soon!

Fantastic - be sure to show us pictures!!

Well I busted the baggie on this first try think I need thicker bag, got any tips? and what recipe are you using? I need more materials for the weekend for some projects my sister wants a dish for some hens and chicks.Think she may be hooked.

Hi Randy,

I use 1 part Portland cement, 1-1/2 parts Perlite and 1-1/2 parts Peat. I use the Ziplock sandwich bags so I don't know if they're thicker than other ones or not. The amount of tufa I put in the bags is maybe about 3/4 full so I can fold the top of the baggie down toward the inside of the pot when firming up the sides. I'll make one this weekend and take some pictures to post.

Fun to get your sister hooked!! I'm working on my sister too, I've already succeeded with my Mom.

Wonderful Chris, I really love the pictures, it's easier for me to understand.

Finally have the pinch pot tutorial ready.

This is the bag I use for a "mold" - a Ziplock sandwich bag. I fold the top edge over just to give it a little more stability when I'm putting the tufa in.

Here is a picture trying to show the consistency of the tufa mix. It's not crumbly at all. You can see that its wet, but not so wet that water drips off. When squeezed it sticks together very easily.

The mix consists of 1 part Portland Cement, 1-1/2 parts Perlite, 1-1/2 parts Peat and just enough water to make solid lump when squeezed.

I put enough in the bag to make it about 3/4 full. A little less is fine but I wouldn't put much more than that in or you won't have room in the bag to put your hand to work with it.

Next hollow out the center by squeezing the tufa between your fingers and the edge of the baggie. As you're doing this make sure the thickness is about the same all the way around the edge. Also press some on the bottom. The sides and bottom should be 1/2" - 3/4" thick.

Since you want a rounded pot but the baggie has corners, make sure the corners of the plastic are not stuck inside the tufa - keep pulling the plastic out as you firm the tufa. If the plastic gets stuck inside the tufa, when you remove the plastic it will tear chunks of the pot off with it.

Also in this picture you can see how I fold the top of the bag to the inside. This way you can squeeze the tufa between 2 layers of plastic to keep the shape.

Keep squeezing and forming the pot until it reaches the desired shape. When you're done it should stick together solidly but not have any liquid standing in the bottom. It will be a tiny bit shiny from the liquid though. If it looks at all crumbly it isn't wet enough and won't stick together, so dump it back in the mixing container, add more water and start over.

You should now have your pinch pot formed. You want to try not to move it from here on in, or move it very carefully. Since this is not a solid mold if the sides flex when you try to move it, it will crack and when you remove the bag it will break.

Open the baggie and form a drainage hole in the bottom of the pot with a screwdriver. This is another step where you can tell if your mixture is the correct consistency. The hole you formed should remain open. If the mix slides back together where you made your hole, it's too wet. If it crumbles apart, it's too dry.

OK, the pinch pot is done. Fold the plastic back over the pot, gently place another lightweight piece of plastic (like a plastic grocery bag) over the top to keep the moisture in and let it sit (without moving) for 2 days to harden.

(Oops - I'll add the pictures of removing the baggie when I get to that stage.....my pinch pot is still in the 2-day waiting stage.)