IN THE BEGINNING, it was simply about trying something new. IN THE BEGINNING, the goal was to mix up some of this strange new stuff called hypertufa. Hypertufa, for anyone who is wondering, is a cement, peat, perlite mixture that can be molded, or carved into a variety of garden artifacts - including planters, troughs, and such.

That is where it all began - in the spring of 2003 - Easter Sunday, in fact. Where it has gone from there is a bird walk that boggles my mind sometimes.

Those small beginnings have quickly evolved into a rather significant inventory of cement cast leaves, which may be incorporated into fountains, ponds, bird baths, bird feeders, or simply enjoyed for their inherent beauty.

The leaves are cast in a mixture of Portland cement, sand, and an admix. Notice that there is no perlite or peat - they are NOT hypertufa leaves. Once they have set up, they are turned, the leaves are removed, and the wait for the completion of the primary curing begins. Finally, the painting - an exterior latex acrylic house paint may be slathered over both sides. Use of metallic craft paints designed for outdoor living brings out the final glory. A sealer is applied - once the paint has dried - and the art object is now ready for the great outdoors.

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in learning more about about the process, or if you are interested in acquiring something such as you see pictured here. The individual leaves are unique - truly one of a kind.

	The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises. Leo Buscaglia
	Let us not get so busy or live so fast that we can't listen to the music of the meadow or the symphony that glorifies the forest. Some things in the world are far more important than wealth; one of them is the ability to enjoy simple things. Dale Carnegie
	If a blade of grass can grow in a concrete walk and a fig tree in the side of a mountain cliff, a human being empowered with an invincible faith can survive all odds the world can throw against his tortured soul. Robert H. Schuller

wannadanc@earthlink.net