Hi Carrol,
I've just recently experimented with doing a wall sculpture out of papercrete, I just uploaded the photos, go to the group website and look for Terry's Photos and go to the second page, they're the last pictures added. Or maybe this link will get you there faster:
I used a piece of mirror to build a clay sculpture on so that I would have a smooth surface for the background. I then taped cardboard strips on end around the sculpture and poured plaster to make a mold. After the mold was done I made a batch of papercrete in my tow mixer - most went to make blocks - I grabbed a few handfuls and squeezed out quite a bit of the water on wire mesh then pushed the PC into the mold and around the edges on top of the mold for the background to about a 1/4 inch thickness, then set a heavy block on it to compress it and left it for a day or so. Once I pop the finished product out of the mold I let it sit in the sun to completely dry.
The 1/4 inch background area can crack if manhandled but otherwise it's pretty sturdy. The sculpture part itself is quite strong.
And that's as far as I've gotten.
Also, Judith mentioned sloshing, I've found that if I put the paper into the mixer and fill with water and let it sit for a couple of days, then add the rest of the ingredients when I'm ready to mix it I don't have any sloshing at all. The paper breaks down really fast when soaked. I don't even have to pull newspaper pages apart when I do it this way, which can be a little time consuming and boring, I can just toss the whole things in there if I soak them. I haven't had any sloshing at all if I let them soak. Of course if you're making a batch more than every couple of days this isn't going to work for you.
When I pull the newspapers apart to a couple pages each, then add water and other ingredients and immediately start towing, the first turns of the blade grab those papers and they push the water which then sloshes out the top of the mixer. I'd like to make a cover for my mixer but haven't gotten around to that yet.
Anyway, just thought I'd mention that.
Terry
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