I have been working on
@wabanzi's
kusudama flower topiaries for months. I've got one completed and am putting the finishing touches on another. I love the look and am super-excited except for one glaring issue: the damn stick.
I have been using a wooden dowel to keep the topiary up. I originally secured it in a cheap bucket with plaster of paris, planning to later place it in a pretty planter with some fake moss something like that.
As I've been working on it, the plaster of paris has begun to crumble and the poles keep popping out whenever someone moves them. More importantly, the poles aren't straight. This is driving me crazy.
How would you secure a stick in a long stick in a planter or bucket? I'd use cement or try plaster of paris again but they dry slowly and I could never get them to stay straight and even.
Any ideas?
Re: Help needed: securing a pole
I'm the fuck out.
Sorry- I don't have photos with me (of course!) so I was hoping her tutorial would help.
I'm struggling to find photos beyond that. In the meantime, to better describe:
I have a smaller plastic buckets (handles ripped off) that I poured plaster of paris into. Before it tried, I secured a wodden dowel into the middle of each. I used a level to ensure they were straight then put a milk crate over it to ensure that it didn't sway too much while drying. It did, so now the dowels are slightly angled and it looks odd.
I wanted to use floral foam to hold it in place at the bottom but I didn't think it would be sturdy enough to hold up the weight of the big ball of paper flowers. Perhaps I could use that to keep it straight then add weight from plaster or paris or cement on top of it?
I'm the fuck out.
I don't care about the buckets themselves, I just want to fit it in my 7.5" planters (and only because the planters were stupid expensive and I lost the receipt). The thought behind the planters was that it would be easier to move them around and hide any ugly mistakes.
Thank you all!
It sounds like plaster of Paris is the way to go. I followed the instructions on the package exactly so I'm wondering if I bought a crappy brand. Maybe it's time to upgrade from the walmart clearance section!
Now I know my plan for after work today. Thank you all!
I'm the fuck out.
BTW- the kits for in-home poles are actually relatively easy to install. The key is to have good surfaces to connect to-- many ceilings aren't strong enough to support without extra support. And I have to admit that I kinda love that I know this!
I'm the fuck out.
Sadly, I don't have one of my own. I just got to help my friend install hers. I wish I had the upper body strength for that!
I'm the fuck out.