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Playful Pet Rocks©
Decorate your garden with your own playful pet rocks!
 SUPPLIES
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v Flat rocks
v Variety of animal figurines
v Variety of marbles & flat marbles
v Recycle glass
v Polished rocks
v Broken pottery
v Glass flowers & glass fish
v Small broken mirror pieces
v Stain glass scraps
v Liquid nails glue – original formula (squeeze tube)
v Disposal gloves |
v Glue cleaner
v Mortar mix
v Disposal containers
v House paint brush
v Paper towels
v Mist bottle with water
v Toothbrushes
v Cotton clothes
v Emery boards
v Concrete sealer (optional)
v Glass cleaner |
 STEP 1
This project is best done in two sessions because of the drying time of the glue. Go on a rock hunt and gather supplies for project. Flat marbles can often be purchased at dollar or craft stores. They can usually be found in the floral department. For your animals, piggy banks and salt and pepper shakers work well. Anything made of plaster will not work as it will eventually deteriorate outside, ceramic pottery and metal is the best to use. If you can find someone who does stain glass work they will usually give you their scraps.
STEP 2
If you do not have enough resources for each student to have their own tube of glue just have them take turns while some students are laying out their designs. In a well ventilated area, begin project by gluing craft glass and marbles on rocks creating an original design using different colors. Kids are usually inspired by the bright shinny colors. Glue animals first and work around the animal, gluing each item by applying a small amount of glue at a time. Go with the contour of the rock as this will make an interesting design. It is not necessary to cover the entire rock as this will give it a more natural look. Have the students use disposable gloves for this step. When the glue builds up reapply a fresh pair of gloves as needed. Label each students rock and set aside to dry until the next session. It is best to wait at least 24 hrs.
STEP 3
Next comes the grouting, this is a lot of fun but it can be messy. Have supplies ready and laid out for the grouting, this is best to do outside. The students love mixing their own grout but it is much easier and neater for the teacher to mix a large amount of mortar mix at a time. Otherwise you will need to individually pour up a container of mixture for each student. It is a must to wear gloves for this process. The mortar will pull the moisture out of your skin causing painful dry cracked hands.
STEP 4
Scoop several cups of mortar in a disposable container and add a small amount of water at a time. Using your gloved hands mix to the consistency of uncooked cornbread. Be sure to mix well in the bottom of container. This is why it is better to only mix a couple of cups at a time. If you have too much water, add more mortar and if is too dry add more water. Then, just plop a handful on each rock. Have the students spread the mortar all over their rock pushing the mortar in-between the pieces. It may take more than one handful of mortar depending on the size of rock. Wipe mortar off with paper towels. Repeat this process as needed. If mortar becomes to dry and hard to rub off just lightly mist rock with water bottle. Use toothbrushes to clean off any areas around the rock that mortar has accumulated. Gently brush off mortar dust with large paint brush. Let dry for about 15 minutes. Project will begin to haze as it dries then buff with dry cloth.
STEP 5
After 24 hours gently file any rough edges with an emery board and clean any excess glue with glue cleaner for a neater finish. Then brush on concrete sealer and wipe off with a cotton cloth. The sealer will give a shine to your finished product and weather proof it. Use a window cleaner to shine up your project and now you are ready to display your rock in your garden.
You will want to visit your adorable pet rocks in your garden often!
 TEACHER TIPS
Cost will depend on size of rock; average is 50 cents to 2.00 per project. These rocks can also be used as door stops, paper weights, or displayed on easels.
This project gets a 4 on a five point messy scale!
Developed By:
Sharon Abbott
Bell County, Texas Master Gardener
Meet Sharon Abbott |
