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Rum Dog's Tiki Cactus Garden project for Mojave Oasis |
Rum Dog
Grand Member (4 years) 
Joined: Dec 07, 2010
Posts: 284
From: Canyon Hills, CA
|  Posted: 2013-04-03 9:58 pm Permalink
Thought I would document the final tiki cactus I am making for Mojave Oasis. This is an easy project that anyone can do, especially for those who live in desert communities who want to mix tiki with elements of their local environment.
First step is to go to your local box store and buy a 6 inch wide drain pipe with connectors.
Second is to cut and connect.
Next step is to paper mache and add some tikiness.
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (7 years) 
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 7560
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2013-04-04 06:00 am Permalink
Cool cactus concept Rum Dog! You gonna make it so it comes apart for transport?
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Queen Kamehameha
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 21, 2003
Posts: 1413
From: So Cal
| Posted: 2013-04-04 2:16 pm Permalink
lol more cool Mojave stuff!
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LoriLovesTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 03, 2011
Posts: 1043
From: NJ
| Posted: 2013-04-04 3:49 pm Permalink
Can't wait to see pictures of your cactus project finished!
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littlegiles
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 08, 2003
Posts: 665
From: Lancaster, SC
| Posted: 2013-04-04 4:33 pm Permalink
Loving this. Can't wait to see more. Cool idea Rum Dog.
Dale
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Rum Dog
Grand Member (4 years)
Joined: Dec 07, 2010
Posts: 284
From: Canyon Hills, CA
| Posted: 2013-04-04 4:39 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2013-04-04 06:00, MadDogMike wrote:
Cool cactus concept Rum Dog! You gonna make it so it comes apart for transport?
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I make them so they come apart at the base only so that the cactus part looks seamless. (They really don't even need a base if you make them to have have part of the drain pipe buried in the ground). Yes, having them intact will make it more difficult to get them all (I made 4)out to Mojave. I am not going to rent another U-Haul truck. I will see if it all fits into my SUV this weekend. If I have trouble I will see if anyone at the Internation Marketplace who is coming to Mojave & has some extra room in their vehicle can help me out.
Thanks Amy, Lori, and Dale.
The final product will be revealed in a little more than a week when I return from Mojave.
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Rum Dog
Grand Member (4 years)
Joined: Dec 07, 2010
Posts: 284
From: Canyon Hills, CA
| Posted: 2013-04-04 4:53 pm Permalink
Next I take off the top part of the pipe and work on creating some tikiness. I use some cheap pool float sticks and cut them to get some shape. Also use alot of Duct tape.
I use a $5 wall paper paste as my glue for the paper mache.
Re-attach to see how this looks from a distance. The openings of the pipe at the top will be holders for tiki torches.
Mad Dog Mike, I had you in mind when I was thinking up this cactus tiki. This one will eventually be a cannibal cactus when its complete. When I am done using it for my Tiki Cactus Garden camp site it is yours. It will be a nice decoration next to your cool Cannibal trailer for future travels.
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Loki-Tiki
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 313
From: Like...The Valley
| Posted: 2013-04-05 1:57 pm Permalink
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You know, if the cactus project does not work out, you can make one hell oh a potato cannon out of it!
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Rum Dog
Grand Member (4 years)
Joined: Dec 07, 2010
Posts: 284
From: Canyon Hills, CA
| Posted: 2013-04-07 08:43 am Permalink
More paper mache and use of pool noodle foam.
Then use some rope to create more definition. Give the arms some bumps to make it less drain pipe looking.
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littlegiles
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 08, 2003
Posts: 665
From: Lancaster, SC
| Posted: 2013-04-07 08:51 am Permalink
I love where this is headed. Great use of papermache. I have never worked with that other than as a kid covering a balloon. You really are working some magic on that piece.
Thanks for sharing the steps.
Dale
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Rum Dog
Grand Member (4 years)
Joined: Dec 07, 2010
Posts: 284
From: Canyon Hills, CA
| Posted: 2013-04-09 9:28 pm Permalink
I put on a final layer of paper mache using Kirkland brand paper towels from Costco. I like its texture.
I first tried using some wall texture spray but I didn’t like how it took the paint.
What I found that worked better was using some old paint that I had in the garage and mixing in a boatload of sand into it.
This created the texture and consistency I was looking for.
For final coloring I just used some 99 cent bottles of paint from arts & crafts section of Wallmart and mixed them together with some water until I found a combination to my liking.
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (7 years)
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 7560
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2013-04-09 9:33 pm Permalink
The sneak previews are lookin cool RumDog. Im not sure that cactus will fit in my little trailer though 
_________________
When you hurry through life, you just get to the end faster.
Pirate Ship Tree House
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Bay Park Buzzy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2006
Posts: 2893
From: West Bay Park, San Diego, CA
| Posted: 2013-04-09 9:46 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2013-04-07 08:43, Rum Dog wrote:
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You have a really nice workshop there! Remarkably clean.
Cool concept as well. I predict some fire...
Buzzy Out!
_________________
 
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Gwen
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Mar 20, 2013
Posts: 69
From: Northern California
| Posted: 2013-04-10 09:11 am Permalink
I am really enjoying your thread. Fun to see it coming together from scratch like this...
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Rum Dog
Grand Member (4 years)
Joined: Dec 07, 2010
Posts: 284
From: Canyon Hills, CA
| Posted: 2013-04-16 10:37 am Permalink
To make the bases I use an empty pretzel container from Costco.
More duck tape and pool noodle to make the shape.
Papermache the exterior and fill the container about 3/4 full of quickcrete cement.
Put a piece of drain pipe so that it sticks out about three inches out of the top. (this is not shown in the photo)
Here is the finished base with the pipe sticking out.
I used a rock finish spray paint and 99 cent craft paint to color the rock bases.
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