I bought my quick setting concrete from Home Depot. I used it to make a thin first layer on a bucket. It sets up in 15 minutes. Did you ask someone who actually works in that department?

Look in the Yellow Pages under "Mason Contractor's Equipment and Supplies". The better lumber yards (where contractors shop) around here have it too. And they'll load it for you.

Be careful in the use of that .......speaking from experience, I have had HUGE failures with items crumbling. Pavers that now look like gravel!!!!!! Some took a year to break down, but I will never AGAIN use quick set type concrete for art projects.

My own mix of Portland cement, sand, and bonding mix has withstood the test of time, as I have hundreds of leaves - some of them HUGE - and not one has turned to gravel - after 3 years of being outside.

Thanks for the warning. Sorry you had such a bad experience.
Looks like it's back to the drawing board. :) Rhonda

Rhonda - can you use regular concrete mix??? That is what I will do when I go back to making things that broke to bits. It IS cheaper than rapid set, anyway.

I have used a cement/sand mix so far just to play with. I still have lots to learn in the endeavor. The only real problem I have had is the air bubbles on the surface. Some of my molds are pretty detailed. Right now, I'm waiting for the weather to break. I'm looking at 3 inches of snow in my backyard.

rhonda, Even the most experienced casters get "air bubbles" because there are so many things that can cause them. Too much mixing, the mold release, the temperature, the ingredients,the mold, all of these can cause air bubbles. Sometimes it helps to vibrate the mold and other times you're only adding to the problem. You can make a slurry from the same recipe to rub on the air bubbles but to my eye you always see them on a mortar mix (cement & sand). Billie

Thanks billie ann. Looks like I will have to let go of a perfect piece, and do the best I can and see what happens.

Sorry for another question. It's my brain on delay. ha! Would I have better results with less air bubbles if I used cement mix?? Thanks.