There I was at the library in the Island House, signing up to use the Free WiFi–which I do three or four days a week out of sheer desperation–when Jackie Weber accosted me. “You should come to the stone house workshop,” she said. I was dubious, but Jackie is persuasive, so I presented myself at the library on Saturday morning with a bag of rocks and a good attitude. The first thing I learned was that I had not brought enough rocks. On the other hand, I had brought the little camera and plenty of extra words to go around, and Seneca had brought chocolate chip cookies, so that was all right then.
A group of moms and grandmas and little girls and older girls assembled in the community room downstairs. Boys and dads were allowed, but elected to stay away, possibly on account of the splendid sports buffet on television. Their loss–and U of M’s, too, but I digress (wicked little Spartan grin).
Jackie explained it all. Start with a nice clean pine base. Spritz it with water. Apply pre-mixed concrete liberally, one side at a time please.
Smoosh in the stones, taking care to make a pleasing pattern. Press firmly to secure.
Everyone had brought different things to incorporate in the work. All of us had quantities of stones picked up along the shore, but we raided old jewelry boxes, button jars, junk drawers and the bottoms of our purses, too. Waste not want not.
The best part, as always, was listening to the stories. This was my grandmother’s watch, my sister’s charm bracelet, my mother’s pin . . . they’re all gone now. The bird is for my little girl–I found these on the beach at Empire–I, um, found these in the bargain bin at Michael’s Crafts–my parents built a stone fireplace in the cottage on Torch Lake–I found this heart-shaped stone and I’ve been saving it for something special–this stuff all belonged to my kids . . . they left it when they moved out so I figure it’s fair game . . . (general hilarity ensued).
Everyone did something completely different, and everyone had a good time.
Then it was time to help clean up . . .
And go home happy.
Thanks Jackie.
Torch Lake Views 
laureneverettfinn
October 19, 2011
Those are so cute! I imagine that they weigh quite a bit too… 🙂
Loved your “wicked little Spartan grin”….I’m sporting one too.
Gerry
October 19, 2011
Those are heavy birdhouses indeed, suitable for lamp bases of the kind the sultry blonde in a noir novel might swing to evil effect. As we keep a cat, we feel that putting the birdhouse up outdoors would be an invitation to unpleasantness, so we are rather leaning toward the lamp base. Unwary innocents beware in either case.
Carsten
October 19, 2011
Thank’s for the documentary Gerry. You have been busy with the little camera, and that’s good for all the busy arm-smiths. They can have one more opportunity to being proud of themselves when they see your blog.
Imagine if you had brought plenty of stones. We wouldn’t have this post. Glad you had spare words.
Gerry
October 19, 2011
Thank you Carsten. I seem to have a ready supply of words at all times. Far more than I can squeeze into my teeny tiny internet pipeline. We await developments.
P.j. grath
October 19, 2011
If only very small stones were used, would something lighter than concrete work to hold them in place? Just wondering. Looks and sounds (from your account) like everyone had a good time. The possibilities intrigue me. After all, there will be a lot of dark winter evenings coming up soon.
Gerry
October 19, 2011
Actually (sorry PJ) I thought that nice pre-mix spackling might work with small stones and other lightweight things. I am going to experiment and report back to the group. The possibilities intrigue me, too.
Part of the reason the birdhouses are heavy is that they are sturdy ones, made to mount outdoors as birdie condos. Purely decorative ones could be a lot lighter.
Of course, I could go the other way, too, and slather concrete all over the Writing Studio and Bait Shop, the better to cover it with rocks, beach glass and various mementos of a misspent youth (and middle age, come to that–but I digress).
Katherine
October 19, 2011
OOOOOOOOOOH Gerry That’s a great idea about your house…. Can I help???
Gerry
October 20, 2011
Yes. I am counting on your help.
Joss
October 20, 2011
Yes, you just mentioned beach glass. I still have a collection of that, which I’m saving for something special. I love the idea of collecting all that worthless but treasured memorabilia in one place. My sister is making necklaces which incorporate tiny treasures that people have hung onto over the years plus anything to do with their identity. Wearing the necklace gives the most wonderfully warm feeling, with symbols of everything you love hanging over your heart. (You can see what I mean if you go to her shop on Etsy. It’s called Jewel Identity. I realise you may have to take this advertising down!)
I love the bird houses. I have many other plans that involve concrete.
Gerry
October 20, 2011
I am very curious about your plans involving concrete. I have some ideas of my own. We should compare notes.
When I am at the library with its normal internet service I will head over to Jewel Identity. You make it sound irresistible. I always wanted to make a piece of jewelry from copper–there is a lot of it under the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and it has great symbolic significance–that would incorporate bits and pieces found on my adventures or squirreled away after misadventures.
uphilldowndale
October 20, 2011
That is one glamorous bird house, that would be at home in a mighty oak.
Do you pebble-dash houses in your part of the world?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roughcast
Gerry
October 20, 2011
I expect we do something like that and call it something else, but when I went to look at the link it didn’t remind me of anything I’d seen. When we do stone houses we tend to build them of the large stones that come out of the nearby fields–there are a lot of stones, you see. Waste not want not. We (well, the stonemasons–heaven knows I don’t do anything of the sort) mortar them together into a wall much as bricklayers build brick walls.
I believe I must post some pictures of some of the stone houses in the Township, and in nearby locations. I like them. And the fireplaces. You should see the fireplaces people have built in cottages around Torch Lake.
Gerry
October 20, 2011
Wait, wait — here is a link to a fine stone fireplace and a fine stone chimney at Don and Carol Leys’s cottage.
Cottages of Torch Lake: Harris Beach
Karma
October 20, 2011
What a wicked cool idea! Did you make your own, Gerry? I can somehow see my hubby looking at me with an arched eyebrow should I start mixing up spackle or concrete, however!
Gerry
October 21, 2011
I did make one. Mine suffers from too few stones, leaving it to look more like a birdie prison than a birdie resort cabin, but I provided keys, too, so that’s all right then.
The lovely part of pre-mix spackle or concrete is that no one is any the wiser until it’s too late.
Bruce
October 21, 2011
Very nice bird houses. Maybe a good use for Andi’s extensive beach glass collection.
Still driving to Elk Rapids for Internet? What’s the latest Charter rumor?
Gerry
October 21, 2011
I am glad you like the birdhouses. I would like to talk to Andi about her beach glass. (Did she see the slideshow on TLV awhile ago? I need to keep better track of these things.)
With respect to the internet . . . Bruce! I do not deal in rumors! I report the facts, sir, nothing but the facts. Fact 1: Bill Morand assures me that the upgrade is on target to be completed by the end of this month. Fact 2: He says Charter will be offering actual connections “in the first part of November.” Fact 3: There have been Charter contractors’ trucks all over the Township for weeks now, and they are Doing Things. The Guys on the Trucks say that it’s all going well–what else are they going to say?–but they look pretty pleased with themselves.
But yes, pending completion of the upgrade, I am still driving to ER for the free WiFi at the Library, which is definitely a pleasure, as the Library staff are all delightful people. I think that even after I acquire Real Internet at home I will have to go down to the ER Library–and over to the Central Lake Library as well–just because they are nice places to be.
Cheri Sell
October 21, 2011
I thought of you today as the car in front of me was sporting a SPARTANS license plate.
Gerry
October 21, 2011
An excellent association. I thought of you when I was having a good time at a library. (I suspect that only the kindest people are fit for staff duty at libraries. The rest of us arrive looking hopeful and befuddled and in need of a little kindness.)
Sybil
October 21, 2011
What a lovely time.
Gerry
October 21, 2011
You know what? It was. I expected it to be very nice, but I had no idea how much fun I’d have. I think I must follow Jackie’s recommendations.
Bruce
October 21, 2011
I spoke with a group of the Charter workers today. They said the goal for the improved service is November 15. “But that is a soft date.”
Gerry
October 21, 2011
Now I am morose, bordering on depressed. I will send Bill Morand a little email and let you know what he says. (Did you invite the Charter workers in for a nice snack? A quick snack, of course.)
flandrumhill
October 23, 2011
Now there’s a craft that’s for the birds. You Michigan folk are so clever.
Gerry
November 8, 2011
Well, we seem to be compulsive about picking up beach stones while we’re on vacation, and then we have to do something with them.
Jackie Weber
November 8, 2011
I have made 100s of birdhouses and each time I do a class – I am amazed at the creativity of the people. Each stone birdhouse is unique and filled with so much love.
Warm regards
Jackie Weber
Gerry
November 8, 2011
That was the part I didn’t expect–the love invested in each one. So many women were remembered in stories that day–the mothers and grandmas and sisters and aunts so dearly missed. It was a fine experience.
Patty
October 16, 2014
I tried making a stone birdhouse using concrete, however after it rained it fell apart. What did I do wrong? Did I possibly use a different type of concrete?
Gerry
November 7, 2014
Hi Patty – It’s just standard pre-mixed concrete patch – interior-exterior. (Maybe there’s one that’s just for indoor use??)
You just dampen the clean wood, spread the pre-mixed patch over it, apply the stones (small flat ones work well), and let the whole thing cure (dry thoroughly) before putting it outside.
I hope you have better luck next time.