How to Make a Fake Frozen Pond

Frozen-over bodies of water are a quintessential winter image.

Frozen natural bodies of water have a serene beauty that's an iconic part of outdoor nature scenes. In order to bring a version of this beauty indoors, you need fake water that won't melt and an equally fake snowy landscape. Create your own small, fake frozen pond for winter holiday displays using casting resin and papier mache. 

Things You'll Need

• Chicken wire
• Waterproof wood glue
• Large mixing bowl
• Newspaper
• White spray paint
• Blue spray paint
• Two-part casting resin
• Craft spray frost

Instructions

1. Build a chicken wire frame for the fake pond and surrounding land area. Use a rectangular piece of chicken wire that's about half again as big as you want the completed area to be. Bend the wire into the shape of a bumpy miniature landscape with a bowl-like area in the center.

2. Coat the frame in papier mache. Mix a solution of 1 part wood glue and 1 part water. Tear strips of newspaper, soak them in the glue solution and wrap them around both sides of the chicken wire shape. Use at least four layers of glue on each side. Let the first coat dry completely before adding the others. Let all layers of paper dry completely before proceeding.

3. Paint the frame white on both sides, representing snow. Lightly spray paint the inside of the bowl hollow with blue paint.

4. Mix the casting resin according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a disposable container; you will not be able to clean it. Stir until the liquid is slightly cloudy to ensure a good mix.

5. Fill the hollow in the pond frame with liquid resin. Pour the resin into the hollow immediately after mixing it. Direct the flow in the center of the hollow to avoid resin flowing down the sides of the pond. Let the resin set according to instructions; avoid moving or jostling the papier mache frame as it sets.

6. Spray the top of the pond and the model lightly with frost spray.

References

• "The Big-Ass Book of Home Decor: More Than 100 Inventive Projects for Cool Homes Like Yours;" Mark Montano and Auxy Espinoza; 2010