About Campania InternationalEstablished in 1984, Campania International"s reputation has been built on quality original products and service. Originally selling terra cotta planters, Campania soon began to research and develop the design and manufacture of cast stone garden planters and ornaments. Campania is also an importer and wholesaler of garden products, including polyethylene, terra cotta, glazed pottery, cast iron, and fiberglass planters as well as classic garden structures, fountains, and cast resin statuary.Campania Cast Stone: The ProcessThe creation of Campania"s cast stone pieces begins and ends by hand. From the creation of an original design, making of a mold, pouring the cast stone, application of the patina to the final packing of an order, the process is both technical and artistic. As many as 30 pairs of hands are involved in the creation of each Campania piece in a labor intensive 15 step process.The process begins either with the creation of an original copyrighted design by Campania"s artisans or an antique original. Antique originals will often require some restoration work, which is also done in-house by expert craftsmen. Campania"s mold making department will then begin a multi-step process to create a production mold which will properly replicate the detail and texture of the original piece. Depending on its size and complexity, a mold can take as long as three months to complete. Campania creates in excess of 700 molds per year.After a mold is completed, it is moved to the production area where a team individually hand pours the liquid cast stone mixture into the mold and employs special techniques to remove air bubbles. Campania carefully monitors the PSI of every piece. PSI (pounds per square inch) measures the strength of every piece to ensure durability. The PSI of Campania pieces is currently engineered at approximately 7500 for optimum strength. Each piece is air-dried and then de-molded by hand. After an internal quality check,