Last year my chiminea cracked after several years of winters and heavy use, so I repaired it with cement and used fireplace mortar to cover it with stained glass, tiles, and marbles. I then grouted it with fireplace cement. Hopefully it will last for years to come. I can't wait for crisp fall nights in the garden to light a fire. Now it is full of candles. If you look towards the right you will see one of the doxies, Charlie, getting in the shot.