Strong, versatile, and amazingly easy to work with, concrete is the ideal medium for outdoor art and long-lasting, practical projects for the garden. And, best of all, it doesn't cost a lot of money or require special equipment; everything you need is right at the local home improvement center, ready and waiting. A celebrated teacher has gathered the tried-and-true techniques used by sculptors and folk artists, and then tailored them perfectly for low-tech surroundings and personal expression. Work with molds; form over armatures; model or carve with concrete; take advantage of technical advances to develop lighter, stronger structures; and treat concrete surfaces with mosaics, embedded objects, incising, and coloring. For dazzling outdoor embellishment, craft Garden Critter Stepping Stones, a Trough Planter, Birdbath, Little Lady Fountain, and a jazzy border. Every one of the 25 projects will open up new creative horizons!
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From Library Journal
Decorated concrete figures have recently moved out of the realm of eccentric folk art and roadside religious "grottoes" into mainstream yards and gardens. Here are projects by several designers for making mosaic stepping stones, birdbaths, carved planters, and art figures. The projects are grouped by skill level and offer step-by-step instructions on how to mix concrete, make molds, and embed mosaics. The finished products are heavy, year-round installations intended to stay where they are placed. This is a good, practical book for public library craft and garden collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
Bell Buckle, TN
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
However, _Making Concrete Garden Ornaments_ is the same book, just a different title, and is much cheaper.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
101 of 102 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not just for girly girls!
Oct 5 2001
By edfan
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
I've purchased a lot of concrete books lately. The techie types especially, from ponderously named Institutes of Concrete Poobahs and Frou Frou Architecture publishers. THIS is the book that puts them all to shame.
It isn't just for making artsy crafty things. If you want to pour a concrete sidewalk or make dog proof furniture or dress up the patio in a truly boring condo - buy this book and study it. Read it with an eye toward using it as a permanent reference work and lab manual as well as inspiration resource. (If you've gone to university lately, you'll know this is an amazingly low cost textbook - filled with color pictures, line drawings and detailed instructions that go way beyond even the best lecture.) From forming and construction to finishing techniques, this book has everything needed to master concrete work in a residential setting.
The raw material is dirt cheap. DIRT CHEAP. You can afford to give yourself an intensive course in concrete handling for less than $$$, including the book itself and a bunch of projects. By the time you've made the acquaintance of just a few styles of Quikrete at Home Depot, you WILL be able to cast your own concrete countertops in the new house. No kidding.
76 of 76 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent ideas
July 24 2001
By Melissa
- Published on Amazon.com
Last year I made a birdbath, several troughs and some plaques with carved New Grange spirals on them with a hypertufa mixture I played around with. When I saw this book I took a chance and ordered it despite cringing at the Canadian currency exchange rate. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! The instructions for the projects, the techniques and the huge array of special recipes for concrete mixes (depending on your project) are great. I am interested in making some small sculptures this year and I was amazed that you could create a mix that can be molded like plasticene. I can also hardly wait to try sandcasting another birdbath basin and imbedding some cut glass into it. If you love your garden and are at all creative (or even if you're not!) get this book and start to play. Have a concrete party! Garden sculpture you create with your own hands and then display (much to the awe of any visitors) is incredibly rewarding. Thank you Sherri for a wonderful addition to my library.
108 of 111 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Won't Be Disappointed!
Feb 12 2002
By Jodie Davis
- Published on Amazon.com
As the author of over a dozen crafts books I am often disappointed with how-to books that lack depth and breadth of ideas. Not this one! Not just a project book, the author provides lots of fodder for working out your own ideas. Many methods, mixes, and options for going about working with concrete are explained clearly. And the projects themselves range from beignner to much more advanced. I have worked with hypertufa and was looking for more inspiration and guidance in how I could take working with concrete further. This is it!
This book will excite you and challange you as much as you wish to be challanged. What amazing stuff one can do with concrete! I'm off to Home Depot.
This book will excite you and challange you as much as you wish to be challanged. What amazing stuff one can do with concrete! I'm off to Home Depot.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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