Creating With Concrete And Mosaic

Casting in concrete is an exciting project that is both enjoyable and practical. You can create all sorts of decorations and furniture for your home that are sure to be the envy of all your neighbors. But the fun doesn’t have to stop there! Concrete lends itself to many unique and exquisite projects, and decorating these pieces with beautiful mosaic patterns makes them all the more impressive. Here, interior decorating journalists and stylists Sania and Susanna show you how to do that. Decorating with mosaic and pouring concrete are both addictive; once you start, you won’t want to stop. With step-by-step photos and instructions, Sania and Susanna show you how to create more than twenty different decorations and ornate trinkets. Whether you’re someone looking to create a new decoration for your home or a fledgling concrete caster, this book has a little something for everyone. The sky is the limit! Let your imagination run wild, and be inspired!

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!

A celebrated teacher has gathered the tried-and-true techniques used by sculptors and folk artists, and tailored them for low-tech surroundings. Work with molds; form over armatures; model or carve with concrete; and treat concrete surfaces with mosaics, embedded objects, incising, and coloring. For dazzling outdoor embellishments, craft a birdbath, a Little Lady Fountain, and more. Twenty-five projects in all.

This reprint of an important work details the authors' groundbreaking work in Arts & Crafts era projects created with concrete. Projects include majolica and mosaic tiles, bowls and vases, flower boxes and garden pottery, and architectural applications. Techniques covered include the creation of plaster molds, surface finishes, and slip painting as well as recipes for cement mixes, color applications, and the simple tools needed to get started. The processes are so basic, and the materials so widely available, that the authors even suggest projects for school children. Moreover they offer design tips that are perfect for anyone hoping to recreate Arts & Crafts era accents for their home.

Imagine beautiful mosaic pieces with tiles that you easily create yourself! Mixed-Media Mosaics offers a fresh, new approach to a traditional art form. By making your own tiles from polymer clay, you control the size, shape, color and even the texture, resulting in beautiful finished pieces that include tabletops, boxes, jewelry and shrines. In addition to learning traditional tiling techniques such as working with grout and cutting glass tile, you'll also explore creative options for personalizing tiles: • Discover the magic of mica powders and the regal look they can give to mosaics • Learn quick and easy ways of adding paint to handcrafted and commercial tile • See how easy it is to create molds and cast your own relief tiles • Find ways to add personal meaning to your work with the addition of text tiles • Experiment with the addition of beads, jewelry and other embellishments by embedding them right into the tile! Whether you'd like to complete a mosaic tabletop for your patio, a jewelry box as a special gift, or simply experiment with jewelry, you'll find the inspiration you seek in Mixed-Media Mosaics. Start creating your custom mosaic pieces today.

You can make the furniture you want at a fraction of the price of store-bought furniture. Not only will you save tons of money, but you'll also make environmentally sustainable pieces that are solidly built, using real materials like metal, wood, concrete, and other recycled ready-mades. The projects in this book don't require special skills, prior experience, or even a garage full of tools. You'll be walked step-by-step through the process of making furniture, from where to buy the materials (or where to scavenge) to how to make the most of the tools you own.

New York Times best seller Ever since Gabrielle Stanley Blair became a parent, she’s believed that a thoughtfully designed home is one of the greatest gifts we can give our families, and that the objects and decor we choose to surround ourselves with tell our family’s story. In this, her first book, Blair offers a room-by-room guide to keeping things sane, organized, creative, and stylish. She provides advice on getting the most out of even the smallest spaces; simple fixes that make it easy for little ones to help out around the house; ingenious storage solutions for the never-ending stream of kid stuff; rainy-day DIY projects; and much, much more.

Over 45 elegant concrete designs for your beautiful, modern home with just a bag of ready-mixed concrete, water, and a few items you can find around the house. Concrete is in. And no wonder: it's inexpensive, durable, and makes unique, stunning pieces with which to decorate your home. With just a bag of ready-mixed concrete, water, and a few utensils and molds you can find around the house, you can create beautiful, minimalist items in no time at all; from clocks, vases, lampshades and bowls through to jewelry, wine coolers, and desk organisers. Each project is equipped with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and tips, and all can be made with very little know-how-- making it a perfect craft for beginner concrete artisans, as well as the more experienced mason. A perfect mix of power, presence and practicality, bring concrete into your home today and discover a new-found love for this often overlooked but remarkable building material.

This complete resource of mosaic techniques and design ideas is sure to become your go-to reference. With clear step-by-step sequences, mosaic artist Bonnie Fitzgerald shows how to draw up an idea, cut and arrange tiles, and lay designs successfully. All tools, materials, and equipment are clearly explained, and you'll find helpful hints on setting up a comfortable workspace, as well as essential information on installing your finished mosaics. Includes 10 project descriptions, such as a mirror frame, table top, house number, and two- and three-dimensional artworks. Plus, you'll find tips and sample mosaics from some of the world's leading mosaic artists throughout the book!

An indispensable compendium of essential know-how, inspirational projects, and troubleshooting tips Just like having a mosaic tutor on call 24 hours a day-this book is packed with handy, timesaving tips, trade secrets, templates, projects, and technical knowledge to improve your skills, speed up the learning process, and help you make unique mosaics with a professional finish. Easy-to-follow step-by-step techniques, photography, and illustrations. Professional quick fixes and solutions for commonly encountered problems. Advice on what to buy and how to use the tools and materials-from stained glass to pebbles, shells, and beads. Tips on design-finding ideas, order of work, and adding eye-catching details-as well as handy templates to allow you to create stylish mosaics straight away. Book jacket.