Creative Concrete Ornaments For The Garden

Sherri Hunter, author of the best-selling Creating with Concrete, proves once again that concrete isn't just for sidewalks anymore; it's perfect for the garden too. A selection of 30 beautiful designs suggests the range of this increasingly popular material, and the illustrated instructions make the craft's fundamentals easy to learn. Because the simplest projects come first, beginners can work their way through the book progressively, building on their skills. Novices will have fun making the carved trough, sandcast bowl, and elegant relief panel. More sophisticated projects, including a decorative walkway and polished table, come next, and they'll bring charm to any outdoor space. More adventurous artists can unleash their creativity on a "Garden Guardian" sculpture or water feature. A Selection of the Crafters Choice and Homestyle Book Clubs.

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.

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!

T.J. Neil shares his techniques and recipes for success in the creation of enormous concrete sculptures strong enough to withstand transport and the tests of time. This book provides valuable insights into the successful construction of concrete art through text and 371 clear color photos of concrete sculptures, both complete and under construction. A list of required materials and sound advice for procuring and mixing concrete are provided. The wide variety of concrete sculpture subjects portrayed provide artists with inspiration for projects large and small. See fishermen, strong men, mermaids, alligators, dolphins, manatees, frogs, grizzly bears, whales, horses, panthers, cows, sharks, elephants, and even a ten-foot, five thousand pound dragon that hisses three-foot flames. are also shown. Concrete craftsmen will find this book an endless source of inspiration.

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!

Celebrated internationally as artists and gardeners, Little and Lewis open the gates to their renowned Puget Sound garden, describing how a retreat for reflection can be achieved in your own backyard. Gardeners will be encouraged to use their imagination and take risks.

A Library Journal Best Crafts & DIY Book of 2015 Incorporating concrete design into a home garden can now be easily achieved by any do-it-yourself enthusiast! Concrete furniture and containers add style and personality to outdoor spaces, and the addition of color makes these objects even more eye-catching. These trendy pieces can cost thousands of dollars at garden centers and furniture stores, but they can also be made affordably at home. In this hands-on guide, concrete artisans Nathan Smith and Michael Snyder offer basic information on how to mix concrete and add color using dyes, paints, and inlaid materials. The twenty step-by-step projects include small items, like a candle holder with an old-world feel and a simple stacked-ring planter, and larger pieces, like an elegant bike rack and a beautiful fire pit that is the perfect gathering place for friends and family.

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.

“A complete guide to designing, making and planting hypertufa troughs.”—North American Rock Garden Society Hypertufa containers—also known as troughs—are rustic, striking, versatile, and perfect for small, Alpine plants. A mix of cement, perlite, peat, and water, they are simple and affordable to make at home. In Hypertufa Containers, Lori Chips details everything you need to know to make your own troughs and successfully garden in them. This hardworking book includes step-by-step instructions and color photography for making hypertufa containers in a variety of shapes and sizes. Plant portraits include growing and cultivation information, along with potting tips.

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.