Creating Concrete Art Furniture


Book Description

Concrete is a fascinating material in the hands of a creative person. The Direct Concrete Technique, illustrated in this book, empowers anyone to make furniture or sculpture by hand without molds or forms. The key to this method is the use of a steel armature covered with wires. With 296 vivid color photos and precise text, you can learn the steps necessary to use concrete as a fine art material to create innovative and imaginative furniture, from initial concept and the creation of the armature to the application of concrete and finishing the artwork. Bold and elegant designs of lightweight curvilinear elements can be fashioned with this method. The advantages of concrete and the direct technique are numerous, and the results are immediate and durable. Skills to make free-formed objects of concrete are easily mastered and creative opportunities abound throughout the process. A furniture gallery is provided for further inspiration.




Making Concrete Sculpture


Book Description

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.




Creating with Concrete


Book Description

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!




Concrete Garden Projects


Book Description

For gardeners and backyard do-it-yourselfers, concrete is a revelation. It's durable, weatherproof, impossible to steal, and it provides much-needed insulation for outdoor plants. Concrete weathers beautifully, softening around the edges, developing moss, and becoming more picturesque with age. Concrete Garden Projects takes advantage of concrete's numerous assets, showcasing an inspiring array of creative options. The step-by-step instructions for dozens of easy, do-it-yourself décor ideas include containers of all shapes and sizes, elegant benches and stools, miniature ponds and birdbaths, stepping stones, a barbecue, and a fire pit. The authors use a variety of molds easily found or made, household items like bowls and baking pans, and simple wooden frames and boxes. At pennies per pound, and so simple to use—just mix with water and pour—concrete is the key to hand-crafted backyard décor.




HomeMade Modern


Book Description

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.




Young House Love


Book Description

This New York Times bestselling book is filled with hundreds of fun, deceptively simple, budget-friendly ideas for sprucing up your home. With two home renovations under their (tool) belts and millions of hits per month on their blog YoungHouseLove.com, Sherry and John Petersik are home-improvement enthusiasts primed to pass on a slew of projects, tricks, and techniques to do-it-yourselfers of all levels. Packed with 243 tips and ideas—both classic and unexpected—and more than 400 photographs and illustrations, this is a book that readers will return to again and again for the creative projects and easy-to-follow instructions in the relatable voice the Petersiks are known for. Learn to trick out a thrift-store mirror, spice up plain old roller shades, "hack" your Ikea table to create three distinct looks, and so much more.




Making Concrete Garden Ornaments


Book Description

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.




Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden


Book Description

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.




Guerilla Furniture Design


Book Description

Build stylish and functional furniture from salvaged materials. This innovative guide presents dozens of strategies for upcycling scrap cardboard, metal, plastic, or wood into dependable shelving units, sturdy tables, and fun lamps. With directions for 35 easy and inexpensive projects that include a Cardboard Cantilever Chair, a License Plate Bowl, a Conduit Coatrack, and much more, you’ll be inspired to start filling your home with unique high-style furniture that makes sense for both your wallet and the environment.




Arts & Crafts Era Concrete Projects


Book Description

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.