Customer Reviews

Creating with Concrete: Yard Art, Sculpture and Garden Projects

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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.

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.

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.

Who knew concrete could be such fun? This beautifully illustrated book by well-known Tennessee sculptor Sherri Warner Hunter provides easy to follow step-by-step instructions for a variety of concrete sculpture projects. Projects range from the small-and-simple to to large-and-sophisticated, but all are imaginative, colorful, and documented with precision. Clearly & logically organized, the book introduces the reader to basic concrete terms, materials & techniques. Projects are divided by skill level and each one includes an exhaustive list of materials, tools and related supplies needed, and step-by-step instructions (which include clear photographs and diagrams for each step).

Also included in the book are helpful lists of sources for materials, contact information for the artists whose works are included, and an index.

Particularly noteworthy are the beautifully composed and presented color photographs of MS Hunter's marvelous sculptures, which clearly deserve a book of their own.

A highly recommended purchase for public libraries of all sizes

was pleasantly surprised with how easy this book makes it look to work with concrete. i had only tackled making stepping stones before this book. looking at the projects, when the book arrived, i felt out of my medium. but, the first two chapters make everything so clear. BUY THIS BOOK! there is something for all skill levels. i can't say this enough....BUY THIS BOOK!

I read many craft and design books, many of which are not worth owning. This book is far and above one of the better books I have read. It is filled with many different and inspiring ideas about using concrete and provides enough detailed instruction to get you going on a project of your own. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for new project ideas for the garden!

This is one of the best craft books I have ever read. The instructions are very easy to follow and the projects are wonderful..I plan to do a lot of projects for my garden this spring...

However, _Making Concrete Garden Ornaments_ is the same book, just a different title, and is much cheaper.

This is a great book, with lots of information. Even if you have never worked with concrete before this book makes it easy. I highly recommend this book! I was right out the next day making things. ENJOY!

Fabulous, great detail. I have yet to create with it but I read it a little at a time getting jazzed up for it. Too hot really to be making concrete but when I get the urge, it won't stop me.