Customer Reviews

Making Concrete Garden Ornaments

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent primer. I recommend it whole-heartedly because you won't see this good info anywhere else EXCEPT...another book by the same author titled CREATING WITH CONCRETE. Both books are identical, page for page--only the titles are different. So don't do what I did and avidly run out and buy that book too thinking it's new info...It's identical!

as far as i have seen, there is no other book like this one.
think of it; you can; with this excellent book, create your own sculptures and the neighbors will die of envy! they will think you came into an inheritance and can now afford to enlist a fine artist to grace your front lawn with art.
or how about a knock-out hugh heavy deeply engraved wildly artistic planter? the whole neighborhood will be on you to do your magic for them. i have so many plans now that i yearned to do for years and never thought was possible to acomplish.
the book is extremely well laid out. tons and tons of step by step pictures. and various formulas for concrete from the usual we are accustomed to; to some very maliable patty sculpture-friendly types of material. the way to structure figures; some very complex, is clearly laid out so that you will never again be able to say "oh, i could never do that".
sherri hunter, i am in your debt!!!

I can't say enough about how easy to follow the instructions are in this book - you are never left wondering - how did she go from this step to the next step? Plenty of information (written and pictured) about concrete as a material, as well as interesting projects to follow or to use as models and inspiration to make your own ideas into reality.

I especially like the clear way she has organized the directions for the various projects. In each, the construction steps are laid out. When she refers to a specific concrete mix or generic construction technique, she then refers you to a different section of the book. In this way she does not repeat the same info over and over in the projects.

At first, I was a little thrown off, but I learned to check the material list, look at the different sections, then look at the project as a whole. It prompted me to do things in the correct order and made the actual construction steps easier to follow. It also makes it very easy, when you get more experienced and create your own works, to go right to the areas that are appropriate for your work and not search through pages of instructions.

I think this is the best how-to book I've ever seen - you can feel very confident in your work with this book as a guide. I've made several projects based on what I've learned - I've carved concrete, modeled it , done tile work - and enjoyed them all.

In my local language- Papiamentu- this means "very good" . I wanted to get more insight in working with cement and I got it now. This book is written very clear, the instructions are easy to follow. With the basic instructions you can continue to develop your own creations. Living in the tropics and having a sunny garden year around, several of the mozaik projects will stand out. I will enjoy this book very very much. And so will my friends who very soon will enjoy some of my art pieces.

According to the author, "Concrete isn't just for sidewalks anymore." Included in this colorfully illustrated how-to book are step-by-step instructions for making a frog fountain, garden "critters," concrete fossils, a masonry planter, a birdbath, and much more. Projects are divided into sections by skill levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. For those who are new to working with concrete, there are also chapters on concrete basics, forming and construction techniques, and surface treatments. (reviewed by South TX Library System)

This is a good book for learning how to make your own hypertufa and concrete ornaments, including how to make the molds or reinforcements. Some of the projects are of overwhelming size for a person who is interested in small things for their garden. I like the planters, but some of the other things in this book are way too modern and gaudy for me.

If you want to learn to do concrete ornaments for your yard, there is an incredible book still in print since 1904 called Concrete Pottery and Garden Furniture by Ralph C. Davison, which shows how to make garden ornaments such as columns, table, benches, planters in the Victorian and Greek styles--more my taste. This little book is packed with valuable photos and diagrams of how it's done.

I would recommend Davison's book over this one, but Warner's book still has some great recipes for hypertufa and unique ways to construct molds for concrete statuary.

Learn all about concrete and the incredible art that can be made from it, including detailed recipies and instructions for many uses such as lightweight forms that can be moved from place to place. Experiment with a new medium--concrete.

I am a true beginner working with concrete. I wanted information on making stepping stones and I found this information and a whole lot more! It was written for anyone to be able to understand and start projects immediately. You won't be dissappointed if you purchase this book. I love it!

this book is so easy to follow! i have made so many cool things!if you think concrete is just for sidewalks,think again.this book really opens up new horizons you had never thought about.

I'm new to small project concrete work and there is lots of info on the internet, but this book has filled in many gaps and has several recipes for mixes. Good illustrations/photos and so far this book has filled in pretty much what I needed. For anyone needing small section reinforcement search on "fiber mesh". many people use it and few know sources, try a local concrete supplier, you can get it in small bags , it's short fiberglass loose threads.
Lots of solid safety info too. don't ignore it.