Making Concrete Garden Ornaments by Sherri Warner Hunter

Living Mind
Home Improvement

Masonry Book

Making Concrete Garden Ornaments
by Sherri Warner Hunter

Paperback: 144 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.42 x 9.98 x 8.50
Publisher: Lark Books; (May 2002)
ISBN: 1579903185

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From Library Journal: Decorated concrete figures have recently moved out of the realm of eccentric folk art and roadside religious "grottoes" into mainstream yards and gardens. Here are projects by several designers for making mosaic stepping stones, birdbaths, carved planters, and art figures. The projects are grouped by skill level and offer step-by-step instructions on how to mix concrete, make molds, and embed mosaics. The finished products are heavy, year-round installations intended to stay where they are placed. This is a good, practical book for public library craft and garden collections.

Book Description: Strong, versatile, and amazingly easy to work with, concrete is the ideal medium for outdoor art and long-lasting garden projects. And it doesn't cost a lot or require special equipment; everything you need is right at the local home improvement center. A celebrated teacher has gathered the tried-and-true techniques used by sculptors and folk artists, and 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 embellishments, craft Garden Critter Stepping Stones, a Birdbath, Little Lady Fountain, and a jazzy border. Every project will open up new creative horizons!

Customer Reviews
creating with concrete: yard art, scupture and garden projec, September 10, 2002
Reviewer: gdalvis1 from beach town, nc usa
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!

Everything you need to know...., August 11, 2002
Reviewer: Patricia L. Diego from Stevensville, Mt. United States
What a great book.
It takes you through working in concrete step by step.
Very very well thought out.
And it shows you ideas that are artistic and wonderful.
Can't wait to try some of these ideas out.

Hopi bon, August 1, 2002
Reviewer: Martha Gillen from Willemstad, Curacao Netherlands Antilles
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.

You Won't Be Disappointed!, February 12, 2002
Reviewer: Jodie D. Barthlow from Georgia United States
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.

Absolutely Fabulous, January 4, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Atlanta, GA USA
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...

Wonderfully inspiring book, October 19, 2001
Reviewer: A reader
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!

Not just for girly girls!, October 5, 2001
Reviewer: chita from San Diego, CA USA
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 crappy 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.

Excellent ideas, July 24, 2001
Reviewer: Melissa from Hamilton, Ontario
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.

The Joy of Concrete, April 9, 2001
Reviewer: Charles Nelson from Nashville, TN USA
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

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