Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden: Making Pots, Planters, Birdbaths, Sculpture & More Paperback – March 6, 2012

Loved this book. Loaned it to a friend and never got it back. Guess they liked it too

This has been one of the most enjoyable creative books I have purchased in a long time. I orginally got it for my business which is moving into concrete molding and casting. I knew my mom would thoroughly enjoy it and immediately bought a copy for her as an Amazon gift. She LOVES it and immediately began playing with concrete using some of her ideas for her desert garden. So thinking about it...I decided to buy my own copy! Next summer I plan on doing several of the creative ideas in it, but with my own artistic twist. I can't wait!So purchase a copy and get ready to play in concrete knowing all the details necessary to have a successful, artistic outcome!Many years have past since I wrote this review...yet I had to add more after seeing what my mother created based off of ideas from this book. She created several fan and leaf-shaped pieces ensuring that the base has a moderate slant serving as a drain system due to the rare monsoon rainwater that drips off her adobe-style home in Arizona. Using a water-proofing medium provided a sealant allowing these pieces to survive not only the water, but the extreme 100 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures that are often a daily occurrence in the summer. These are not only decorative but extremely functional. Other items she made based off of the book are also incredible and useful. Definitely a great purchase for DIY projects!

OK... let me start off by saying I don't usually take the time to do this sort of thing---writing reviews. This book deserves some of my time tho. I saw a gal on a craft show one morning making the leaf stone. I was fascinated to say the least. Then when I was looking for a book on mosaics for another project I stumbled upon this book by accident. I remembered the show and the beautiful leaf imprint. I ended up buying both of them. I'm very happy I did. There is tons of projects in this affordable craft book to keep me busy for a long time. Many color pics too with detailed instructions and ideas on how to improvise for materials. I really don't see how anyone that is a passionate crafter wouldn't love this book. Several of my friends already want to borrow it... but I'm afraid they'll be waiting for a long time. >grin<Cheers!Darcy

This book contained a lot of information and was more than I was looking for. I would say that this book is directed more towards concrete art projects rather than diy/crafty projects. It covers everything up to and including large concrete sculptures. Needless to say it is more than I need, but it is good to have the information nonetheless.Most of the projects included aren't really my style, but the techniques could be easily adapted to fit any style.

I don't really care much at all for most of the modern concrete art in this book, but I still love this book for the ideas it gives me to make my own designs and also explains how to do it.I do a lot of sculpting in clay and am also very much into gardening, and have now found a new medium for making beautiful ornaments, planters, furniture for my garden and also things I can make as gifts using concrete mixtures. The best part of this book for me is how it demonstrates how to create various forms and armatures to allow your ideas to become real. The photographs are plentiful and give you a very clear idea of how it's done.I have Sherri Hunter's first book on Creating With Concrete, but I like this one even more. Great fun book!

And create things based on ideas from this book! The author is an accomplished artist utilizing concrete in many forms. Most of the pictures in the book are tributes to her accomplishments, and she has provided quite a variety of projects to support her processes. The book describes step-by-step accounts of many, many different styles of concrete work. It also provides numerous concrete recipes depending on the use and region for climate exposure. Altogether, it is not cumbersome yet is still comprehensive in coverage.I would like to see Ms Warner Hunter create a how-to book on creating hypertufa fairy houses, which is my ultimate goal in concrete art. I would also like to know if she has ever discovered a sealant capable of protecting exterior projects in harsh Minnesota winters so some of the heavier projects survive.

Tried one of the projects for making the leaf on the cover but it did not come out well and fell apart. I do not know what was wrong but probably something that I did. The book is inspiring with its step-by-step pictures.

I was a little worried when I received the book: Glossy pages full of colored photographs often suggest that the contents may be rather light on substance. Not so here! The author filled the book with solid information and helpful hints for anyone who has never worked with concrete, in fact the contents goes far beyond the beginner stage. I bought the book to help me with building bases for my sundials but the book has inspired me to try some other projects. Highly recommended!