Concrete Crafts

I was really impressed with this book. The author starts with an introduction to cement and concrete, explaining what it is, how to mix it, and what aggregates are and why the ones chosen work well for the projects illustrated. Also covered is basic safety, such as using gloves and dust masks. The projects are great. Working step by step building the molds out of wood and sealing them so the concrete doesn't stick to the molds. The molds are made inexpensively out of plywood mostly. Power tools will help with making the molds. Helpful tips like covering your screw heads with tape to prevent concrete from getting in them are included. There is some repetition from project to project. I don't mind that, it means after reading the book, you could just go to the project you want to make and count on all the information being there for that project. The projects are arranged by difficulty, so you start with the very basics, building molds for, and making square pavers. My favorite project in the book is the game table with it's checkerboard glass inlay. The techniques illustrated and the projects give you an excellent foundation to start designing your own projects. I absolutely recommend this book. In fact, I did recommend it to my husband.

Although the book was more basic than I'd hoped and didn't meet my personal needs, I gave it 4 stars because it does have good step-by-step descriptions and, especially, *photographs* of the various projects and what's involved with making the necessary molds. So, I do recommend it as a very good basic/beginner's book that shows you the "how to" without the technicalities and, although I personally am looking for those technicalities, it *is* a good instructional book.

I have always wanted to work with concrete. The goal is to make a garden bench and maybe a small countertop. This book takes you through several small, workable projects and the step-by-step instructions are very clear. Lots of pictures, too, to help you see what the various mixtures should look like. Great explanations of types of concrete and why you would use one over the other. I am waiting until a warm spring day to create something. I especially like the bowls pictured on the cover. Good section on Hypertufa, another concrete-type project I've wanted to try for years!

If you want to know how to make big wooden forms for concrete items, then this is the book for you. I was disappointed that there were not more small concrete items. I did like the detailed steps for making sand molds.

The best of the craft-concrete books (of several) that I have read so far. There are recipes for different types of concrete for different uses, including one for hyper-tufa and one using broken colored glass for aggregate which, when ground after curing, renders a lovely stained glass look to a variety of projects. The first couple of of projects are for paving stones and include very explicit and detailed instructions, much better than most books even attempt to be. If you're looking for a great first book, don't miss this one!

Really well explained overview of creating great concrete pieces. Good pace, good explanation, really stimulates creativity. Narrow in scope as well.

The color directions are unusual compared to other books which I like. The designs aren’t quite as unusual, and basically like other books of the subject. I still say add it to your how-to books.

I received my book and began reading it at once. New to even the idea of mixing cement and working with it, I became comfortable with the thought of doing something in cement and applied the plans to make a tile. A little forethought and planning, well worth doing that, and I have my first tile. Coloring isn't as involved as I first thought of. Here I can say a local mason gave me a tip on how to save on colors... use grout powder! With that I shall continue to make tiles to make a walkway for my garden this summer. My comfort is increasing with each job. Buy it and enjoy it!