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Like me, you probably
associate concrete with the building industry and large-scale,
outdoor projects. But it can also be used for making many
smaller items from planters to necklaces. Here’s how…
I had no idea that concrete was “in” as a craft
medium or that you could buy it in small quantities. I was
also surprised to read that it wasn’t difficult to mix
in a bucket, was suitable for small indoor projects or had
so many uses. It is even environmentally friendly being made
of natural materials – what’s not to love? You
don’t need many tools to get started, and as the introduction
states you can do it with “no extensive craft skills
or prior knowledge”. After a short section explaining
about mixing, safety and using molds the rest of the book
is filled with forty-five projects. These vary greatly from
the more obvious such as planters, house signs, doorstops
and ornaments to the surprising which include jewelry, candlesticks,
a soap dish, bowls, a wine cooler and cake stands. Each project
shows a large photograph of the finished item in situ plus
a list of what you need (in metric and imperial) and instructions.
Some projects have an interim photograph showing a stage but
mostly the instructions are in written format and fairly brief.
This is not a problem as mixing, molding etc are surprisingly
simple procedures so extensive expounding on steps is unnecessary.
At the back are templates, some the right size but others
need to be enlarged. This book was originally published in
Germany a couple of years ago but a brief hunt on the internet
showed that most of the items shown are available. It is fascinating
to see how something as ordinary as concrete can be made into
so many unexpected things that are attractive, modern and
useful.
If you cannot find a good range of ready-mix concrete locally
try www.searchpress.com for a list of suppliers.
UK stockists of Beton ready-mix concrete (as used in this
book) www.cc-craft.co.uk and www.amazon.co.uk
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