DIY cement crafts for the garden - all new items

by Alexey | Crafts Vintage For Friends Gifts For Loved Ones Decor For Men For Women Workshop Cheap Accessories | Sunday, March 30, 2014

Concrete as a material for handicrafts has gained enormous popularity and has already become a “trend” this year, not without reason, it is an inexpensive and fairly easy-to-use material. Why not do one of these projects? Enjoy...

What is cement and how to work with it

Cement does not require professional skills or additional complex tools.
It is one of the main materials used in construction work. When cement interacts with water, the result is a plastic mass, which after a certain time hardens and becomes a stone-like body. Strong and durable.

To work with such raw materials, you need to choose a special place (preferably a larger one). Then lay plastic film everywhere and secure it well with something. This is necessary so that the cement does not spoil other surfaces. After all, everyone knows: once this material thickens, it will be difficult to dispose of it.

What tools and additional materials will be required:

• In order to dilute cement, you need a container with a volume of at least 10 liters. You will need a metal container or utensils made of other durable materials.
• To make the cement mortar homogeneous, you will need a mixer. A drill is also suitable, but only its attachment must be a screw one.
• Water. This is one of the main components, since all tools will need to be constantly washed under high pressure of water.
• For your comfort and safety, you need to purchase small things such as rags, rubber gloves and an apron.
• Forms for figures, which can be found in construction stores, as well as in special shops that sell various goods for creativity.
• Spatulas (preferably of different sizes), they will be very useful in your future work.
• Primer. Will be needed to cover crafts after drying. It acts as the main material for the coloring composition.
• Sand. It should be small and free of unnecessary debris.
• Cement. In this case, we offer brands M-200 or M-300.

Preparing cement mortar

An example of what the mixture should look like

The most important thing is that the mixture should be a homogeneous mass with a consistency reminiscent of thick sour cream. It is this density that will be ideal for pouring cement into molds or using it for necessary crafts.

Procedure:

• Pour sand into a pre-prepared container, followed by cement. These components should be mixed thoroughly.
• Add water.

Proportions per 1 kg of cement:

• If you want to make your craft colored, then at this stage add water-dispersion color. Thanks to this component, the products no longer necessarily need to be painted.
• Mix thoroughly and bring to a homogeneous mass.

Sculptures made of fabric and cement

Cement is quickly absorbed into the fabric and thanks to this you can create in an instant, effortlessly, a beautiful vase and figurine from a cemented tablecloth, canvas bags, shoes, threads, toys, clothes.

Photos of garden crafts made from cement

Flowerpot

Working with cement is difficult, but this craft is just for those who have never encountered such a material as concrete. To make a flowerpot you will need the following consistency: cement + sand + water, two buckets and unnecessary towels.

Take a towel and dip it into the solution so that it thoroughly absorbs the mixture. The entire fabric must be covered with concrete mass.

Attention! Use rubber gloves to keep your hands safe.

Prepare a second bucket in advance, select the length of the towel and turn it over. Throw the towel over it.

An example of how to cover a bucket with a cloth

If suddenly the rag is larger than the bucket, then it can be cut, but this must be done at the initial stage, while the concrete is wet. Remember: how you arrange the fabric on the bucket has a huge impact on the final result. So use your imagination and arrange the fabric the way you like.

Let the future product dry, this will take a little more than a day.

Then take out a bucket, fill the concrete pot with soil and plant a flower. Ideas for such cement pots can be seen in the photo below.

Flowerpots can be made of any size and not only from fabric. To do this, prepare any two suitable containers, one larger and the other smaller. Insert one into the other, and fill the space remaining between them with cement mortar. After drying, you will get a suitable, attractive product for planting flowers.

If you wish, paint the craft or varnish it - this will make the pots look more beautiful. We invite you to look at photos of original ideas for such products.

Magnets

You can make souvenirs from cement - figurines with a magnet for attaching to a metal surface, for example, on a refrigerator. To form it, you can use children's sand molds, cookie and cupcake molds, or any toys (toy halves) that have cavities for filling the mass. After filling the mold, a magnetic plate is carefully pressed into the solution. It needs to be positioned parallel to the back wall of the figure. Acrylic paints are used to decorate the souvenir.

Ring stand

You can make an unusual jewelry stand out of concrete. The process is so simple that even those who have never worked with such material can handle it.

Master Class:

1. We print out the cone templates and cut out blanks from contact paper based on it, carefully securing the edges with packaging tape.
2. Take a paper plate or strong cardboard, cut out circles with a diameter of 2.5 cm in it and insert cones.
3. We mix a solution from concrete and water and fill the cones, first put a little concrete, shake it so that it flattens, then add more. The more often you shake the solution, the fewer air bubbles will remain in it.
4. Leave for 12 hours, then cut off the tape and unwind the cones.

Ring stands can be painted any color, you can add gold, paint splashes or polka dots, or stripes on top. Don't be afraid to show your imagination.

Country decor made of concrete

To make garden figures, not only cement, but also concrete can be used.

Advantages of concrete crafts

Concrete crafts have many advantages:

• plastic;
• resistance to precipitation;
• aesthetics;
• significant weight.

Let’s explain the last plus in more detail: the heaviness of concrete products allows you not to be afraid of them being stolen.

How to make swan figures

Beautiful white swans will become a real decoration of the site. An unnecessary plastic basin installed upside down is suitable as a frame base. The neck is made of intertwined metal wires, bent in the shape of the letter S. The wire is attached to the basin by drilling a hole in it.

The basin is coated with cement; rags and pieces of foam plastic are used to form the necessary bends. Form wings and tail. The wire for the neck is wrapped with rags soaked in cement, and cement is gradually applied on top, in thin layers, forming a neck of the required thickness and a head.

Decorative adjustments are made on the wings and tail, imitating plumage using scraping. The eyes and beak are outlined on the head. Leave the swan to dry for at least a week. After this, the product is sanded, primed, and painted.

Garbage can

An example of a practical craft is a homemade concrete urn. First of all, you need to put together a trapezoid from unnecessary scraps of board. Its dimensions must exceed the diameter of the container inserted into the middle of the mold. Next, a wood base should be nailed to the walls of the mold. The inner surface of the workpiece and the bucket should be lined with cellophane.

It is recommended to reinforce with fine mesh. Work with concrete must begin by making the bottom of the urn. Then, inserting a bucket in polyethylene into the mold and attaching burdock leaves to the walls, you need to slowly pour in the solution, not forgetting to level it if necessary.

The product must be covered with cellophane film for a week. After the concrete has hardened, the wooden walls must be dismantled and the leaves washed off. The surface of the urn should be sanded and coated with paint.

Crafts in the form of palms

The sculptures in the form of crossed palms look original. To create a composition:

• take rubber gloves;
• place the glove in a container;
• pull the edges of the glove over the edges of the container (this will facilitate the process of filling it with cement-sand mortar);
• pour the prepared solution inside;
• to give the fingers rigidity, a metal wire is inserted into them;
• after filling, remove the glove from the container, tie it, place it in a bowl and give it the desired shape;
• carry out similar actions with the 2nd glove;
• to connect the palms, make small cuts on the gloves at the junction and secure with a small amount of cement;
• With another bowl, press your palms on top to form a depression in the center of the composition;
• wait a few days, then cut the gloves with a knife and remove them;
• polish the gloves with sandpaper;
• apply a layer of primer.

Whether or not to paint the resulting sculpture is a matter of taste. You can pour soil extract into the center of your palms and plant succulents, pour water, and turn it into a birdbath.

How to make a flowerpot from cement and rags

A flowerpot made of rags and cement is one of the simple products. To work, you need square-shaped pieces of thick non-stretch fabric, plastic film, and poles for hanging products. Sequence of manufacturing steps:

1. Rags are placed one by one in the prepared cement mortar. They should be well saturated with cement on all sides.
2. Each piece of fabric is hung on a separate post. First, you need to attach a round or square board to the top of the post, which will help form the bottom.
3. Polyethylene is placed on the rags, which will ensure high-quality fixation of the cement.
   For a flowerpot, it is important to thoroughly saturate the thick fabric with cement.
4. After 2–3 days, you can remove the polyethylene and flowerpots from the poles and begin decorating the products.

Cement coasters

Cement stands have good stability. They can have different sizes and purposes. The following options are available:

1. Stand for stationery. It is made of several parts. The base is a rectangular plate 2-3 cm thick. The container for pens and pencils is a round or square cup. The base is poured into any box (plastic or metal) with the required wall height. To make the container, plastic cups of 2 sizes are used: one cup is inserted into the other, and the space between them is filled with solution. You can use a piece of plastic pipe with a diameter of at least 6-7 cm, into which a cylinder of a smaller diameter is inserted. After the solution has hardened, the temporary forms are removed and the parts are connected to each other.
2. Tablet stand. A popcorn cup is recommended as a mold. The stand is made by pouring the solution into this mold. A shelf (wooden or plastic plate) is fixed in the lower part at the required height for installing the tablet.

One of the simplest crafts is a stand for an unstable container. You can use it to place flowers in a tall glass or beaker. The craft looks like a round, rectangular or original plate with a hole in the center according to the size of the container. It is made by pouring the solution into a box with low sides. Before pouring, a container for flowers is installed vertically.

Ideas for the first time

If you have no experience working with the solution, you should start with simple crafts. The most accessible technology is the molding method, when cement mortar is poured into the desired shape. Interesting ideas for novice amateur landscape designers:

1. Balls. They are great for the garden and are very easy to make. Take an old rubber ball or camera and make a hole through which the solution is poured. During the process, it needs to be compacted with a rod. After the cement hardens, the shell is cut. The surface of the resulting ball can be sanded, coated with a primer and painted in the desired color.
2. Hemispheres. Various crafts are created from them: turtles, ladybugs, artificial boulders, etc. Bowls (plastic and metal) of different sizes, basins, and ball halves are suitable as forms. Another simple way is to dig a spherical hole in the sand and, covering its bottom with a polymer film, pour in the solution.
3. Simple mushrooms. They are made of 2 parts - legs and caps. To form the stem, a plastic bottle with a cut neck is used. A hat is a hemisphere for which you can use a bowl. The parts are connected using a metal rod. The leg is painted white, and the cap is painted yellow, red, orange or brown. Such crafts are well suited for the playground.

These methods are intended for the manufacture of monolithic crafts. Another direction for beginners is sculpting with cement around the base. To do this, just make an openwork ball:

1. Inflate a balloon of the desired size.
2. Wrap it with rope or strips of fabric previously soaked in the solution. The consistency of the mixture should not flow when wrapping. After drying, the ball is pierced and removed, and the openwork ball can be hung or placed on a plane.

Animal figurines

You can build a whole zoo out of cement in the garden. A few ideas:

1. Hippopotamus . The base can be made from large boulders or large basins, or simply pour a pile of gravel and cover it with a mounting mesh. The solution is applied in several layers. This craft looks good near a pond.
2. Hedgehog . The figurine is constructed from a boulder or a large piece of foam. In the second case, rounded shapes are formed, and then the mounting grid is laid. The solution is applied in several layers, the latter imitating a needle-like coating. To form the nose, take the neck of a plastic bottle.

A typical example of a frame figure can be considered the “Fish” craft. First, the wire frame is assembled. Thick steel wire outlines the outline of the fish, and then rounded sides are formed. Filler is stuffed inside the frame, and the mounting mesh is laid on top. The solution is applied with a spatula in 3-4 layers.

Cement allows you to create a variety of crafts for the garden and home. A novice master will be able to do simple figures. Complex designs require specific sculptor skills. A creative person is capable of realizing any idea. In the process of work, you need to take into account certain nuances and listen to the advice of experts, and then the summer cottage will become a cozy and favorite corner for family and guests.

Products with a frame

To create complex cement crafts, it is necessary to mount a frame of a certain shape and design. For this, steel wire, mesh, and various wooden, plastic or metal elements are used. In this way you can create concrete sculptures for the garden or vegetable garden and real fairytale castles.

Creating crafts has the following order:

The outline of the figure is made from durable elements (preferably flexible wire).

1. Light material (foam) is stuffed inside the frame. Sometimes various polymer containers are used (buckets, basins, bottles, etc.).
2. A mounting grid is laid on top of the frame.
3. The cement coating is formed from several layers, the first being a rough figure. It completely covers the frame.
4. The characteristic elements of the craft are highlighted.
5. Subsequent layers ensure the formation of external features. Moreover, each subsequent layer of solution emphasizes finer details.

The solution is applied using a spatula.

Tips and recommendations from experienced craftsmen

What do craftsmen and designers advise so that homemade figures decorate and not spoil the territory:

When decorating a site, use one style - do not combine characters from folk tales with classical-style sculptures or angels. Balance the size of the figures with the size of the plot - in small dachas large products look ridiculous. Don't chase quantity

An excess of figures distracts attention from the main thing - greenery, flowers, for which they go to the country. Select figures in the general style of the house, garden, and territory. They will enhance the overall impression. If you lack experience and imagination, start with the simplest figures, master one technique

Install the product and make sure it makes the area better, not worse.

Use common sense and moderation. When making figures from cheap materials (bottles, old tires), carefully process and paint the products with good paint, otherwise they will look cheap and will only spoil the overall impression of the site.

Sconces and lamps

Concrete lamps are great for modern interiors and also fit well into loft and industrial designs. The heterogeneous texture of the material gives the products a brutality, a certain unkemptness that attracts the eye. Experiments with lamp shapes and sizes can be endless. The symbiosis of concrete and silicone, wood, and metal looks even more unusual.

Mushroom craft made from cement

Prepare the following materials: an old rubber ball (for the hat), a plastic bottle (this will make a leg), a steel rod (the fasteners will be made from it).

Cut the ball in half. Place one half in a bucket of sand and pour cement into it. Cut off the bottom and neck of the bottle. Insert the blank into the center of the cement-filled half of the ball. The immersion should be 1-2 cm.

Use a steel rod to connect both parts of the mushroom and pour the cement-sand mixture inside the bottle. Leave the product until completely hardened. Then remove the bottle and ball. After a couple of days, you can paint the mushroom and start decorating it.

Another interesting idea is a light openwork ball. To create it you will need a regular balloon, rope and cement. The ball must be inflated to the desired size and wrapped with a rope soaked in a cement mixture. After the craft has dried, the ball must be removed by bursting it. Next is decoration.

Using the same technology, you can make elegant lanterns for the garden or containers for flowers. In this case, a rope is not needed. You just need to add a little gypsum to the cement.

One of the most popular types of cement crafts for cottage and garden decoration are garden gnomes. It is not difficult to make such objects of landscape architecture. You will need cement mortar, a steel rod, old stockings and rope.

You need to pour the cement mixture into the stocking by inserting a metal rod into it. Use a rope to form a nose, beard and legs. Hang by the cap and leave to dry.

The most original DIY craft is a fountain made of leaves. To make a cement leaf, you will need a fairly large leaf from a plant. With its help, we will form its cement copy. Let it dry. Then we work it out in more detail and paint it. We build a beautiful fountain from sheets of different sizes that will decorate your local area.

If you have difficulties in making cement products yourself, then you can purchase ready-made handmade cement crafts in a specialized store or order them from a workshop.

Features of creating a sculpture from concrete

Work should begin with the manufacture of a steel frame - it is subsequently supposed to be covered with mortar. To thicken individual parts, you need to wrap a mounting mesh or metal wire around the base.

There is another method - molding. Do-it-yourself concrete crafts are made by pouring the mixture into special molds. As soon as the solution has hardened, the half-pieces are removed and glued together.

The finished product is sanded and, if desired, painted. Modern paints make it possible to imitate other materials: stone, wood, etc. Finally, the sculpture is coated with an anti-graffite and anti-corrosion coating.

If you do not have the skills to handle cement, be prepared for the fact that you may not be able to make a concrete craft for your dacha with your own hands right away. Therefore, experienced craftsmen advise beginners to start with simple decor.

Other ideas

If you have mastered the production of such figures, then you can also expand the range of materials and skills used to create:

1. Frame sculptures. Using reinforcement (frame), you can make an angel, a dog or any object. In this case, cement is applied directly to the frame of the composition, and a construction mesh is used to ensure that the finished decorative element remains hollow.
2. "Drowning" sculptures. Unusual and sometimes frightening figures, as if crawling out of the ground, are made from gypsum, which is diluted with water until a solution has the consistency of sour cream. The finished composition is poured into a clay mold and left to dry for a day at a temperature of about +15 degrees.

In your garden plot you can create very believable and creative figures from plaster

Mosaic figures. The finished cement turtle or mushroom can be decorated with colored mosaics, which are laid directly on the raw mixture.

In the same way, you can make creative trash cans for your summer cottage, decorate the sidewalk, and much more.

Swan

The owner of a country plot will be interested in the figure of a swan, which can be used for planting flowers. It is made as follows:

1. The basis is an unnecessary plastic basin. It is covered with mortar outside and inside.
2. On the outside, several layers are applied with the gradual formation of rounded sides and plumage.
3. For the neck, you can use a plastic pipe with a characteristic bend. When forming the head and wings, you need to remember modeling from plasticine, but instead use a thick cement mixture.

How to create original crafts for the garden with your own hands

To begin with, they determine the type of structures, their sizes and location, as well as the color scheme. Decorative sculptures for a garden or cottage can be of several types: functional (for planting vegetation), aesthetic (figurines for the garden). The first include all kinds of concrete flower pots, in which you can place both tall and tiny plants.

Two main types of garden decor made from concrete

They can have a geometric or abstract shape, torn edges or rounded contours. Do not doubt your own abilities when considering an option with animalistic motifs.

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Necessary equipment for creativity

To get started, you will need a simple set of materials. In addition to the cement and water itself, concrete decor is created in the presence of:

• sand (preferably 1-2 bags) in a ratio of 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 with cement for the appropriate consistency of the solution;
• tile adhesive residues for better adhesion of the material;
• old container for creating a concrete mixture;
• finishing primers;
• sandpaper for polishing;
• plaster mesh for fixation;
• a piece of polyethylene corresponding to the size of the product for drying cover;
• metal rods, inflatable balls, ropes, plastic containers and other auxiliary means for forms (depending on the type of future masterpiece and the author’s imagination).

For the manufacture of simple structures, this list is reduced significantly. Concrete can be used with medium-fraction pebbles or crushed stone to create the base of a figure for a summer residence and monolithic volumetric silhouettes. You will also need a cement dye or a special varnish to give it an aesthetically attractive appearance, although a natural look may suit a certain style of the site.

Concrete planters with succulents

Don’t forget, garden products made with your own hands from concrete need several days to dry. It is also possible to create decor from cement in stages. Therefore, the garden owner needs to allocate about a week for his masterpieces. For many summer residents, this issue is important, since they do not permanently live on their plots.

What tools and materials will be needed

To work with cement you will need the following tools and materials:

Metal container. Its volume should not be less than 10 liters. The solution will be diluted in it. You can use a basin, a large bucket, a tank.

• Drill with screw mixer attachment, construction mixer for preparing mortar with a volume of more than 5 liters. Trowel, trowel for preparing a smaller volume of cement mixture.
• Construction plaster spatulas of different sizes, paint scraper, sandpaper. With their help, it will be possible to level the surface of the manufactured craft and remove excess cement.
• Apron, rubber gloves, wet wipes, dry, clean rag. These items will make work more comfortable and protect clothes and hands from contamination.
• Waterproof paint (regular or aerosol) for exterior use, primer (as a base for paint), brush. If desired, you can paint the resulting products (this is not a prerequisite, this is done only to obtain brighter things).
• Molds and frames for making figures. They can be very different - wood, plastic, metal, silicone, rubber. Flower pots, flowerpots, old boots, pieces of fabric, tires, bottles and much more are suitable.

To make your work easier, you can first make a drawing or sample of the planned craft.

Preparation of materials and tools

Working with mixing, pouring, drying and decorating concrete requires a well-organized work area. As a rule, a garage, spacious barn or other equipped room is used for such a purpose.

Be sure to take care with a high-quality hood and personal protective equipment (cement dust can cause irritation to the mucous membrane of the eyes and respiratory tract).

The following set will also be useful in your work:

• Containers of sufficient volume for mixing concrete.
• Any auxiliary tool for high-quality mixing of the working mass.
• Forms for pouring, the preparation of which gives the master the most trouble.
• Varnish, primer, paint for decorating finished products, as well as protecting them from high humidity and high temperatures.

Sandpaper and a file will allow you to quickly remove all unevenness and roughness on the surface of the product.

Garden decorations

Cement crafts are very popular in garden landscaping. You can make a fountain from concrete leaves. It is manufactured in the following order:

1. A plastic pipe is installed to raise water to a height of 70-100 cm.
2. A stencil of a large leaf is made or a natural leaf of a large size plant is selected.
3. A hole 4-5 cm deep is cut out in sand or soil using a stencil. The bottom is formed in the form of a concave surface and compacted. A stencil is placed on it.
4. A reinforcing frame is made from wire, which simultaneously imitates the veins of a leaf.
5. The solution is poured to form a concave surface on top and veins along the wires of the frame.
6. At the installation site of the structure, wooden posts of different heights are mounted vertically so that they form a cascade for the water flow.
7. Concrete leaves are fixed on wooden posts.

To give the finished look, plants and flowers are planted around the fountain and a stone border is laid.

Wall decorations

Cement figures can be used to decorate any external or internal wall of the house. The photo shows a beautiful wall craft with stone decor. To make the face, a hemispherical blank of cement is formed. A recess for it can be dug in the sand, which allows you to give the desired configuration and make a nose. Without waiting for complete hardening, the workpiece must be removed and the remaining details of the face cut out. If you don’t have artistic skills, you can use a ready-made masquerade mask with a convex shape. The solution is poured into it from the inside. The basis for the entire craft is a cement plate 1.5-2 cm thick. The “face” is fixed on it, and pebbles of different sizes and shapes are placed around it and covered with paint.

How and with what to paint a sculpture

Selection of paint, brushes, etc.

To decorate garden figurines, it is better to choose paints intended for outdoor use. To paint the figurine, you can use brushes or a spray gun; be sure to apply the paint in two layers. If the drawing is complex, be sure to draw all the details with a simple pencil.

The varnish will make the figure bright and protect it from harmful influences. It is better to use a silicone or polyurethane based coating. Apply the second layer only after the first layer has completely dried.

How to apply paint correctly

In order for the paint to lay evenly on the surface, it must first be primed. The color is chosen depending on the image and purpose of the figurine. You can make it plain white, bronze, gold or paint it in bright colors. Painting occurs with brushes of different sizes, all elements in turn. The size of the brushes decreases during the painting process.

Step-by-step instruction

The technology for making crafts depends on the chosen method, size and complexity. The work widely uses combinations with other materials (wood, stone, metal), as well as available materials for the base. Old children's toys, disposable plastic and old dishes, wooden blanks, etc. are used.

How to care for a garden sculpture

In order for the garden sculptures created with your own hands, with such difficulty and dedication, to last for more than one season and not fall into disrepair, they require care. After all, when decorating a garden, they are exposed to a full range of weather influences, such as heat and frost, rain and wind. Sudden changes in temperature and exposure to dust can completely destroy them.

Of course, figures made from synthetic materials

, are less exposed. But careful treatment and timely care are required for all garden decorations, without exception: polymer, ceramic, plaster, concrete, wood. First of all, this is the removal of dust and any kind of contaminants.

Resin figures

It is enough to rinse it with water from a hose once a month and let it dry thoroughly. Volumetric garden decor that does not have recesses does not need special protection. Park figures with recesses must be covered for the winter to avoid accumulation of liquid.

Concrete sculptures,

Despite the massiveness and apparent strength, they need care:

• regular cleaning;
• lubricated with a protective composition containing natural wax;
• covering for the winter with non-woven material.

Wooden sculptures

They are afraid of moisture, so caring for them involves gently wiping them with slightly moistened napkins. The main thing is to ensure that the integrity of the coating is maintained: through a small scratch, water can get inside, which can destroy the figurine.

Gypsum specimens

You can clean it with special preparations for cleaning pores, or you can prepare a mask yourself from starch and water. It is necessary to protect from water with compounds containing wax solutions to create a moisture-resistant film. Ceramic decor is recommended to be stored indoors in winter due to its fragility.

Important Tips:

Coating with varnish or any glossy coating to protect against external influences should be done with caution, as this may interfere with their realism. Do not use synthetic detergents for washing. Garden statues can only be weighed down with sand; all other materials, such as plaster, concrete, cement, will tear the figure apart. Treat at the beginning of the season with anti-fungal agents.

Ladybug made of cement

You can make a ladybug out of cement with your own hands. The process is simple and suitable for beginners. Such a figure for the garden will delight both adults and children.

Master Class:

In a container, mix 3 parts sand and 1 part cement. Add water little by little and mix the solution.

On a work surface covered with film, we lay out blanks from the solution that will resemble round loaves of bread.

Using a stick, we squeeze out the outline of the head and wings on the blanks.

We make antennae from thick fishing line and immediately insert them into the solution, and also slightly deepen the contour of the head.

Cover the pieces with film and leave for 2-3 days.

Once the products are completely dry, we begin painting.

We coat the finished figures with varnish.

If, after complete hardening, the figures have roughness, then they need to be cleaned with sandpaper. Also, before painting, it is advisable to coat the product with a primer for better adhesion of the paint to the base.

Garden decor

DIY cement garden crafts are popular among modern summer residents. The picturesque fly agaric mushrooms look especially original. The instructions for their manufacture are as follows:

1. Press a suitable container (bowl or basin) into the sand cushion.
2. Pour the prepared cement into it, inserting the reinforcement in the center.
3. Cut the plastic bottle, leaving a cylindrical part with a neck.
4. Pass a steel rod through the future mushroom stem, fixing it in a vertical position.
5. Fill the workpiece with the solution.

Once the decorative product has hardened, it should be removed from the mold, sanded, primed and painted.

An unusual idea is the “Vase” craft made from cement and rags. It can be performed in several variations:

Note!

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• round section;
• rectangular configuration;
• free form.

First, you need to prepare the solution by mixing cement and gypsum in proportions of 4 to 2. Add as much water as needed to obtain a creamy consistency.

To make a round vase, you need to hang a cloth soaked in a cement-gypsum mixture on an inverted base of the appropriate shape, after covering it with plastic film.

For greater strength, it is recommended to make 3 to 4 layers of textile. The finished item will look good if you tie the still damp fabric with a rope and trim the edges.

A rectangular craft made of plaster and cement for the garden is created using a similar technology. The only difference is that the fabric soaked in the solution is hung on a rectangular form.

After hardening, the base is removed, and the workpiece is moistened and compacted with a liquid cement mixture. The next mandatory step is trimming the edges and sides of the flowerpot.

It is also recommended to make drainage holes in the bottom. Finally, experts advise covering the pots with paint and varnish. Cement flowers and leaves can also serve as decoration.

Such elements should be glued with a hot glue solution. After the decoration is completed, the product is filled with soil and succulents are planted.

Step by step process

To begin with, it must be said that this process itself is quite simple, but at its preparatory stage it is necessary to put in a lot of effort and certain skills. Considering this description of how to create figurines for the garden with your own hands from concrete, you need to start from the stage of making a sketch ().

Form

First of all, it is necessary to create a sketch of the future structure. It must fully display all the details of the product and their colors.

It is worth noting that professional craftsmen recommend not using thin elements or areas that are very distant from the main trunk of the structure when designing figures. The fact is that when creating garden figures from concrete with your own hands, it will be very difficult to ensure that they are evenly and even completely filled with the solution, even when using a vibrating table or other available means.

It is worth saying in advance that there are many ways to create a mold for subsequent casting. It can be made from earth, clay, wood, metal and even silicone. At the same time, professionals try to work with materials that can be used several times so that their price is paid off by productivity

It is important to say that the form can be collapsible or consist of two halves. At the same time, to create it, it is best to have artistic skills related to the selected material or have a ready-made model for printing

Considering such difficulties, many craftsmen prefer to purchase ready-made forms for concrete figures, which have recently been very often sold on the building materials markets.

Fill

Typically, the production of concrete figures begins with placing the required amount of reinforcement in the mold ().

It is worth mentioning that some types of such products do not contain metal parts, but this only applies to small structures.

• In order to avoid diamond drilling of holes in concrete later, it is worth thinking in advance about the subsequent fastening of the figurine to the surface and installing it before casting.
• Next, make a solution of cement and sand. At the same time, professional craftsmen recommend creating it in proportions of 3 to 1 with the addition of a plasticizer. You can also use special formulations that are designed specifically for these purposes.

The further pouring process depends only on the design of the mold. In this case, compacting the solution can be done either with your own hands using a stick or on a vibrating table. If the form consists of two halves, which are poured separately, then it is then combined and the joints are rubbed.

Treatment

After the product has hardened, it must be removed from the mold and trimmed off any residue or spills. In this case, on complex figures it may be necessary to cut reinforced concrete with diamond wheels.

• Next, the structure is treated with a large amount of primer, applying it in layers. This is done in order to reduce the absorbency of the material and increase its adhesion.
• At the final stage, the figures are painted and placed in their place, which it is also advisable to prepare in advance.

Sidewalk decorations

When pouring a concrete path on the site, you can make cement decorations. One option is to make shaped paving slabs from concrete. Such elements are laid as an insert into a concrete path. Decorations in the shape of leaves look very beautiful. The tiles are made similarly to the leaves for a garden fountain. The thickness is at least 5-6 cm. The solution is prepared with the addition of dye. This technology allows you to create multi-colored products that will not shuffle when you walk on them. When making a path, the crafts are first laid according to the developed scheme, then the general pouring of concrete is carried out.

What to focus on

In stores, prices for plaster figurines sometimes reach several tens of thousands of rubles. However, the cost of material for an entire army of funny gnomes or mushrooms will barely reach several thousand.

To save money on purchasing additional equipment or travel, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with new ideas for garden crafts.

Today the figures can be divided into several components:

• Stands - there can be funny turtles on which small pots of flowers are comfortably placed.
• To decorate a pond, these can be clay frogs or other inhabitants.
• For decorating beds - for example, gnomes, which do a good job of scaring away birds and animals.
• For lighting, in tandem with lighting you can create a fabulous atmosphere.

You can use all options, but experts recommend not to overdo it. To make everything look harmonious, it is advisable to follow the general style.

Stands for knives

By combining cold concrete and warm wood, you can create an incredibly stylish and useful item for every housewife. A rectangular or round stand will fit into any kitchen interior, because it can be painted in a suitable color.

As you can see, the gloom and stinginess of concrete cannot become an obstacle to imagination. A minimum of thought and desire is enough to make designer items with your own hands that will decorate every home.