You will be totally inspired by the gorgeous examples shown in this colorful book! You can make pottery, planters, and many garden and decorative ornaments with the recipes given. And this book shows many artist's work of life size statuary both whimsical and stately that you can attempt too. (you would need to know how to make a chicken wire armature, but the basics of the plaster materials are the same.) Imagine making a Japanese "stone" garden Lantern or bird bath, for pennies instead of hundreds of dollars for a professionally carved version!
Publisher's 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! 8 1/2 X 10. all in color
144 pages Paperback
Pub Date: 05/2002 ISBN: 1-57990-318-5
When you order the Making concrete Garden Ornaments book you will get info sheets on mixing alternative, organic, and non-cement based recipes for making very low cost, non-fired pottery and stepping stones using lime and clay, and alternative fibers. #1078N.....$19.00..VIEW &ORDER HERE

Or you can set up a simple rainwater collection system from your garage roof for watering the garden this year. Simple gutters and large plastic barrels are all that are needed to get started. And building a simple solar oven, or cooker, or a little rocket stove are great practice for self sufficiency.

NEW DVD-NATURAL BUILDING AND A NEW SENSE OF THE EARTH Total running time: 54 minutes
Note from Charmaine- A great new DVD! SO much cob and earth building information- showing real "HOW TO", and the discussion with DIY builders is helpful to anyone with a lot of questions on techniques and ideas for codes, roofs, floors and wall details. View &Order DVD here...#10909...$25.50