How to Make Concrete Sculptures For Profit

By Jim White
Published on May 1, 1982
1 / 6

Watering the “green” urn to allow bonding to occur.
Watering the “green” urn to allow bonding to occur.
2 / 6

Glazing the urn… a handsome finished product.
Glazing the urn… a handsome finished product.
3 / 6

Filling the mold.
Filling the mold.
4 / 6

Mixing sand, cement, gravel, and water in a wheelbarrow economically!
Mixing sand, cement, gravel, and water in a wheelbarrow economically!
5 / 6

Assembling a planter mold.
Assembling a planter mold.
6 / 6

Displaying the completed planter.
Displaying the completed planter.

I’ve never suffered from a lack of creative ideas. In fact, you might say that I’ve got plenty of notions. Unfortunately, my brainstorms don’t often pay off. I knew my luck had changed, though, when I encountered a classified ad that began “Turn Concrete Into Gold.” The mere mention of the precious metal was enough to grab my interest. I read on, and discovered that the ad concerned materials and instructions to be used in making concrete lawn ornaments. “What the hey,” I said to myself, and ordered the information booklet.

At the time, I knew little about concrete other than that it was heavy and made fine patios and driveways. But I had noticed that it was composed of sand, gravel, cement and water. Sand — I figured — could be gathered free along riverbeds, gravel could be easily (and inexpensively) bought from local outlets and cement ran only about $7.00 for a 94-pound bag of Portland’s finest. Water was as close as the backyard hose, and it looked as though I might be able to start out in business without spending much money at all!

Adapting Plans

However, when my key to a fortune — a 77-page publication — arrived a short time later, I was rudely awakened. I’d been thinking of marketing handsome figurines, but the molds needed to produce ornamental statuary were more expensive than I’d dreamed they could be. So, I decided to follow a more practical route by starting with such useful objects as flower planters (which required less costly molds).

After studying the booklet, I chose two designs: a discreet Grecian urn, about 12 inches high, that required a four-piece mold (listing for $100) and a hexagonal stepping stone that could be poured in a two-part hinged mold ($115). To this $215 investment, I added $14 for two quarts of a specially formulated paint to cover the interior surfaces of the molds. (This proved to be a worthwhile expense: The paint protects the forms from constant contact with the abrasive concrete mix and with proper care — which includes cleaning and oiling after each use — I believe the lifetime of my molds can be extended indefinitely.)

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368