How to Make Sand-Cast Garden Ornaments
Creating sand molds for cast concrete garden ornaments is a lot of fun and yields ornaments with a rustic surface that seems weathered. Bird baths, stepping stones, wall copings, bench seats, wall ornaments and shallow planters are all good candidates for sand casting.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Misting Spray Bottles
- Concrete
- Garden Hoses
- Sand
- Shovels
- Carts Or Wheelbarrows
- Scrap Wood
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1
Make a simple wooden form or box that is large enough to accommodate the ornament that you'd like to make.
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2
Fill the box with mason's sand.
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3
Wet the mason's sand.
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4
Model the ornament that you'd like to make or find an existing element that you'd like to use as a model to create your mold. Choose a model with a bold, simple design since this method won't pick up a lot of intricate detail.
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5
Press the model into the sand.
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6
Remove the model gently from the sand, leaving an impression in the sand.
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7
Touch up any rough spots with your fingers.
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8
Keep the sand mold moist with a spray bottle so it doesn't crumble.
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9
Mix a batch of concrete. Experiment with the consistency. Strive for a balance of runniness - to allow the mixture to flow into the mold - and stiffness - to allow you to form the bottom.
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10
Fill the sand mold with concrete. Smooth the surface, creating the shape that you want for the bottom and sides of your ornament.
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11
Allow the concrete to set.
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12
Remove your ornament from the sand mold, brushing away any excess sand.
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Comments
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esatchel
Aug 16, 2009
This is something I would like to try. Thank you for posting this article. -
mosaicmom
Jun 20, 2008
Some great ideas. Sand is so plentiful and cheap to work with too. -
jant-d
Jun 20, 2007
Thanks, found just what I wanted on the first try! (How to make Sand-Cast Garden Ornaments) This site is awesome! Jan t-d (68 year old artist) -
jant-d
Jun 20, 2007
Thanks, found just what I wanted on the first try! (How to make Sand-Cast Garden Ornaments) This site is awesome! Jan t-d (68 year old artist) -
Nov 22, 2005
Use a plate for the base, and after pushing it firmly into the wet sand, use some pebbles collected from the beach to create a 'pebble' effect. Pour concrete and allow it to dry. Repeat as often as necessary for the flagstones.