| Is it concrete? Or is it cement? Have you ever | | | | this way. |
| wondered which is which? Let me clarify this | | | | * Now pour your concrete mix into the molds and |
| before we go on to talk about great things you | | | | shake the molds just a little to break up any air |
| can make with concrete stone molds. Cement, | | | | bubbles. |
| which has been around for centuries, is simply the | | | | * Finally, let the filled molds sit overnight or a day |
| dry powder that's used to bind mixes of minerals | | | | or two. Then, flip the molds over and pop out |
| together. The most important use of cement is | | | | your creations. |
| to make concrete. When you mix cement with | | | | Well, maybe it's a little more complicated than |
| water and coarse minerals like granite, gravel, or | | | | that, but not much. The kits you can buy come |
| sand a chemical reaction occurs that bonds all the | | | | with detailed instructions. Most kits include the |
| ingredients together into a stone-like material that | | | | molds, mold release (a fancy version of vegetable |
| we call concrete. | | | | oil), concrete colorant, fortifier to make your |
| Concrete is the most commonly used man-made | | | | stones stronger, and sealer. If you look at a |
| material in the entire world. So it should be no | | | | stone wall made from one of these kits, the |
| surprise to learn that you use concrete to make | | | | colors and textures are so natural you would think |
| paving stones, bricks, and tiles. It's so simple | | | | the stones came from a quarry. You can make |
| anyone can do it. You start with concrete stone | | | | concrete pavers from a kit and use them for a |
| molds in the size and shape you want and add | | | | driveway, a patio, a garden path, whatever. It will |
| cement or plaster. | | | | cost you a small fraction of what it would cost to |
| It's really simple. Here's what you do: | | | | buy the pavers, and they will look great and last a |
| * First you buy the molds you want and the | | | | long time. |
| supplies. Hardware stores or even craft stores | | | | You can also make purely decorative stones, |
| may have them, but it's usually less expensive to | | | | plaques and tiles. Like a Celtic design tile or a coat |
| by them online. | | | | of arms paver, or a lion crest plaque. You can |
| * Then you grease the molds with a light | | | | even make stones that look like they came right |
| vegetable oil. | | | | off a castle. |
| * Next get a bucket and a shovel and mix a bag | | | | Once you start thinking of all the possibilities, well, |
| of premix concrete with water. The instructions | | | | it's endless. You can use molds to manufacture |
| will tell you how much you need. This is the time | | | | edging your garden or tiles for a new floor. It's |
| to add color to the concrete, unless you want it | | | | really kind of fun, and very rewarding. And, like I |
| to be gray. Some people try to paint the | | | | said, the kits come with complete do-it-yourself |
| concrete later, but it works much better to do it | | | | instructions. |