Make Amazing Concrete Crafts without buying molds

Concrete crafting is a versatile and budget-friendly way to create unique home and garden decor. If you’re looking to dive into concrete projects without the need to purchase molds, you’re in luck! Here is a huge collection of DIY tutorials of how to make amazing concrete crafts without buying molds.

Here are whole bunch of my innovative ideas that utilize everyday items as molds or require no molds at all. I’ll warn you, it is a long list!

Use Nature as a mold

Natural botanical elements can make the most amazing forms to cast concrete! Leaves, flowers & plants can be used as a relief impression or as a simple mold. These Leaf bowls have imprints on both sides!

These orbs are made with a strong concrete that allows simple building with the use of nature’s own sculptures! There really is no limit to the originality possible from a world of specimens!

If you would like to capture your own elements to be able to create multiples making a silicone mold is quite simple. I could look at the details in this Botanical concrete relief forever!

My trick for ease and simplicity is to use a commercial mix. These stepping stones made with Sand topping mix have held durable & well for over 15 years without applying any seal. !

Fabric works as a Sculpture Material

Fabric can be impregnated with cement to cast almost any shape. Old fabric or even clothes can become a lasting piece of concrete art! How cute are these Jean Planters?!

There’s so many combinations! Can you see the burlap in these cast bowls with botanical accents?!

Everyone has some old fabric that can be used for the concrete draping technique. The bonus is that it is lightweight and very textural; great for these Mushrooms!

Have you ever heard of Faux Bois? This is a concrete version of ‘fake wood’ that can be quite organic in nature. You will not believe what is inside this Faux Bois Concrete Chair!

Concrete Orbs are much fun to make using easily found forms such as balls or balloons. They are lightweight and require little mix. Yarn or fabric makes these great transparent Concrete Garden Orbs. Larger balls help make Giant Concrete orbs made of a special strong mix.

Add Concrete to a Shape;

If you use a concrete mix that does not shrink then there are extra possibilities! This Upcycled lamp got a whole new life with the addition of a layer of concrete and gold leaf.

Concrete Planters Using Recycled Containers

Design unique planters by repurposing household items like plastic containers, yogurt cups, or cardboard boxes as molds. Pour your basic concrete mix into your chosen container, insert a smaller container inside to create space for the plant, and let it set. Once cured, remove the containers to unveil your custom planter.

Using a fast-set Concrete mix that is thick enough to sculpt almost any object can become a mold.

Who likes to use garbage as a mold?! Quick setting type of mix for concrete allows no need for an inner mold in this technique of pouring at a thicker consistency. Always read manufacturer’s instructions for specifics.

That bag from the coffee beans works wonderfully as a mold for a Bag Planter! I would hate the idea of always ending up with the same outcome that you get from a commercial mold.

Add some Bling:

Sometimes it isn’t about the form but about shape and texture! Nature’s geodes provide quite the inspiration for this fun flat-casting DIY Giant Concrete Geode!

Be Absolutely Unique!

A trip to the dentist spurred this idea; using my daughter’s hands to cast some concrete! Life Casting makes for another way to capture great form!

These projects don’t require big shovels, big mess or fancy ingredients! Most of my designs & techniques just use a basic mixing containers, utensils, scoop, spoons, gloves & concrete dust mask. Commercial cement mixtures make diy concrete crafts quite easy. Go ahead and make amazing concrete crafts without buying molds.