Here is an easy 4 step guide to doing your own garden stepping stone. It’s so easy, I’m even going to do a video of myself making one, so be on the lookout for that link coming soon.
Step 1. Gather your supplies and prep the work area. You are going to want to protect the area from damage with the concrete mix and paint, etc… so use newspaper, painter cloth or plastic, plastic shower curtain, etc… Use plastic or gardening gloves, goggles if you think you need them, get a bucket you don’t mind getting messed up, a wooden spoon or stick of some sort and the molds you plan to use.
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| Personalize them! They make great gifts! |
Circular plastic planter covers are super easy to use but you can use different things or different shapes other than circles, it’s up to your imagination; I would just caution to make sure it’s something that won’t stick to the concrete when it dries or plan on using cooking spray or petroleum jelly rather liberally to prevent the sticking…
Step 2. Mix concrete or cement and set your mold. Try 5 part concrete to 1 part water. (There is concrete dye, which is optional and depends on your design if you need it.) It should be the consistency of think brownie batter. Fill mold half way, screen or hardware cloth or more securely set the mold, continue to fill mold all the way. Gently tap to remove air bubbles and let sit for ½ hour ot an hour before you start decorating…
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| You're only limited by your imagination! |
Step 3. Have an idea of what you want to do before you mix concrete and fill mold as you will not have much time to decide at this point. Decorate as you like. Wait to paint until dry.
Step 4. Let sit for another 2 to 3 days undisturbed before popping out of mold. Paint as you like, which is optional and depends on your design, use clear acrylic sealer after paint.
FYI: stepping stone kits are available at many craft shops but I found them to be quite expensive and the process is really easy to do on your own.
Supplies:
Mold; plastic planter cover, or whatever you would like to use
Plastic or gardening gloves
Newspaper or painter cloth or protectors
Petroleum jelly or cooking spray
Concrete or cement mix; quikrete
Wooden spoon or stick
Screen or hardware cloth
Damp ray
Old bucket
Old measuring cup
Decorations; pebbles or stones, shells, beads, marbles, keys, stained glass, pictures/photos, leafs, stencils, popsicles sticks/toothpicks, cookie cutters
Paint; outdoor paint, concrete dye (optional), clear acrylic sealer
