Transform your home with unique, handcrafted concrete creations! You might be surprised to learn that creating stunning concrete objects for your home is almost as easy as making ice cubes. With a simple silicone ice cube mold, you can unleash your creativity and craft a wide range of useful and decorative items. Follow our step-by-step guide to get started on your concrete crafting journey!
The six-cube tray used for these projects is incredibly convenient. Forget about constructing complicated boxes or cube forms – the mold does all the work for you! The best part is that the finished pieces come out of the mold with a remarkably smooth, polished surface, resembling glass-cast objects.
Our preferred material for these projects is ShapeCrete, and for good reason. Unlike ordinary concrete, ShapeCrete doesn’t contain chunky aggregates or rocks in the mix. Yet, it boasts exceptional strength and durability, with a compressive strength of 10,000 psi – far exceeding what you’ll need for these small cube projects.
ShapeCrete’s versatility allows you to tailor the mix to suit your specific needs. You can create a clay-like consistency for hand-sculpting or mix it to a pourable “casting” consistency by simply adding more water. When used as a casting mix, ShapeCrete minimizes air bubbles, resulting in a dense, flawless surface.
Ready to get inspired? Here are a few easy DIY concrete projects to spark your creativity!
Materials You’ll Need
- Silicone Ice Cube Tray (approximately 1-3/4” cubes)
- 3 lbs. ShapeCrete Mix
- Rubber Gloves
- Dust Mask
- Eye Protection
- Mixing Tub
- Mixing Stick or Trowel
- Water
How to Prepare a ShapeCrete Casting Mix
Start by measuring out three pounds of ShapeCrete mix. Add about 1/2 cup of water to your mixing tub, then gradually pour in the ShapeCrete. Add water in small increments, blending with a trowel or mixing stick as you go. Continue mixing and adding small amounts of water until the mix reaches a fluid consistency. Be careful not to add too much water, as this can weaken the final product. The mix should flow smoothly off the trowel when scooped. For visual guidance, check out the How-To Make a Casting Mix video for additional tips and tricks.
DIY Concrete Candlestick Holder
Materials
- 3/4” Copper Pipe End Cap
- Copper Cut Tacks
- 3/16” Drill Bit
- Cordless Drill
- Duct Tape
- Sandpaper
- Modeling Clay
Begin by drilling a hole in the bottom of the copper pipe end cap. Secure a copper cut tack in the hole with duct tape. This tack will help keep your candle upright and stable within the holder.
Use sandpaper to smooth the rim of the end cap, creating a flat, even edge. Fill the cap with modeling clay, then carefully attach it to the bottom of one of the ice cube mold cavities. Make sure it’s centered.
Pour the ShapeCrete mix into the mold cavity, filling it up to the edge of the copper pipe. Allow the concrete cube to cure for at least 48 hours. Once cured, carefully remove the cube from the tray. Voila! You’ve created a stylish concrete candlestick holder. Customize the surface to your liking for a personalized touch. These make fantastic hostess gifts, especially if you personalize them with a monogram!
DIY Tiny Concrete Cube Planter
Materials
- Styrofoam
- Clear Packing Tape
- Spray Adhesive
- Small Masonry Bit
- Cordless Drill
Cut a 1-1/2″ cube from styrofoam. Wrap the sides with clear packing tape, folding the tape over the edges like wrapping a gift. Spray one of the open sides with spray adhesive and carefully attach it to the bottom of an ice cube mold cavity, ensuring it is centered. This is essential because the planter walls will be quite thin, and an off-center knockout can lead to cracking. Using a screw to hold the foam in place while positioning it in the form can be helpful.
Pour the ShapeCrete mix around the styrofoam “knockout,” filling the mold cavity just below the top edge. Let the cube cure for a minimum of 48 hours. After removing the cube from the tray, carefully dig out the styrofoam, being extra cautious not to crack the sides. If desired, drill a small drainage hole using a 1/8” masonry bit.
Fill your tiny planter with soil and a delicate succulent. Surprise your neighbors with a thoughtful gift to brighten their day! Or, create an entire collection of these mini planters for a unique outdoor or dining room centerpiece.
DIY Concrete Paper Clip Magnet
Materials
- Horseshoe Magnet or Similar
- Spray Adhesive
Any type of magnet can be used for this project, but a fairly powerful one is recommended for best results. A horseshoe-shaped magnet will remain securely embedded within the concrete cube, whereas shallower or cylindrical magnets might not stay in place. Apply glue to the two posts of the magnet and adhere it to the bottom of the ice cube mold cavity.
Pour the ShapeCrete mix around your magnet, filling the mold cavity just below the top edge of the ice cube tray. Allow the cube to cure for at least 48 hours.
Remove your magnetic cubes from the tray and have fun creating paperclip sculptures. Make a collection of them to build architecturally-inspired magnetized building blocks.
DIY Concrete Herb Labels / Tablecloth Weights
Materials
- 1/16” and 1/4” Stainless Steel Cable
- 1/16” and 1/4” Cable Ferrules
- Alligator Clips
- Wire Cutters
- Pliers
We love the utilitarian aesthetic of alligator clips combined with concrete. Cables with alligator clips attached to concrete cubes make incredibly versatile objects for your home and garden.
Here are the key steps to creating these nifty cable clips. Start with a sharp pair of wire cutters and pliers. Working with 1/16” cable is easier than a thicker, 1/4” cable, which can be difficult to cut. Regardless of the cable size, taping the cable at the point where you intend to cut will prevent it from unraveling. Crimp a ferrule on one end to prevent the cable from being pulled out of the cube.
Use needle-nose pliers to crimp the alligator clip onto the other end of the cable. Fill the mold with the ShapeCrete casting mixture. After a few minutes, once the mix begins to firm up, gently sink the cables into the form. Position the cables according to your preference and gently shake the mold or smooth the top surface to even it out.
For a more dramatic effect, create a cluster of cables emerging from a single concrete cube. Use a zip tie to bundle a group of cables together, then submerge them into one spot in the ice cube tray. Position the cables as desired. Gently vibrate the tray by shaking or tapping it to settle air bubbles and smooth out the top surface.
Allow the cube to cure for at least 48 hours. Remove your handy alligator clip cubes from the tray and use them to create spontaneous signage or labels wherever you need them. They’re also perfect for displaying an ever-changing gallery of your favorite photos – ideal for the office or home.
DIY Concrete Tea Light Holder
Materials
- Tea Light Candles
- Masking Tape
- Scissors
Create dramatic, small-scale lighting for indoors or outdoors with these simple tea light holders. To create the void needed for the tea light to sit in, first take two tea lights and tape them together with masking tape. Build up the masking tape until it’s approximately 1/16” wider than the tea light. Trim the tape on the bottom side, and then cover the metal with a piece of tape. Allow the masking tape to overhang at the top to prevent concrete from seeping into the “knockout” you’ve created.
Fill the cube mold approximately 2/3 full with ShapeCrete, then carefully push the taped tea lights into the center of the cube. Allow the cube to cure for a minimum of 48 hours. After removing the concrete cube from the mold, replace the placeholder tea lights with fresh ones and enjoy the ambiance!
Concrete Casting and De-molding
(Removing from the Form)
Fill a small plastic cup with the ShapeCrete casting mix and begin filling the ice cube mold. To compact the mix and eliminate air bubbles, gently vibrate the mold while filling it. Once the mold is full, “screed” the top surface to remove excess concrete and create a smooth finish, using a ruler or a wooden stick. Cover the piece with plastic and allow it to cure for 48 hours.
Removing the pieces from the silicone mold is incredibly easy. Gently pull all sides of the mold away from the concrete. Pull on the inner dividers to break the seal on the inside, and then peel back the mold. With some gentle prying, the pieces will easily release from the silicone tray.
Finishing Your Concrete Crafts
Any sharp or uneven edges should be sanded with diamond hand pads, files, or sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish. The pieces can be left raw to develop a unique patina over time, or they can be sealed to maintain their smooth finish. Add furniture bumpers or cork pieces to the bottom of each cube to prevent scratching surfaces.
ShapeCrete can be colored with concrete pigment and concrete stain to create a variety of effects. You can also paint it with a brush or spray can. Rubber stamps can be used to add surface impressions, and you can even embed tiles or stones to create a mosaic. The possibilities for adding textural elements are endless. Visit ShapeCrete.com for more tips on working with color, decorating your projects, and for new project ideas.
