Statutes to statuary
Dan Bruenning went from slinging mud to molding it. The personal injury lawyer who lives and works in Big Bear Valley sought a new hobby four years ago to offer relief from the stress of being a legal eagle. “I’m slinging a different kind of mud now,” he says.
While looking for his calling, Bruenning noticed statuary and wondered what it took to actually make the concrete shapes. As he started his research he became more fascinated with the art form and dove right in.
Bruenning started making statues for his own home, but his enthusiasm for the hobby began to pile up. He began giving the statues to friends and family as gifts and selling items at yard sales. Based on the positive feedback, he went into business, starting Mountain Art Casting to sell his goods.
“There’s a lot of cottage industry going on right now,” Bruenning says. “People are making amazing things. They are tired of seeing Made in China labels.”
Cottage industry is the home-based creation of products and services rather than items mass-produced in factories. It’s a David vs. Goliath type of business model, with artisans taking on cheaper, quicker production with their one-at-a-time production schedule.
Bruenning’s creations are earth friendly, made of concrete, which is a mixture of clay, limestone, iron, gravel, sand and water. The pieces are formed from liquid stone, hand cast and hand painted.
The attention to detail sets the products apart from the mass-produced statuary, birdbaths and decorative plaques often found at large retailers. “Big manufacturers have lots of overhead,” he says. “They just don’t have the time.”
Locally, Mountain Art Casting products can be found at Cabin Fever in the Village area of Big Bear Lake and Eminger’s Nursery. The most popular of Bruenning’s creations are the bear paw concrete stepping stones, but the garden benches are sought-after garden accoutrements as well. The locally-made tag does catch customers’ attention, a Cabin Fever sales person told The Grizzly.
Bruenning is a self-taught artist who sees progression in his work one piece at a time. “It’s through making hundreds of pieces and getting experience with different kinds of brushes and paints,” he says. “I can progress even within the same mold.”
Unique molds are always on his radar—from man cave plaques to Alpine critters and butterfly benches, he is constantly adding more to his collection. “I’m always searching for something that fits my mountain arts theme.
Casting Concrete Molds - News
There is the concrete mixing area, and the molds made out of fiberglass and latex are the next station. There's the curing area out back and then the painting portion. There is also a showroom of sorts, taking up his walkway and porch in the front yard
That includes crafting his own molds and sometimes even sculpting original masterpieces from clay to be cast -- and recast -- in concrete. Today, Godwin, 49, has developed quite a following with his longtime hobby, including local gardening expert and
Owre remembers seeing Sellers make a mistake building a concrete foundation - he used the wrong size stakes, Owre said - and continue pouring concrete from his truck. "That's his power, in a way," Owre said. "To go ahead with it.
KELLY PRESNELL / ARIZONA DAILY STAR The sculpture was made from actual molds of the Bonanza Wash, which is being rerouted for road work. On the south side of Tanque Verde Road, just east of Catalina Highway, five curved concrete forms coated with dirt
Cast from Jell-o molds and artillery shell casings, Deborah Ruzinsky's aptly named "Sugar Bomb #3" is an explosive eyeful of color and whimsy. "Fog of Communication III," by Jeff Zimmer, is a powerful though quiet piece. It's a light box made from
Concrete molds
There are many varieties and methods of extending the use and possibilities of creative molding and amongst those favored for both durability and versatility are concrete molds. For those wanting to explore the imaginative and artistic potential of these molds, it is advisable to keep a few tips in mind, when purchasing concrete molds.
Guidelines for buying concrete molds
It is possible that while considering casting- some people refer to it as pouring-molds can use concrete, cement, plaster, ceramic material, wax, soap, and even hypertufa as a medium. There are various types of materials used for the making of molds (or moulds, as they are sometimes spelt). There are latex/rubber molds, which are expensive to buy and require skilled hands to use but the expertise results in some great detailing and unmatched artistic beauty of the constructed item, if used properly. There are many companies that offer a variety in sizes, shapes and materials for r concrete molds and other molds as well and most of these manufacturers have the convenience of online catalogues and Internet shopping, making the purchase an easy option. Some manufacturers also offer made-to-order molds, and delivery time ranges between 3-5 weeks from placement of order money. For those beginning this as a hobby craft or a business choice, it is important to realize that the investment in concrete molds will be considerable and even with several hundred dollars worth of molds, there are limitations to the different castings to offer your customers, possibly only 5-10 types. It makes better financial sense, therefore, to start with the cheaper and easier to use rigid or semi rigid plastic molds. They are relatively less costly and give an excellent feel for mixing and casting, whatever be the medium. For those investing $150 to $200 in these, there will be20 or 30 different castings to create and sell, increasing the chances of bringing in the cash.
Molds costing, tips and delivery
If purchasing plastic molds for casting concrete, most manufacturers guarantee a delivery within a week of placing the order. These retailers send the molds along with comprehensive instructions on how to use them, pictorial guidelines and possibilities of creative work, thereby simplifying the process of casting with them. Maintained and cleaned well, most of these molds can prove to be very durable and give a great start in any casting business.
Casting Concrete Molds - Bookshelf
Significance of tests and properties of concrete and concrete-making materials
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Sulphur Molds In searching for a material of which to make cast molds for ornamental concrete work at the Engrg. Dept, University of Nevada, ...Concrete engineers' handbook, data for the design and construction of plain and reinforced concrete structures
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6 — This Shows the Multiple Molds for Casting the Stud Sections In the view at ... of casting a great number of units with wet concrete in multiple molds, ...Day-to-day News Directory
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