What you need:
• Quikrete 5000
• Rectangular plastic Tupperware containers (make sure it resembles a brick and it's not too slanted). I used Hefty Clip Fresh 6 piece set - We used the two larger pieces (9.7 cup & 4.6 cup) • Vegetable oil • Painters stick • Plastic gloves • Mask • Acrylic paint • Paint brushes • Rough sandpaper or metal file
Directions:
- Prepare your Tupperware container by pouring in a couple tablespoons of vegetable oil and moving it around the container. Use a paper towel to spread the oil around all the sides like you would a baking pan. Make sure you cover all sides and crevices.
- Add 3 cups Quikcrete mix to 1 cup water and combine until consistency of brownie mix. If it's too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it's more liquid. It's easiest to do this with your hands (wearing gloves and a mask of course).
- Scoop concrete mixture into prepared Tupperware and gently drop your container over and over again on the counter making sure all bubbles rise to the top (again, just like you would do while baking). Do this for at least 30 seconds, then allow to dry in a cool space. Do not place in the sun. Allow 12-24 hours to fully dry.
- Gently remove from container and wipe dry. Using sandpaper, remove any jagged areas you don't like. I like having some of the corners jagged because they look more like old books.
- Start painting cement book with one solid color and let dry. Paint the sides white and with a straight edge of a paper paint black and gray lines so it looks like the pages in a book. Either freehand the graphics and letters or use stencils and acrylic paint.
DIY Concrete Bookends with Jessie Jane
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