Button Stepping Stones

by Mark Montano

15K44722

Intro: Button Stepping Stones

Make big cement button stepping stones to add whimsey to your garden path.

STEP 1: See the Video Tutorial Here


STEP 2: Here's What You Need

Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paints

Americana Decor Ultra Matte Varnish

Rapid Set Cement (Home Depot)

Non-stick cooking spray

Large lids in different sizes (I like plastic)

4 matching small plastic caps

Paintbrush

Craft knife

STEP 3:

Pick your lid (or flat bottom bowl) for your button mold

With a craft knife, score the inside of the small lids and the area where they will be glued on the lid

Scoring (scratching) your surface will help the glue stick better

STEP 4:

Fill the caps to the rim with hot glue and glue them in place on the lid

After the glue has dried, spray the mold with non-stick cooking spray

STEP 5:

Mix enough rapid-set cement to fill your mold. Follow the instructions on the box

Fill the mold and allow to cure.

Rapid set cement sets in about 20 minutes!

STEP 6:

Remove your cement button

Paint with Americana Decor Chalky Finish in a color you like

Add dimension with Crème Wax Varnish the stone with Americana Decor Ultra Matte Varnish

22 Comments

bergerab 9 years ago

Very creative idea! The cover photo looks great

HollyMann 9 years ago

I LOVE these - how creative!!! I need some please!

mouse1234 6 years ago

I'm a retired fashion designer who spent most of my life in NYC, I still miss it every day, but I've continue to sew, and now living in the country( Pa ),I think these would be a great "nod" to my former life, and livelihood. Thanks for the great and simple idea!.

michaelgc 9 years ago

These are pretty awesome. I have just started redoing my garden and I think that my wife would love these.

poofrabbit 9 years ago

Congratulations on being a finalist in the Concrete and
casting contest! Best of luck to you! I really dig these stepping stones, they would be so cute leading up to a childs play house.

TheLacedAngel 9 years ago

AHHH these are so cute! As a seamstress, I feel I need these in my yard. Now where did I put those old scratched up cake pans... They'd be perfect for this.

Battlespeed 9 years ago

Brilliant! Would be cute in a whimsical garden setting. If the stepping stones will actually be receiving much foot traffic, I do agree with the comment by caitlinsdad below, or you can use steel mesh (1/8" or 1/4") instead of poly fibers to strengthen the stones.

patsheldon 9 years ago

cute! I love these. Like almost a wonder land :3

caitlinsdad 9 years ago

That looks like a pretty weak mix of cement with all that water. If you are going to use these for stepping on since they are thin, you may want to add some poly fibers for strength and to reduce stress cracks when it cures. Using cement dye is better than paint which weathers off.

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Thanks for the suggestion.......Though they've been used daily for 5 weeks now and they are fine.

caitlinsdad 9 years ago

The urban conditions here in NYC are not so forgiving.

Mark Montano 9 years ago

True! I miss the east village very much, but I don't miss not having outdoor space.

caitlinsdad 9 years ago

Ah, we like to take pride in the cement shoes...wait, buttons that we make.

wyldestyle 9 years ago

great stuff - looks like fun... kids love it... a little chicken wire or coathangers make great cheap reinforcement... but as you say they are holding up thats good and your right because they are small size, if you increase the size reinforcement is a good way to go.
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