All Blog Posts (94)

Laguna Tide Pool & Spa --- Review

Once Again We Up The Bar

Click on Pic to See Course Data 

Richard Winget has just launched his new RockScapes 101 series 2

 

In the RockScapes 101 Series 2 --- Laguna Tide Pool and Spa Project ---

We take a look at some new techniques for texture, carving and…

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Added by Nathan Giffin Vertical Artisans on February 13, 2014 at 5:10pm — 1 Comment

Artificial rock artisan needed in south Orange County CA

Huge pool company is seeking an artisan to re-color a rock pool. If interested please contact me via email so that I can give you details. Ray@undertheseainc.com

Added by ray estorga on January 14, 2014 at 7:24pm — No Comments

Draper Livivng Planet Aquaruim

Hope you have a good time in Oregon! Landing the finish up work at the Living Planet Aquruim is a huge opportunity for us, I couldn't have done it with out the training from the VA. Thanks Nathan!! I will post Pics after the Feburary opening. This 24 million dollar facility is like nothiing I have ever seen. Know are company will be forever be linked to this world class Aquaruim. 

Corey

Added by Corey Draper on January 12, 2014 at 10:29pm — No Comments

And if you are wondering what 20 min movie reel is hanging on the wall -- it is The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, 1976 starring Ben Gazzara and directed by John Cassavetes.  Horrible movie that belong…

And if you are wondering what 20 min movie reel is hanging on the wall -- it is The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, 1976 starring Ben Gazzara and directed by John Cassavetes.  Horrible movie that belongs in a dark cave. 

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Added by Ervin Szpek, Jr on January 12, 2014 at 9:38pm — No Comments

Hello Vertical Artisans. Hope the Christmas season brought you much joy and 2014 is off to a good start. There are updated photos & slideshow with descriptions of our mining cave rec room which is do…

Hello Vertical Artisans. Hope the Christmas season brought you much joy and 2014 is off to a good start. There are updated photos & slideshow with descriptions of our mining cave rec room which is done except for decorating with vintage movie posters, old newspapers and more like a big screen TV in the cave theater and one by the restored 1920s speakeasy bar. The restored 1929 seats from the Avalon Theater in Milwaukee turned out sharp. The final phase to complete the theme rec room is…

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Added by Ervin Szpek, Jr on January 12, 2014 at 9:10pm — No Comments

Old School Additives

Seeing the various additives used for special application mortars over the past 1900 years, makes me appreciate the modern era's ability to synthesize.



Table 8: The effect of natural organic additives on lime-based mortars (4; 9; 5; 35)



Type of additive Natural compound



Increasing strength - Sugar, molasses, fats, fruit juices, rye dough, rice starch, gluten,

curdled milk, egg white, vegetable gums, casein, cheese, blood

 

Setting time…

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Added by Jeff Tobler on January 8, 2014 at 7:50am — 3 Comments

Lime Dust… DONT USE IT AS A "RELEASE AGENT"

This post in in regards to a " 6 DVD SET" that is in the market place today...

I've purchased and watched this complete set.  It cost about $159 and is not worth even this meager investment.

The sales point of making your own mix can be found in the halls of Vertical Artisans, or given for free to students who call me with making their own mix designs.

The "techniques" used in the videos can also be seen in the teaching curicullum on…

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Added by Nathan Giffin Vertical Artisans on November 30, 2013 at 11:30am — 1 Comment

Mining cave tunnels

Hello Vertical Artisans.

I added a few new photos of my two completed  8'L x 4'W x 3'H tunnels that branch out from my "mining cave" rec room. (They were difficult to do with a splatter gun due to the confined space.) One tunnel is to be a BB gun range. The other is a "gold mine" with a gold mining car and track. There are captions for these photos.

Added by Ervin Szpek, Jr on August 27, 2013 at 9:16pm — No Comments

"Mining cave" rec room progress

Hello Vertical Artisans. I posted a few new photos of my "mining cave" rec room.  My wife and I just completed the finish coat although my camera might not do it justice due to the "darkness" of the project.  We've splatter 6 tons of concrete stucco so far and have another 1/2 ton to finish off 2 small tunnels that still need to be framed out -- one for what will be a BB gun range and the other just for show as a gold mine with a gold mining car.  We still have to stain and seal the cave…

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Added by Ervin Szpek, Jr on August 5, 2013 at 10:58pm — 1 Comment

Mining Cave

Our “mining cave” project is part of the basement of our 100+ yr old the brick bungalow. With all the obstructions in these old houses like a cistern and heating pipes I had to try something different. The photos are only the scratch coat. The size of the cave is 35’ x 15’ plus an entrance area and a “cave” ½ bathroom. Bathroom is simple and rustic.  A hand beaten nickel vessel sink and hand pump faucet in a rock vanity. Eventually I’ll add a cave shower room by the cave…

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Added by Ervin Szpek, Jr on June 26, 2013 at 9:20pm — 1 Comment

Kirtbag Canada

Just a reminder, Kirtbag Carving Mix is available in Canada. If you have any questions or would like to place an order you can contact me, Christian Maucieri either by phone or by e-mail. (403) 333-5933 christian@concreteevolution.ca

Added by Christian Maucieri on May 29, 2013 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Birdbath in progress

Added by Paul Labelle on May 27, 2013 at 5:24pm — No Comments

Concrete Art Class

Cindee Lundin - Joyce Nelson 

www.FauxRetreat.com



Please contact instructors directly for more…

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Added by Kathy Boyd on May 13, 2013 at 3:00pm — 2 Comments

Tru Pac Question

Hi Everyone,

   I found a local distributor of Tru-Pac close-by here in Ohio. I have heard nothing but good about it and going to use it on my next project.

 I had a couple of questions if I can throw them out there..

If anyone can help that would be great:

- I work a lot with foam as the core of my pieces, I think I remember Nathan using it on foam for the world of concrete display. From what I remember there was no need for wire? Is that true? Can I use…

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Added by CloosEffects on April 16, 2013 at 2:37pm — 3 Comments

World of Concrete 2013

Well the World of Concrete 2013 is finally over.    It was a very long 8 days for me personally and  I want to send a special shout out to the vertical artisans that showed up  and helped me throughout the entire week. 

Gabe, Kenyan, TJ, and Charles

 There were other artisans that came by and participated throughout the week but these guys came early and help with a lot of the load.     I also want to send out a hugh  shout out to Troy Allman from the Concrete Decor magazine.  …

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Added by Nathan Giffin Vertical Artisans on February 9, 2013 at 1:01pm — 11 Comments

Free advertisement

Hello everyone, i discovered a great way to advertise for free. Most local newspapers offer write ups in certain sections for free. If you call them and tell them what you do, they will request some pics, info on what it is you do, and then they tailor it to fit in a certain section of the paper. I was able to get 3 pics and a half page article in the local paper in the business section describing what i did, what is is, and where i am located. It is also online for the people who may not…

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Added by jeff kirt/ kirtbag Carving mix on January 7, 2013 at 9:39pm — 1 Comment

mixer/spray pump combined

"looking to buy a used  mixer/spray pump,putzmeister sp11 or similar type of machine. any help would be gratefully appreciated. cheers"

Added by gareth spud farrelly on October 25, 2012 at 6:42pm — 2 Comments

Corey Draper and Professional Landscapes, Thank You

Corey Draper invited Exotic Concrete and I out to a pool job he is doing in Draper, Utah.  Not only was corey wonderful to work with his also has an amazing crew.  The job was a great step for me in the right direction.  He made me realize how much potential is out there.  From Bryan and myself we thank you and your company for eveything.

 

If anyone every has the chance to go one of corey's jobs.  Jump on it.

 

Thanks, Joshua Russell

Added by Joshua Russell on October 21, 2012 at 9:30pm — No Comments

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