13 Rock And Concrete Crafts To Impress Your Friends And Family

Arts & crafts projects with wood, pine cones, and leaves is all the rage right now, and we get it – it looks nice. But often left out are the humble rock and its city slicker cousin, concrete, which are great materials for creative expression. Whether painting, gluing, or decorating, the following 13 ideas are easy to imitate and sure to bring joy to you and others – after all, each one of these DIY projects makes for a great gift!

1. Doormat

You'll Need:

  • non-slip mat
  • flat rocks
  • hot glue gun 

Here's How:

All you need to do is hot glue the flat rocks to the mat, and ta-da! You've got an eye-catching and functional doormat. 

2. Bookends

You'll Need:

  • cardboard, cut into rectangles
  • rocks of different sizes
  • hot glue gun

Here's How:

Fold the cardboard and fix it in place with a book. Arrange the rocks on the cardboard in a single layer, which will become the base of the bookend.

Using the hot glue gun, glue more rocks on top of the base until the bookend has the shape you want. Once the glue has set, remove the rocks from the cardboard and repeat the steps to make a second bookend. Just make sure you don't drop them – they're heavy!

3. Gemstones

You'll Need:

  • smooth rocks
  • paper towels
  • crayons, assorted colors

Here's How:

Heat the rocks in an oven set to 475°F for 15 minutes. Place the hot rocks on the paper towels and draw on them with the crayons. The hot surface of the rocks will cause the crayons to melt and so the colors will run over the surface. This creates beautiful patterns on the rocks, and once they've dried, they're great and colorful places to set your jewelry.

4. Indestructible Cacti

You'll Need:

  • rocks
  • paint
  • flower pots

Here's How:

Paint the surface of the rocks green and let dry. Then paint a cactus pattern on the green surface with white paint. Now you have cacti that you really never need to water! Store them in flower pots to complete the visual effect. 

5. Rock Bowl

You'll Need:

  • small, flat rocks
  • plastic wrap
  • hot glue gun

Here's How:

Line a bowl with plastic wrap, place the rocks in the bowl, and hot glue them together. Be careful not to glue them to the plastic wrap!

Remove the rock bowl from the glass bowl as soon as the hot glue has dried and carefully pull off the plastic wrap. Decorate the finished bowl however you want and place it indoors or outdoors. You made it, so do what you like!

6. Tealight Candle Holder

You'll Need:

  • 5 small, flat rocks
  • 1 large, flat rock
  • permanent markers
  • hot glue gun
  • tealight candles

Here's How:

Paint eyes on each of the small rocks and glue them in a row on top of the big rock. Light a tealight candle in the middle, and you've got a cute homemade candle holder that'll make even the gloomiest corner shine. 

7. Vase

You'll Need:

  • Pringles can
  • spray paint
  • hot glue gun
  • small rocks

Here's How:

Spray paint the chip canister and let dry. Then glue the rocks on the surface until the entire surface is covered, place some flowers inside, and you've got a ready-made room brightener! 

8. Garden Fairy House

Doesn't this little rock house look like something straight out of a fairy tale? Place it on the windowsill, balcony, or in the garden and you'll be waiting for the elves and fairies to move in. But what's really amazing is that this cute little house is built out of a plastic bottle! Get the instructions for the Garden Fairy House.

9.–11. DIY Cement Crafts 

Cement doesn't just hold the walls of your house together — when it comes to crafting, it has a range of eclectic uses and can also be used to make really impressive home decorations. Get the instructions for the DIY Cement Crafts.

12. Fairy House Lamp

This pretty castle actually isn't made out of rocks or concrete, but it looks so sturdy you probably thought it was, right? If this looks like something you'd want to brighten your home, then you've come to the right place! Get the instructions for the Fairy House Lamp.

13. Colorful Concrete Vases

What do you think these pretty vases are made out of? If you're reading this, you probably already know they're made out of concrete, but who knew it could be so pretty and colorful?! Get the instructions for the Colorful Concrete Vases.

Some people say rocks and concrete look boring, but with these 13 cool tricks, you can give these "ugly" materials a beautiful appearance with a little bit of TLC and a whole lot of crafting. With these easy hacks, you're sure to give your garden, balcony, and home a pleasing new aesthetic that'll wow your family and friends!

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