Mosaic: Stepping Garden Stones

Step 1.Choose your mold.

There are numerous commercial stepping stone molds available in various sizes and shapes. If you are wanting to make a garden stone for decorative purposes only than a small mold (8") will be fine. If you are going to use it as a "stepping stone" than choose a 12" or larger mold.

Step 2. Set Up Your Work-Space.

Cement is very dusty and dried cement can be very difficult to remove from clothing and floors so choose a place (outside or a ventilated workspace such as your garage) to do your pouring. Lay down newspaper or plastic tarps on a level work table (an old shower curtain works great) . Make sure to set up your mold with all of your tools and water close by in easy reach.

Step 3. Preparing Your Mold

To keep the cement mortar from sticking to your mold lightly spray or wipe on vegetable oil. Depending on the size of your mold will determine how much cement and water you will use. To help determine your needs read below the section entitled "How Much Dry Cement Mortar Do I Use?"

Step 4. Mixing your cement mortar.

First, put on your dusk mask, gloves and safety glasses. Measure out your dry mortar into a large bucket. Add half of your measured water, saving the rest for adding as needed. Using a trowel, thoroughly mix the dry mortar with the water until it is like thick peanut butter. If the mix is too dry add a small amount of water until it is of the desired consistency. If is too runny add dry mortar. Make sure the slurry is thoroughly mixed before pouring. See mixing hints for additional instructions.

Step 5.Make it Smooth.

Scoop the mortar into your mold using your trowel. Using the back of your trowel spread the wet mortar evenly across the base stone and as level and smooth as possible. The total time you spend on mixing, pouring and smoothing should be no more than 5 minutes. Gently tap the sides of the filled mold with the handle of your screwdriver for at least 30 seconds to help burp the cement slurry of any air bubbles. This will also help level out the wet cement. Let it sit undisturbed overnight. Once the stone has hardened invert the mold and gently press on the back of the mold to release the stone.

Step 6. Drying Tips

Elevate the stone on wood dowels or pencils to maximize air circulation for even drying. For the first 24 hours after making your stone let it sit undisturbed. This is when it is the weakest. The following day you can move it indoors where it will need to fully cure for a couple more weeks before it can go outside.

This is a fun and a bit messy way to create gorgeous stepping stones. If you love playing with clay you will enjoy crafting stones with this method.

The first part will instruct you in how to make a base stepping stone that you will use to adhere your tesserae (the decorative items used to create the mosaic design). If you prefer, you can skip this step and instead purchase and use a commercial precast stepping stone, your choice of size, shape, and color.

The next three parts are easy to follow videos to teach you;
Part 2. How to adhere your tesserae (the decorative items used to create the mosaic design).
Part 3. How to apply grout the fun messy way.
Part 4. And our most loved step (I am joking) how to clean your stepping stone of all the excess grout.

For Making Your Own Stepping Stone Base You Will Need:

1 Stepping Stone Mold
Vegetable Oil to use as Mold Release, spray or liquid
QuikCrete Mortar
Water
Mixing bucket
Measuring cups (dry and liquid)
Gloves
Mask
Protective eyeware
Garden Trowel
Screwdriver (this is to use for burping the cement)
Paper Towels for clean up
Wood Pencils or Dowels for Drying

For the Glue 'n Grouting You Will Need:

Thin Set Mortar
Water
Plastic Mixing Bowl
Mixing Spoon
Old Butter Knife

Sanded Grout (your choice of color)
Water
Latex Gloves, Protective Mask, Protective Eyewear
Mixing Bowl
Mixing Spoon

Old Cloth (such as a t-shirt)
Sponge
Clean Water

Following is a list of available commercial mold sizes available for stepping stones with a suggested amount of cement mortar needed to fill each. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. I have found some molds will state that they are say 12" in diameter but in reality they are only 11 1/2". If you want an exact size mold make sure you have a tape measure when you go to buy it!

Mold Size - Qty of Cement Mortar
8" Square - 7 cups
12" Square - 18 cups
16" Square - 25 cups
8" Round - 5 cups
12" Round - 12 cups
14" Round - 14 cups
18" Round - 25 cups
12" Hexagon - 10 cups
16" Hexagon - 24 cups
9" Heart - 7 cups
9" Butterfly - 8 cups

If you have a mold size that is not listed and you want to get an estimate for how much cement you will need do the following:
Fill your mold up with water to the level you would pour your stone. Measure the number of cups of water you used and multiply it by 1.25. This will give you an estimated amount of cement you will need. It is always better to make a little extra. If you don't have enough cement slurry to fill your mold you can always make up an additional batch and add it to your poured slurry. You have to make it immediately so as not to allow the first pour to set up.