Save $$$ on Wood Carving you didn't buy.
 

We live in a rural area of the Colorado Rockies called Indian Mountain. A lot of Native American heritage history here.

I have had this concrete Indian bust for many years. Bought it at a flea market for $5. Considered painting it but decided it probably looked better as gray concrete. I like it so much since I stained it thought I would share it.

I had cut off a standing dead aspen tree and made a pedestal for the Indian.

A couple years ago I was staining the logs on the house and wondered if the transparent oil stain would take on the concrete and how it would look. I tried it underneath the base and it took a on nice variegated woodtone appearance. So I did the rest of it and the pedestal as you see in the photo.

We have had many who saw it and thought it was a wood carving. A wood carving with this detail could easily bring hundreds of dollars. "Aren't you afraid someone will take it?" I just smile and tell them it is concrete.

It has been outdoors summer and winter for over two years and looks as this photo I took this morning. Would work for anything as a lawn decoration desired to have a natural wood appearance.

I had to wash it before the pic. Birds have no respect for an old Indian.

that looks really nice... and the stain does make it look like wood.

Thanx Matt. and all for $5.

P.S. Since this is in an energy saving forum, we do use scrap tree firewood for about 80% of our heating. Used less than 200 gallons of propane in the last calendar year using for hot water and occasional forced air furnace heat.

That looks great!!!

I made my "whompin" stick out of an old tree that got knocked down in Hurricane Ivan. It is my threat stick for students. Over time co-workers added things to it when I wasn't in the office. It has had a custom grip added, spikes etc. Looks great and I just threw an old piece of wood from the tree on my lathe. How's that for recycling?

I have a standing dead pine tree and am going to use the stump as a pedistal for a picnic table in the backyard. I recently had to cut down a pine and quickly found out the tap root goes down about 8ft for a tree this size. Figure it's better to just utilize the stump instead. All around the property I plan on putting a bench & table here and there, mostly on my nature trails.

Wazabi. Do you carry your stick when hypermiling??

No, I keep full attention on driving and BOTH hands on the wheels. :D Oh geez....did I say full attention? I meant I focus on driving.