I know a fellow who works construction, but found himself laid off for 3 to 4 months of Canada's coldest winter months. He makes rustic wood bird houses and bird feeders during those months and fills his garage. He then sells them off in the early spring almost exclusively to garden centers, who typically buy 50 to 200 units at a time and his garage is cleared within 2 weeks. Garden Centers would be another excellent opportunity to sell concrete statues.
thanks rubber man! If you dont know about 'acrylic paint markers', check them out ....the ones people buy to paint on stones....they are excellent for doing highlights and line work on the finished cement statues. For example you can spray paint a frog statue in green, then when its dry add the eyes/ yellow spots ect with the markers. saves heaps of time too :-)
And those plastic deviled egg trays at Dollar Tree and thrift stores, make a great mold for stepping stones that look like a sunflower. I have made a bunch of them. Latex Halloween masks, make a great mold for gargoyles. Just put duct tape over the eye holes before filling.
Thanks for info! I tried to find this premix you suggested, from local big home fix -it stores here, but does not carry here in Northeast Wisconsin. I will add Portland cement on my next pouring with the premix I purchased. I have learned a lot from your Channel!
So, it seems more profitable to go with the smaller molds than the large ones...cause the larger ones suck up more concrete... Thanks brother. I have 5 molds i purchased from you already, but it looks like i'm gonna have to invest in more smaller ones. Great video!
Hi thank you for inspiration and honest direct info. I respect your work. I been watching your channel off on for 7 years now. I have created with concrete I like it it's hard and dirty especially in spring summer. Thanks again
The ability to turn a simple bag of premix into a profitable product line showcases the potential for creativity and entrepreneurship in niche markets. 📈
New subscriber here! Nice info! My wife was thinking of doing pottery or ceramics. I think this will definitely spark her interest, though. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and talent. Looking forward to seeing more.
I looked into doing just this 30 odd years ago, specifically with gnomes since they are not as prevalent in USA as the UK Everyone I talked to said it was a waste of time because shipping costs would be insane because of the weight of concrete. I considered light weight options but finally gave up Good for you if this is working for you, but check out just how popular the gnomes are (or at least were 30 years ago in the UK) If you can get them to catch on UK style you got a gold mine
cost of paints and sealers? What is your work time on each on average (mixing, pouring, mold cleaning, painting)? assuming about $1 each when you figure in materials and spreading the cost of the mold over each pull. if work time is under an hour that is not bad, over an hour and you start paying yourself under minimum wage at $20 each on average.
This is very interesting to me. I live in San Antonio Texas. My parents adopted me as a little girl, and they had what they called a plaster of Paris business so they would make their own mold out of some rubber stuff that smelled pretty strong and poor their own plaster at the time they use plaster, and sell the figurines or use them at the carnivals it was a pitch till you win game
Don't forget the cost of the paint, the brushes, the molds, the Portland cement...those also have a cost...you may have some of them at the moment, but you still need to add those costs in as well because they will wear out. Blessings!
I'm sorry that you didn't include mold costs, because I'm sure that the molds are the largest investment in this. More important to show the real costs than a cost of materials analysis.
Your verbiage in this comment is kinda creepy. Condescending? Passive aggressive? Yes and yes. A simple ‘How much do the molds cost?’ would’ve done the trick. But hey, while we’re on the topic… How many statues can he get out of one mold? The topic of the molds/moulds could easily be another video! I wonder how long they last? how do you take care of? What do they cost? How many statues can you get out of one mold? I bet they are pricey upfront. And! Does he make his own? Why or why not? How much do they weigh? I think about shipping materials and the cost to ship heavy items. But you would still come out way ahead, especially if the consumer pays for the shipping.
Seen a prior video, he makes his own molds and also sells the molds. Yes, there is cost associated with that but the video was a few years old so guessing he has made that back.
I have that book "Turn Concrete into Gold" I'm working with the old CMC aluminum molds like Acanthus, Roman Sr. Empire Sr. Grecian, cavalier etc. It lists clean used motor oil as a good release agent....just wondering if you or your family found and used anything better? Thanks for all your help..... on the west coast of Canada.
I think some of the comments here are rude and uncalled for. The channel is called Rubber Mold Man, I’m sure that there are other videos on the channel that go into more detail regarding the cost of the molds. Nevertheless, this video is inspiring. I’ve always wanted to make statuary. I paint artistically with acrylics and can see myself painting these little statues and actually enjoying it. Thank you so much for sharing this video!
Serendipity and YT algorithm blessed me today with this video! I take care of my disabled son who can't work a normal job because of his schizophrenia. However, he's artistically talented and I believe he would love making these, especially painting the details. I love that you're also a stand-up comedian! I had a dear friend who performed comedy as an amateur but became a pro before he died. His last name was "Strange", so his intro to walk on stage was the Doors song, "People Are Strange". I know there may be copyright issues, but I think it would be hilarious if you reworked some lyrics to the classic Spinners song from the 70s... Hey ya'll prepare yourself for the rubber mold man! You've never known a bro Like the rubber mold man You're bound to lose control When the rubber mold turns to gold! Oh boy, this dude is outta sight! Everything he does seems to come out right!"😃
Do you know best website to get molds? I wanna do some small garden ones for my mom and her little "community" she lives at. I searched but everyone is over $100 each. I know they wouldn't be cheap but dang lol
When I sell online, shippping is covered by the buyer. Keep in mind, there are all kinds of ways to sell other than online and without having to open a store front.
I bet the cost of your time is the most detrimental part to your profitability. Are you able to clean and paint one in 1-2 hours? With a conservative estimate, I'd say 4 statues can be cleaned and painted each day, equating to roughly 8 hours of work. With your estimate in selling the statue for $20-25 dollars per piece, that translates to $10.00, maybe $15.00 made per statue. After that, you would need to subtract 25% roughly for tax purposes. So now, at $7.50 - 11.75 per hour in pay, based on work needed, it doesn't seem worth it, compared to getting a second part-time job.
Depending on the amount of detail, I can easily paint 10-20 statues in a couple of hours. If they're simple finishes, 40-50 in a couple hours. Its not cost effective to spend hours on 1 piece. Keep in mind you can also do this from home, I often do some painting while watching a movie or hanging out with the family as well. Some have even made it a family event/business all working together.
Molds start from $20, keep in mind the molds are reusable and with the proper care and use can produce hudreds of statues. The cost on the website is for the mold to create the statues, not the statue itself.
i have started making from molds mostly plaster ones that are about half the size of your display and have now ventured into concrete for the last half dozen pours with varying results, i hahve opted out of using perlite as it floated to the top which is the bottom and on demolding the bottom half broke away i have since done 2 batches one i would say was too dry and the other too wet but they look ok in my gardens after being repaired, it is my hope that when i get the mix right that i can start making molds of my own creations for probable sale , currently im using just a mix of 1 cement and 2 sand. maybe i need to use coarse sand and get the water content right
This dude is a liar . I did this as a "side hustle" I got MAYBE 3 or 4 sales if you do this you'll have about 15 to 20 statues and wasted time and efforts
It absolutely can be a profitable business. For 54 years it has been the sole income for my parents, my brother and his family, and my family as well. Not to mention, countless others. As with any business, some people will be successful and others will not.
I know a fellow who works construction, but found himself laid off for 3 to 4 months of Canada's coldest winter months. He makes rustic wood bird houses and bird feeders during those months and fills his garage. He then sells them off in the early spring almost exclusively to garden centers, who typically buy 50 to 200 units at a time and his garage is cleared within 2 weeks. Garden Centers would be another excellent opportunity to sell concrete statues.
Thank you for this. I've been following you since June. I've made a few statues and put them on my Facebook.... Just got my first commission today!
You could package the unpainted ones with a cheap paint set, as a "DIY" kit. I'd gladly buy that for $20-$25.
I'm casting my first potential product from a multi-part 3D printed mould that I've been working on and this is good advice and inspiration.
thanks rubber man! If you dont know about 'acrylic paint markers', check them out ....the ones people buy to paint on stones....they are excellent for doing highlights and line work on the finished cement statues. For example you can spray paint a frog statue in green, then when its dry add the eyes/ yellow spots ect with the markers. saves heaps of time too :-)
Great tip!
And those plastic deviled egg trays at Dollar Tree and thrift stores, make a great mold for stepping stones that look like a sunflower. I have made a bunch of them. Latex Halloween masks, make a great mold for gargoyles. Just put duct tape over the eye holes before filling.
Thanks for info! I tried to find this premix you suggested, from local big home fix -it stores here, but does not carry here in Northeast Wisconsin. I will add Portland cement on my next pouring with the premix I purchased. I have learned a lot from your
Channel!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING:) A LOT OF PEOPLE KEEP THIS KIND OF KNOWLEDGE TO THEMSELVES. YOU ARE VERY KIND THANK YOU AGAIN:)
So, it seems more profitable to go with the smaller molds than the large ones...cause the larger ones suck up more concrete... Thanks brother. I have 5 molds i purchased from you already, but it looks like i'm gonna have to invest in more smaller ones. Great video!
Hi thank you for inspiration and honest direct info. I respect your work. I been watching your channel off on for 7 years now. I have created with concrete I like it it's hard and dirty especially in spring summer. Thanks again
The ability to turn a simple bag of premix into a profitable product line showcases the potential for creativity and entrepreneurship in niche markets. 📈
People love yard decor. And they can be used indoors also.
I have been waiting on a video like this thank you.
This looks so fun! Starting my epoxy journey soon, now I gotta try cement!
Turned volume down to minus 9999 to balance out the intro music, then plus 9999 so I could hear him xD
People I know in FL support themselves making these and selling at art shows.
New subscriber here! Nice info! My wife was thinking of doing pottery or ceramics. I think this will definitely spark her interest, though. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and talent. Looking forward to seeing more.
What?? You’re also an entertainer? That’s awesome!! I’ve been following you for years and never knew. 😂
You’ve been entertained by him, and yet did not know it
My first time seeing this channel. Your work is really impressive.
I looked into doing just this 30 odd years ago, specifically with gnomes since they are not as prevalent in USA as the UK
Everyone I talked to said it was a waste of time because shipping costs would be insane because of the weight of concrete. I considered light weight options but finally gave up
Good for you if this is working for you, but check out just how popular the gnomes are (or at least were 30 years ago in the UK) If you can get them to catch on UK style you got a gold mine
Thank you for this.
I love making cement art, and this has helped me realize the potential profit margins!
You’re a great artist, and this looks like a fun hobby or side hustle type of thing. I’m glad it’s working out for you!
Loved this like how you presented every thing open cards,
cost of paints and sealers? What is your work time on each on average (mixing, pouring, mold cleaning, painting)? assuming about $1 each when you figure in materials and spreading the cost of the mold over each pull. if work time is under an hour that is not bad, over an hour and you start paying yourself under minimum wage at $20 each on average.
I like yur channel my guy, im a concrete yter too.
Cool man! Ive been thinking about doing this off and on for years! Thanks for the breakdown!
This is very interesting to me. I live in San Antonio Texas. My parents adopted me as a little girl, and they had what they called a plaster of Paris business so they would make their own mold out of some rubber stuff that smelled pretty strong and poor their own plaster at the time they use plaster, and sell the figurines or use them at the carnivals it was a pitch till you win game
Don't forget the cost of the paint, the brushes, the molds, the Portland cement...those also have a cost...you may have some of them at the moment, but you still need to add those costs in as well because they will wear out. Blessings!
And time
Just wanted to thank you for the videos pal… excellent job!!! Good luck with the comedy also brother 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I'm sorry that you didn't include mold costs, because I'm sure that the molds are the largest investment in this. More important to show the real costs than a cost of materials analysis.
Absolutely!!
Also the many hours of work it takes to make them, paint them and sell them. It isn't all profit... You time is worth something
Your verbiage in this comment is kinda creepy. Condescending? Passive aggressive? Yes and yes. A simple ‘How much do the molds cost?’ would’ve done the trick.
But hey, while we’re on the topic…
How many statues can he get out of one mold? The topic of the molds/moulds could easily be another video! I wonder how long they last? how do you take care of? What do they cost? How many statues can you get out of one mold? I bet they are pricey upfront. And! Does he make his own? Why or why not? How much do they weigh? I think about shipping materials and the cost to ship heavy items. But you would still come out way ahead, especially if the consumer pays for the shipping.
@@matteframe he mentioned the time thing
Seen a prior video, he makes his own molds and also sells the molds. Yes, there is cost associated with that but the video was a few years old so guessing he has made that back.
Very cool I wouldn’t do it to sell them, but I might wanna make a few things for my yard so thanks for the video
I have that book "Turn Concrete into Gold" I'm working with the old CMC aluminum molds like Acanthus, Roman Sr. Empire Sr. Grecian, cavalier etc. It lists clean used motor oil as a good release agent....just wondering if you or your family found and used anything better? Thanks for all your help..... on the west coast of Canada.
Yes, thats what we used, thinned with diesel fuel.
Very cool didn’t know the cement was so inexpensive 👏👏
The real cost is in the molds, tools, and time casting and finishing.
Thank for sharing I love all the different statues very nice and yes very detailed too
Wow I always thought about doing this.Im an artist myself and probably could sculpt my own things but I may try some molds
Where do you get the molds?
Happy, happy, joy, joy! Glad I found you. Always have been interested in this. Thank you.
Dude post your standup somewhere, I'm big into comedy podcasts and stuff right now. Might as well throw it out there
I don't post much of that online. But here are some clips, look for Paul Jensen @openbarcomedy
Noice hustle! Etsy should be a game changer for you. After comedy shows does not mix well. Where did you learn how to make the molds?
Thank you much for this info!
I already do small ones and paint. What do you use to seal the paint please
Also have to account for gas, shipping costs if shipping them etc., boxing/packaging, but still a pretty good return!
cool thanks, been wanting to do something like this.
So do you have any videos of your act on RUclips??? What name do you perform under? Thanks.
I don't post myself, but I am on Openbar comedy here on youtube
Thank you.
Great breakdown. Good to see you're doing well, it's been a while. lol.
I think some of the comments here are rude and uncalled for. The channel is called Rubber Mold Man, I’m sure that there are other videos on the channel that go into more detail regarding the cost of the molds. Nevertheless, this video is inspiring. I’ve always wanted to make statuary. I paint artistically with acrylics and can see myself painting these little statues and actually enjoying it. Thank you so much for sharing this video!
Hey awesome video thanks for posting this! Where do you get your molds from?
I make and sell the molds here www.rubbermoldman.com Thanks
Enjoyed your video and business sense. 😊
Great video! Thank you for your time and wisdom. 🙏💖✨️
My local plant nursery store sells those for $60-$80 😅
I love your prices
Thank you for the inspiration 🙏🏻
Thank you for this info, some horrendous comments.
You didn't add the price of paint.
Holiday themed sets would be good money too
could you make a Styxhexenhammer gnome?
now that would be profitable!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck to you man 👍👍👍
Serendipity and YT algorithm blessed me today with this video! I take care of my disabled son who can't work a normal job because of his schizophrenia. However, he's artistically talented and I believe he would love making these, especially painting the details.
I love that you're also a stand-up comedian! I had a dear friend who performed comedy as an amateur but became a pro before he died. His last name was "Strange", so his intro to walk on stage was the Doors song, "People Are Strange".
I know there may be copyright issues, but I think it would be hilarious if you reworked some lyrics to the classic Spinners song from the 70s...
Hey ya'll prepare yourself for the rubber mold man!
You've never known a bro
Like the rubber mold man
You're bound to lose control
When the rubber mold turns to gold!
Oh boy, this dude is outta sight!
Everything he does seems to come out right!"😃
Thanks.Good idea.
I would like to hide those allover this city :D Thanks for the vid
Making unique custom pots , from design to finished product takes me months.
✌️❤️🇳🇿
Do you know best website to get molds? I wanna do some small garden ones for my mom and her little "community" she lives at. I searched but everyone is over $100 each. I know they wouldn't be cheap but dang lol
I make and sell the molds here, www.rubbermoldman.com I do have latex only molds starting at $20 and latex/fiberglass molds starting at $50, Thanks
Thanks for your video. Good info.
How about Facebook marketplace
so the big question is where do you sell these?
Flea markets, craft fairs, and online, are a few.
Wow! They all look so cute!!!!
I love these!
Where do you buy your molds?
I make and sell the molds here www.rubbermoldman.com
What about shipping costs? Concrete is heavy and I'm sure shipping costs a fortune!
When I sell online, shippping is covered by the buyer. Keep in mind, there are all kinds of ways to sell other than online and without having to open a store front.
Really cool. I love the gnomes.
Thank you ⚘
You should link your standup in Your profile
I have a life-size concrete Sasquatch statue in my yard. If I ever move, I have no idea how I'll take it with me. 😂
But your time have value too! You need to add that in. These are beautiful! Your channel just showed up in my feed!
I bet the cost of your time is the most detrimental part to your profitability.
Are you able to clean and paint one in 1-2 hours? With a conservative estimate, I'd say 4 statues can be cleaned and painted each day, equating to roughly 8 hours of work. With your estimate in selling the statue for $20-25 dollars per piece, that translates to $10.00, maybe $15.00 made per statue.
After that, you would need to subtract 25% roughly for tax purposes. So now, at $7.50 - 11.75 per hour in pay, based on work needed, it doesn't seem worth it, compared to getting a second part-time job.
Depending on the amount of detail, I can easily paint 10-20 statues in a couple of hours. If they're simple finishes, 40-50 in a couple hours. Its not cost effective to spend hours on 1 piece. Keep in mind you can also do this from home, I often do some painting while watching a movie or hanging out with the family as well. Some have even made it a family event/business all working together.
Let the elementary schools kids paint them.
Perfect
Ironically, he looks like a garden gnome.
The profit margin for this business is amazing .. you can’t lose
I love the mini manatees!
👌👌👌
That cool
I can’t wait for the Etsy shop! I’ve had my eye on the sleeping lion since last year! 😊
You how much this dude sell mold for . Omg. Not worth at that price unless you really like something. $175-250 ,for small mold.yeah.
Molds start from $20, keep in mind the molds are reusable and with the proper care and use can produce hudreds of statues. The cost on the website is for the mold to
create the statues, not the statue itself.
😊
You need to sort out a better mic... sound quality is very low.👍
It is something I am working on, thanks
🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏽👏🏽
I have been looking for a Baphomet statue for my front garden.
I got a resin one on eBay a few years back, concrete would be nice though.
Everything is profitable if you have the mindset, God is your business and God never runs out of business!
Thank you. Made in the USA ❤️🤍💙
i have started making from molds mostly plaster ones that are about half the size of your display and have now ventured into concrete for the last half dozen pours with varying results, i hahve opted out of using perlite as it floated to the top which is the bottom and on demolding the bottom half broke away i have since done 2 batches one i would say was too dry and the other too wet but they look ok in my gardens after being repaired, it is my hope that when i get the mix right that i can start making molds of my own creations for probable sale , currently im using just a mix of 1 cement and 2 sand. maybe i need to use coarse sand and get the water content right
This dude is a liar . I did this as a "side hustle" I got MAYBE 3 or 4 sales if you do this you'll have about 15 to 20 statues and wasted time and efforts
It absolutely can be a profitable business. For 54 years it has been the sole income for my parents, my brother and his family, and my family as well. Not to mention, countless others. As with any business, some people will be successful and others will not.