The November Concrete Workshops are HALFWAY FILLED!

“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.”
— William Arthur Ward

Perhaps you've been waiting for the perfect moment to come along to attend a Concrete Design School hands-on workshop? There are no perfect moments, the only moment is now, the best opportunity is the one at hand. The good news is we are holding 3 amazing concrete workshops in November (aka "The Inception Training Event"). The bad news is they are already halfway filled! Don't let the sun set on your dreams of getting into the high-end decorative concrete trade, or expanding your current business, there is still time! 

Follow the links below to learn more and to register for your perfect workshop(s):

2.5 Day Fabric-Forming + GFRC Concrete Sink Workshop, November 5-7

2.5 Day Upright Casting Technique (UCT) Workshop for Sink with Jon Schuler, November 7-9

1.5 Day Furniture Design Workshop, November 10-11

or attend ALL THREE:

6.5 Day Inception Training Event, November 5-11

A Recap of Two Awesome Classes and Looking Forward to INCEPTION

Today was the final day of the Dusty-Crete Workshop, and the Fabric-Forming Concrete Sink + GFRC Workshop wrapped on Wednesday. Every class is great, and this one was no different - we had an amazing time getting to know the talented guys and gals that are the future of this industry. The solar eclipse path of totality passed over Nashville, and we missed 100% coverage by a few miles, but we took a break from training to enjoy the 99.7% coverage. 

If you would like to start a business in the decorative concrete industry or take your current concrete business to the next level, I would highly encourage you to attend the Inception Training Event being held November 5-11 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This special week of training features the following three back-to-back workshops:

Training opportunities like this don't come along every day, or every year for that matter, it's been a year since the last time we offered the Furniture Design Workshop. This is a rare chance to attend three in-depth and profound hands-on concrete workshops in a single week that could literally change your life for the better. If you are an entrepreneur that wants to be the best in your market, this is the training event you've been waiting for! 

INCEPTION, the Training Event of 2017 you don't want to miss!

The Inception Training Event, what is it?

It is the first series of workshops to be held at the new Concrete Design School headquarters located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. 

When is it?

We are holding 3 classes back-to-back November 5-11, 2017.

What classes are going to be available?

I’m glad you asked! We are holding our gold standard 2.5 Day Fabric-Forming Concrete Sink + GFRC Workshop, followed by the NEW! 2.5 Day Upright Casting Technique (UCT) Workshop for Sinks by Jon Schuler, and wrapping with the much anticipated 1.5 Day Furniture Design Workshop.

Why are the classes scheduled for November 5-11, 2017?

These workshops are scheduled as they are to make it as easy for you to travel and take time off. Veterans Day is Saturday, November 11th, which means there is a good chance you will already have Friday the 10th off. This only requires four days of vacation time for 7 days of training, with travel on the weekends. Efficiency at its finest. 

How can I get in on this before it’s too late?

CLICK HERE to go to the Inception Training Event page where you can purchase tickets.

New Workshops Scheduled for August 2017!

The Dynamic Training Duo that is Brandon Gore and Dusty Baker have teamed up again to teach their respective industry leading workshops back-to-back! 

Brandon Gore will be conducting the premiere GFRC and Fabric-Forming Concrete Workshop August 21-23, 2017 at Dusty Baker's studio in Burns, TN. If you are new to concrete or are a seasoned veteran looking to expand your offerings, this is the class for you. Concrete sinks are evermore on-trend, and obtaining the skill-set to craft them at a master level is imperative to nurture this part of your business. Nearly every one of these workshops has sold-out over the last several years, so if you are wanting to get into concrete or refine your abilities, as they say - don't delay, sign-up today!

Dusty Baker is teaching his workshop on how to create his world class finish 'DustyCrete', August 24-26, 2017 in Burns, TN. Dusty is the preeminent expert on the art of pre-casting concrete to have a natural stone-like aesthetic that is at home in rustic decors as well as contemporary. The look he has developed is one of the most sellable (and profitable) finishes you can offer your customers. If you operate a concrete business anywhere on Earth, then you need to purchase tickets for this class NOW, like right now. 

And as always when we teach our two workshops in succession, we offer special reduced pricing for folks wanting to attend both classes, click here to learn more about the 'All-In Workshop Package.'

June 2017 just got hotter! Dusty-Crete & Fabric-Forming Concrete Sinks + GFRC Workshops are now scheduled!

Is it hot in here or is it the Dusty-Crete pieces coming out of the shops of previous attendees of the World Famous Dusty-Crete Workshops? It's only going to get hotter now that the next Dusty-Crete Workshop taught by Dusty Baker has been scheduled for June 8-10, 2017. Brandon Gore will be teaching the industry-leading 2.5 Day Fabric-Forming Sink + GFRC Workshop, June 5-7, 2017. For those industrious creative souls that wish to attend both, we're offering a special reduced rate! Join us in Burns, TN - bring your shades, sunscreen, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty! 

'CONCRETE IS HARD' T-Shirt - There is only one way to get one!

Concrete Design School Class T-Shirt for Angels Camp, CA May 2017 Workshop

Concrete is hard in the literal sense; there's a reason they don't make mattresses from it. Concrete is hard in the sense that to do it well takes a lot of skill, practice, patience, and a dash of luck. I have been wanting to put this phrase on a t-shirt for many years, and it is finally happening. The only way to procure one of these beauties is to attend the May 2017 Workshops being held in Angels Camp, CA! We hope to see you there!

Post-Tensioned Concrete, Current Techniques, Old World Methods, Modern Mix Designs, and Jon Schuler! We must be California dreaming!

The stars have aligned and we just scheduled two brand new workshops to be held at Creative Crete in Angels Camp, CA, May 1-6, 2017! Brandon Gore will be teaching a class that goes in-depth on his most current techniques, including post-tensioning concrete, while Jon Schuler will be conducting a workshop on creating a multitude of finishes with the most basic of tools and techniques. Two things are guaranteed; 1. These classes are going to be a ton of fun, and 2. They are going to fill up fast! If you want to attend both workshops at a special reduced rate, check out the All-In Workshop Package. See you in California! 

The Spring 2017 Workshop Dates Have Been Set!

We have received many emails over the last few weeks asking when the next workshops will be held. This news is hot off the presses - we're holding two workshops this February in Burns, Tennessee! Our gold-standard 2.5 Day Fabric-Forming Sink + GRC Workshop is slated for February 20-22, 2017, followed up by the world famous Dusty-Crete Workshop on February 23-25, 2017. We anticipate most participants will want to attend both workshops, so we have set aside a select number of tickets at a reduced price. If you have been dreaming about concrete, or admiring dreamy concrete, seize the moment and secure your ticket before they are gone! See you in Tennessee! 

A lost treasure trove of historic concrete education has been discovered, and can be yours for the LOW, LOW price of just $25!

In preparation for the move to Arkansas I have begun emptying out cabinets. In the back of a cabinet I found a treasure trove of our training DVD's that we filmed and released nearly a decade ago. I stopped selling them many years back as our processes had evolved, but there is still a lot of good information and tips & tricks contained on them. Originally sold for $80-$150 each, I am wholesaling these out for just $25 each until they are gone! Speaking of gone, the GFRC DVD is SOLD OUT, so don't wait too long on securing your copy of the Fabric-Forming Sink Mould DVD and the Advanced Sink Design using Stock Sink Moulds DVD!

LAST CALL FOR THE FURNITURE DESIGN WORKSHOP! July 30-31, 2016

We are a week and a half out from the Furniture Design Workshop, which is plenty of time to book your travel accommodations (click here for travel info). The Furniture Design Workshop, to be held July 30th and 31st, is a crash course on design considerations when developing a piece of furniture. Great design is everything! Original design is everything! Book your flight and spend a day and a half exploring and experimenting with new techniques and a fresh approach to design. 

The July Workshops are 53% Full!

We announced the July workshops exactly a week ago today, and in that short amount of time they are already more than half filled - 53% to be exact! In more than a decade of teaching sold-out workshops we've never had classes fill up this quickly, it is unprecedented! 

If you are interested in learning the following:

  • Concrete Sinks
  • Concrete Countertops
  • Concrete Tile
  • Concrete Furniture
  • Rustic Concrete Finishes
  • GFRC
  • Furniture Design

Then don't wait, enroll in your workshop(s) today! This will be the last training event that we conduct in Phoenix, we hope to see you there! 

The January 2016 Concrete Sink, Countertop and Fabric-Forming Workshops are Filling-Up FAST!

LEARN CONCRETE!

I have been hand-crafting high-end concrete sinks, countertops and furniture for over a decade, and still to this day every morning when I de-mold a piece it is like Christmas morning. It doesn't matter if it is a project where I am making 1 of something or 50, the excitement is the same. That's a great feeling that all humans should experience, and our training can give you the skills and confidence required to tackle projects for your home or business. We have classes that teach:

  • Concrete Countertops

  • Concrete Sinks

  • Concrete Furniture

  • Furniture Design

  • Fabric-Forming

This Christmas give yourself or your significant other the gift of knowledge. CLICK HERE to learn more about our "All-In Workshop Package." We hope to see you in a January Class!

The next 1.5 Day Furniture Design Workshop has been scheduled for September 26th and 27th!

With the Maker Movement picking up steam we have seen a tremendous increase in requests for dates for the next 1.5 Day Furniture Design Workshop. We have set it for September 26th-27th, 2015. This is the weekend after our 2.5 Day Fabric-Forming + GFRC Workshop. A popular request is to run these classes back-to-back to save on travel expenses, so here is your opportunity to attend both in a little more than a weeks time! 

Here are a few photos from the June Furniture Design Workshop:


That's a wrap! The June 2015 Fabric-Forming + GFRC Sink Workshop is in the books!

Sometimes we get a class of characters - that was the case with the June 2015 Fabric-Forming + GFRC Sink Workshop. It was one of the most fun classes I have taught because every attendee was engaged, happy and enjoyed getting to know their fellow concrete brethren. I hope we get to cross paths with these guys again! 

Another Great Class Is In The Books

Class Photo: August 2014 2.5 Day Fabric-Forming + GFRC Workshop

Class Photo: August 2014 2.5 Day Fabric-Forming + GFRC Workshop

Today we wrapped up the last 2.5 Day Fabric-Forming + GFRC Workshop for 2014, and I must say, it was a fine class. The attendees came up with great designs, and did an excellent job executing them. We're honored that they chose Concrete Design School, and we look forward to their continued success. 

The Importance of Good Design

Brandon Gore accepting the award for 'Best Furniture Design' at Dwell on Design

Brandon Gore accepting the award for 'Best Furniture Design' at Dwell on Design

Concrete is an amazing material. Unlike other artisan materials, concrete is created by the craftsman. What do I mean by this? Think about it - all other materials are equal in the hands of the expert, they are all preexisting. Wood is wood, metal is metal, Corian™ is Corian™, granite is granite, but concrete alone is a material that is made, and each person makes it slightly differently. This is really quite amazing and often times maddening, but there is beauty and discovery in chaos. 

Unlike other slab/sheet products (wood, metal, stone, etc.), concrete is amorphous. This is the genesis of limitless design, which is a blessing and a curse. I have said it before and I'll say it again, "just because you can doesn't mean you should." With great power comes great responsibility, and it is the duty of the concrete craftsman to exercise design restraint. 

Design is the primary purpose for which a client purchases a concrete product. Sure, the imperfect natural aesthetic is great, but a blob of concrete on the ground isn't alluring. It's the shape you coax the concrete into that gives it value, meaning and desirability. 

Our name, 'Concrete Design School' is not by accident. The elements and processes of great design are a key focus of our training. There is a method to the madness, and we'll share our insights with you.