Last month Braxton-Bragg began offering an introduction to the use of decorative concrete -a versatile, economical and customer-pleasing alternative to traditional granite and marble countertops.

The Buddy Rhodes Training Program is now available monthly at the company's headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. The hands-on classes will be kept small, and will provide a two-day introduction to the Buddy Rhodes countertop making process and products.

Buddy Rhodes is one of the leading lights of the concrete countertop movement, a man with the eye of an artist and the touch of a craftsman. "He's one of the head gurus," Kurt Alexander, Braxton-Bragg corporate trainer, said.

Decorative concrete countertops are customizable to the tastes and needs of homeowners with a variety of color and texture options. No two are alike. Created from inexpensive materials, the expense of handmade, decorative concrete comes from the design and creation. The key is the Buddy Rhodes decorative materials used, packed by hand into custom-designed forms.

"Because of the versatility of Buddy Rhodes mix, countertops can actually be cast in place or cast in a workshop and transported for installation. Whether a hard trowel, signature hand pressed or a traditional form and pour technique is desired, it can all be done with Buddy Rhodes mix, said Zachary Coletti, owner of Coletti Concrete Studio and a certified Buddy Rhodes Method trainer."

"You can customize this so much. The only limitation you have is your own artistic imagination. Customers can get just about anything done in the concrete color they want. It's a crafted work of art, and it's individually done to suit individual taste," added Alexander

With the economic downturn has come the opportunity for builders to experiment with economical and intriguing alternatives to traditional materials. "We're trying to offer some education to our customers so that they can offer a wider selection of products for their customers," Alexander explained.

There has been a decrease in demand for traditional granite and stone countertops in homes due to the downturn, Alexander said. As homeowners look for both style and economy, though, designers are increasingly turning to cast concrete countertops. "The concrete countertop is becoming a very sought after commodity in a lot of high-end homes. It's all about people extending their businesses and leaving them open to what the customer might want."

An expanded, two day, hands-on workshop option will provide an overview with beginning hands-on experience with materials and methods involved with creating a simple concrete countertop either pre-cast, cast-in-place or pressed. This includes planning, templating, mold-making, mixing and coloring, forming techniques, and reinforcement options.

Concrete countertops are one-of-a kind products, even more so than natural stone products. "You are never going to get exactly the same concrete countertop as your neighbor-thats the nature of the crafting process," Alexander said.

Braxton-Bragg kicked off its workshop series on August 12 and 13 with a class by Master Artisan Zachary Coletti, whose work combines old world techniques and ecologically friendly materials to produce products with handmade character, strength and versatility. His Coletti Concrete Studio is a leading firm in artisan concrete design and creation in Sebastian, Florida.

The students were provided with an overview and beginning experience with the materials and methods involved with creating a simple concrete tile, a pressed vanity project. and cast-inplace project. Attendees got gloves-on experience with mix consistency, color ratios, reinforcement, pressing technique, grinding, and sealing and waxing. Also covered was pour and vibrate methods and GFRC techniques, troubleshooting and many tips of the trade from Coletti.

The Buddy Rhodes workshops are appropriate for do-it-yourselfers and anyone new to the craft of decorative concrete forming. Participants are given a basic overview of concrete countertop creation and the introductory experience necessary to begin making their own decorative concrete countertops.

"These classes are deliberately kept small," Alexander said. "The attendees can get handson experience and a lot of face-to-face time with the trainer."

The first workshop was attended by an interesting mix of aspiring concrete crafters, some getting their first experience with the material, but all seeking to expand their custom countertop abilities with the signature Buddy Rhodes decorative concrete forming concepts.

During the second day of instruction, the group practiced specific finishing techniques, culminating in the completion of a hand-packed vanity sink. Students left the class with a basic overview of concrete countertop creation and the information and introductory experience necessary to start practicing in the home shop. "There is a smaller amount of equipment you need to invest in to be able to fabricate them," Alexander said. "The valuable techniques we're offering in these classes will take the students a long ways down the road to a whole world of exciting opportunities."

Buddy Rhodes Workshop fee includes all training materials, demonstrations and a full day of hands-on training in Buddy Rhodes forming methods, lunches and lodging for one night. Discounted dining will also be available for attendees.

For more information about the Buddy Rhodes seminars, contact Kurt Alexander at 800-575-4401, ext. 235.

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