First of all I will tell you a bit about myself, so you can tell whether you can make such a fireplace:

• I am a grandma age 66
• I do a lot of heavy gardening so I am not physically as old as my age..I think...I hope
• I love crafts and am blessed with visions in my head at all times!
• I have a handy-man husband who will help when needed.  (I think the most important element)

The fireplace measures 4' x 4' and 6" deep.  We spent approximately $16.00  for one 8 x 4 foot  piece of low quality plywood and cut it into the size.  You could make it taller, but the proportions didn't look right when we tried a 6 foot tall piece.  I didn't want to go back to town for another piece to make it wider. I had my husband make a 6 inch deep insert for the fireplace firewall area.  This piece actually made the whole fireplace have some stability. He also put strips on the sides the same depth. The frame work was made from 1 x 1 pieces that we had lying around.  I tried to use materials that I had instead of buying it.

I made this fireplace to use to set up a retail space showing my rustic decor items that I sell. It actually makes a great shelves to add product to along with giving me the rustic feel that I was trying to get.  I made a ladder from aspen trees to hang my Wooded River throws on and also attached twig pieces to the front of a bookcase.  I find people sitting in this area just to rest in a very warm comfortable space.  I got the look I was going for and more!

Here's the Aspen Ladder

1. My neighbor had given me the Indian head that is a paper mold.  I figured it would make sure that my fireplace looked rustic,but you could use any picture or simply fill it in with rock. 
2. I also had  pieces of an old table that my husband burned!  I saved the legs and some of the top.  My husband cut the round legs in half to be on either side of the Indian and in quarters to run along the top under the mantle.  They help brace the mantle.
3. At this point, I could see the total piece coming together.  I looked on the internet to read about faux rock, river rock and faux fireplaces.  It only confirmed what I had seen in my head.
4. I really wanted some of that fake rock, but it was too costly for my project.  Even with the less expensive sheets, it would be way over $100.  Wallpaper also could have been used, but I was worried about it looking flat.
5. I went to town in search of flat styrofoam for the flagstone I had decided would look good.  River Rock takes a lot of carving.  I wasn't in the mood for styrofoam floating about in my life forever!. I found the styrofoam in the trash outside a furniture store and stuffed it into the back of my car.
6. Jim (my husband) then fastened a piece of the table top on the top for a mantle.  It had a nice rounded edge already to enjoy!
7. He also inserted another piece of the table top for the shelf in the fire box.
8. I then painted the entire fireplace black with the front being mixed with white to create a grout look. I painted it inside the house, so it would dry faster.
9. I went out to the garage to roll out beige on the styrofoam for a starting color to enhance later.  Now, the problem was just how many dogs were going to run across the pieces!  Sadie, the lab, was the first.  She ran through the garage to get to her food when Jim made the dog dish sound!  Maggie was next, but I couldn't really get too upset.  Dogs are dogs.  The two other dogs managed to stay clear of my work area on the floor of the garage.
10. The hot glue in my hand, plenty of handy glue sticks ready, I sat on the floor inside the house to break up styrofoam and glue it in place.  I found out that the pre-painted pieces probably were not that necessary.  I'm not sure I would pre-paint them if I ever did it again.
11. At this point, my excitement turned to dread!  It sure looked terrible. All one shade is not what you want.
12. I got out every color I could think of to shade the "flagstone".  I had at least 6-8 bottles of craft paint including bronze; which I really liked.  With sponges, brushes and whatever seemed to work the best, I kept adding colors and the fireplace started to look wonderful!  It was like putting make up on.  I kept layering to get the look I was going for.
    
13. I found that I wanted to fill in where the flagstone was too far apart.  These were just white pieces stuck here and there cut with a knife to fit.  I wonder what a real rock person would say about my lack of rock laying ability?
14. I spent several hours painting and then the next day, I would find more to do. I also jazzed up the inside of the fire box with sponging of gold, brown and bronze.  I could have painted for weeks, but quit to keep my sanity.

 My neighbor's gift of the Indian head

The mantle works as a display area for my rustic product. 

 Here it is placed in a local store.  We put some brackets to hold the fireplace to the wall, so there is no danger of it tipping.

You can see here the "firebox" where I have put flickering rustic lights and other product. You can see the gold and bronze that I sponged on the background.

When Christmas season is over and I no longer need the display, I  may donate the  fireplace to the local theater group.  It will make me sad to see it go.

If anyone needs additional pictures or instructions, feel free to contact me. I would be happy to send more pictures, if you need them.  You can see some more detail in the pictures below. Don't forget to vote on this guide.  It keeps the wheels of eBay selling going around!