Cast Craft Molds
Moldmaking, which is the process used to create an impression of an object or design, is key for crafters and artists who wish to make copies of an original design. The most common material for creating a mold for a craft project is plaster, as it is fairly inexpensive and easy to work with. Plaster craft molds can be used to make design copies in a variety of materials, such as latex, fiberglass and even plaster itself.
Instructions
1. Sculpt your original craft design in a water-based clay. Spray the entire finished design with a clear sealer spray, such as Krylon Crystal Clear. Let the spray dry thoroughly.
2. Divide your sculpture into identical halves by placing a thin string of modeling clay all around the sculpture. Place your sculpture in a clean, well-protected workspace.
3. Place 3 cups of water or less into a bucket, depending on the size of your sculpture. Add gypsum to the water to create plaster, stopping when your mixture has become thick and soupy. Stir the mixture well with a paintbrush.
4. Paint plaster onto one side of the sculpture, filling in all the crevices and small details. Do not paint over the modeling clay wall. Let this layer dry thoroughly.
5. Paint plaster onto the opposite side of the sculpture in the same manner. Also let this side dry.
6. Mix a larger amount of plaster in your bucket. Apply a second layer of plaster to one side of the sculpture, then put a layer of burlap strips over the wet plaster.
7. Paint a third layer of plaster over the burlap strips. Let this layer dry completely.
8. Continue adding layers of plaster and burlap until the mold is thick enough for your purposes. For a small sculpture, three layers will be sufficient. For a large sculpture, you may need many more layers for the mold to be strong enough. Let the plaster dry for at least two hours.
9. Repeat Steps 6 through 8 on the opposite side of the sculpture. Let the entire mold dry for at least one day.
10. Pull the plaster mold halves apart. Clean out all the clay from the inside of the mold. If necessary, gently scrub the inside of the mold with dish soap and water. Dry the mold thoroughly when finished.
11. Coat the inside of the craft mold with mold release and let it dry thoroughly. Push the mold halves together and secure them with rubber bands.
12. Carve a hole in the top of the mold, at the seamline, using a craft knife or razor. If your plaster is particularly thick, you may need to drill the hole.
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