Making a plaster cast of your hand or your child's hand is a fun project that leaves you with a perfect, ghostly hand replica to decorate or display. It makes a great conversation piece. While it is a bit of a challenge to create a perfect hand mold, with effort and patience, you can perfect the process so that every detail is visible, including veins and even fingerprints.
Instructions
1. Find a somewhat flexible plastic container for your mold. This container should be just large enough so the hand you are molding will fit without touching the sides, and tall enough to come a few inches past the wrist. If the container is too large, you'll waste a lot of alginate filling it up. For an adult hand, a 2-qt. pitcher or bucket will do. For a child's hand, a smaller container, such as a beach pail, will work fine. Trace the bottom of the pail on wax paper and cut out the circle. Line the bottom of the container with the waxed paper. Trim the waxed paper so that it lies flat on the bottom.
2. Work near a sink or a hose. Spread a drop cloth on your workspace floor to protect it, and place newspaper layers around the sink or counter where you will be mixing.
3. Place your hand in the container and suspend it in there, a couple of inches from the bottom. Pour water in the container until the water comes up just below the creases in your wrist. Remove your hand. Pour the water into measuring cups to see how many ounces of water you have. Return the water to the container without spilling any so the measurement doesn't change.
4. For every 6 oz. of water you measured, use about 1 oz. of alginate. Don't measure the alginate in a cup; weigh it on the kitchen scale. For example, if you have 12 fluid oz. of water, you will need 2 oz., by weight, of alginate. Weigh out the correct amount of alginate.
5. Begin adding the alginate to the water, a little at a time, as you stir it. You will have to stir it for several minutes. It is ready when it is thick and smooth. Pick up the container and bang it on the counter or floor a few times, and then tap it around the edges and bang it a few more times to release air bubbles.
6. Soak your hand in a container of water for a few seconds. Shake off the excess water so that it is not dripping. Hold the fingers of the hand you will be molding together to make your hand flat and stiff. Very slowly, insert it into the center of the alginate mixture. Push it down slowly until the alginate comes up to the wrist. Gently move the hand partway into a fist and straight again, and wiggle your fingers to encase it into the alginate. Then, pose your hand the way you want the cast to look. Avoid curling your fingers up; keep them slightly bent or fairly straight. They do not have to be touching. Be sure your fingers are not touching the bottom or sides of the container; keep them in the middle.
7. Keep your hand as still as possible. Soon you will begin to feel the alginate thicken and set. Leave it in there about 15 to 20 minutes, until the alginate sets. Poke the top of the alginate with the finger of your other hand to see if it has firmed up.
8. Gently begin moving the wrist back and forth slightly until the alginate begins to pull away from your skin. Wiggle your hand and fingers to continue loosening its grip on the hand, and carefully work the hand out of the alginate, trying not to tear the mold.
9. Turn the bucket of alginate upside-down and set it on a stack of newspapers. Allow it to dry overnight.
10. In an old bucket or disposable container, mix your plaster according to the package directions. When it is ready to pour, use a small plastic cup to take an ounce or two and pour it into the mold, directly into the fingers. Pick up the mold and swirl it around. Add another ounce or two. Turn the mold on its side and roll it completely around, allowing the plaster to coat all the sides. Turn it upside-down and empty the plaster back into the plaster-mixing container. This will ensure the sides are well coated and avoid air bubbles.
11. Pour more plaster into the mold to fill up the finger holds. Bang the mold around the sides, pick up the container again and bang the bottom on the counter or floor to release air bubbles. If any rise up, pop them with your finger or a pencil point.
12. Slowly pour more plaster to fill the mold to the top. Bang it and tap it again to release air bubbles. Allow the plaster to set overnight.
13. Carefully insert a long knife on the side of the container and cut around the sides to loosen the alginate from the mold. Turn the mold upside-down. Gently squeeze the container and tug at the sides of the alginate to work the entire mass out of the container. Don't let it fall as you remove it.
14. Tear away the alginate from the plaster cast. Some will remove easily, though you may need a toothpick or butter knife to work some of it out of the finer creases. Be gentle and work slowly, being careful not to scar the plaster.
15. Allow your plaster to air-dry further. When it's dry, you can wipe it carefully with a damp cloth to remove dust or debris. Leave it as it is and display it, or paint it and decorate it however you like.
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