Don’t worry if some of the plaster doesn’t reach the tips of the fingers, it adds to the ghastly feel of the hands. Work carefully as you don’t want to break the plaster with any force.īe especially careful around the fingers. Use your craft knife to help cut open the mold. Turn the pitcher over and because water will be released from the alginate overnight, it will slide right out. When you’re ready to remove the casting, bring the molds to a sink. Pound the sides and bottom of the pitcher with force to rid of any air bubbles. Allow to set and dry overnight. Turn the mold at an angle so the plaster can reach the fingers in the mold. Again, work quickly as you have about 10 minutes before it begins to set.Ĭarefully about half a cup into the mold. Mix the plaster thoroughly with another wooden dowel. *** Please note: do NOT let the plaster mixture to touch your hands – it can severely burn your skin! The plaster mixture ratio is 2 parts plaster powder to 1 part cold water. Once your fingers are wiggled loose, you can rotate your wrist and then your arm. Whatever you do, don’t yank your hand out. Loosen your hand first by wiggling your fingers. Once you’re not able to move your fingers and the top of the mixture feels hard to the touch with the other hand, the alginate is set. Slightly wiggle your fingers every few minutes. Keep that arm position and insert your arm into the mixture. Keep as still as you can for 8-10 minutes. Make a fist, pretending to hold a candlestick upright. It will start to set in a matter of minutes. You’ll want to work quickly once your alginate is mixed. Stir vigorously until it’s all mixed and most of the lumps are out. Measure the same volume of powder and pour into the pitcher. The ratio of water to alginate powder should be 1:1. Remove your arm and measure the water level. Pour out any excess water so that the water level is at least an inch below the rim. Make a fist and sink it to the bottom of the pitcher. You’ll be making quite a mess! Fill the pitcher with warm water. Start by working on a covered surface, well ventilated area and close to a water source. After all, they were dug up from 6 feet under. The flaws add to the feel of the candlestick holders. A piece of advice before starting: embrace the imperfections, which are bound to happen, especially if this is your first time casting. It was my first attempt at casting using plaster and I must say, it’s one of the most satisfying processes. But not without adding my own little twist, of course. When I spotted a pair of candlestick holders, casted from plaster, via the one and only Martha Stewart, I knew I had to recreate them. So now that Halloween is just around the corner, I am ready for the ghoulish and the macabre. I love the challenge that the holidays bring as each year, I find myself aiming to turn up each project just a few more notches from the previous year.
#PLASTER HAND MOLD FULL#
My DIY antennae are always in full sensory mode, especially at the start of fall.