Resin Casting Project 3 and Giveaway: Making Molds

Can you tell which roses were store bought and which were cast at home?

Hey y'all.  It's Sarah.  I've been MIA for a couple of weeks as I've been feeling poorly, but I'm back now and I have one more resin starter kit from the folks at ETI to give away.  Woo-hoo!  All you need to do to win is leave a comment on this post.  You can comment about anything--what you like or don't like about the blog, resin crafting, the weather, your favorite tv show.  I'm not going to be picky this time.

The contest is open to anyone with a U.S. address.  One entry per person.  Be sure to leave us a way to contact you in your comment.  We'll accept entries until Monday, May 2, 2011.  Now, on with the crafting.



We are going to make molds using two great products from ETI's Castin' Craft line:  Easy Mold Silicone Putty and Easy Mold Silicone Rubber.  Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but they are both great products.  Let's start with the Silicone Putty.

ETI's Castin' Craft Easy Mold Silicone Putty

The greatest advantage of silicone putty is speed.  The greatest disadvantage is refinement.  If you want a crystal clear pour with a smooth finish, this is not the molding product to use.  If refinement or clarity aren't needed, this stuff is fab!  It's food safe and highly portable.

The button on the right was cast from a putty mold.  You can see that the surface is not as smooth as the yellow button cast from a rubber mold.

Let's take a look at just how easy to use this stuff is.

Start by taking equal amounts of part A and part B.

Mix the putty by smooshing the two colors together.

Continue smooshing until you have an uniform color.

Press the item you want to cast into the putty.  Press down evenly.

Let your mold dry for about 30 minutes and peel out the item you are casting.  That's it.  You've made a mold!

The teal roses were cast using a putty mold made from the red button.

Now, let's take a look at use the Easy Mold Silicone Rubber.  I have to admit, I love this stuff.  The detail you get from this stuff is stunning.  The drawback?  It takes 24 hours to dry.  Oh, the torture! It is, however, every bit as easy to use. (Aside:  there are a couple of different molds shown in the pictures.)

Start with a flat bottomed container not much larger than the item(s) you are casting.  Secure your items to the bottom of the container using double stick tape.

Mix equal parts of A and B until you have an uniform color.

Pour rubber into mold.  Do not pour directly onto the items you are casting.  Hold the container from which you are pouring 6-8 inches high to eliminate bubbles.

Now wait.

Once your mold is cured, bust it loose from the plastic container.

Here's the completed mold with the item from which it was cast.

The molds in use.

The finished product...  a casting of a vintage button.

So the question is, why make your own molds?  Let's take another look at the photo from the top of the page:

I purchased the blue and red roses at a bead store.  The cost $2 each.  I can now make as many as I want in whatever colors I want for pennies.  That's why you'd do this.  It's so awesome.

There it is.  I hope to have one more resin post for you before all this is done.