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Creativity => Arts & Crafts Corral => Topic started by: MikeysGrrrl on November 14, 2016, 03:57:29 AM

Title: Advice needed regarding silicone mold (not custom related)
Post by: MikeysGrrrl on November 14, 2016, 03:57:29 AM

I purchased a few silicone molds so I could make some Christmas ornaments and I'm not sure what I can put in them to make the mold/cast it. I've tried googling for answers but I'm either wording it wrong or I'm just completely lost on what they are talking about in various articles.

I know I can melt crayons, candle wax and soap... but I'm really looking for more long term options. These molds have very fine details so I'm definitely wanting something that will capture them as best as possible.

Open to any and all suggestions... the only thing I have ever used before is sculpey clay bricks and I cant get it soft enough to capture the details.

Thanks in advance :)

Title: Re: Advice needed regarding silicone mold (not custom related)
Post by: Baby Sugarberry on November 14, 2016, 04:29:04 AM

Most silicone moulds are designed for two part epoxy resin, which you mix and then pour.  There's some definite technique to it especially since you likely don't have a vacuum chamber, and it can be quite smelly, potentially messy and expensive but with very eye catching results.  Plaster of paris might do the trick as well but can be heavy and fragile, or paper pulp mixed with glue if the finished piece is hollow/shallow.  Depends on the mould design really.  Maybe one of the softer air dry clays like Crayola Model Magic? 

Title: Re: Advice needed regarding silicone mold (not custom related)
Post by: Taxel on November 14, 2016, 04:43:20 AM

Polymer clay is excellent for silicone molds and this (https://thebluebottletree.com/using-silicone-molds-polymer-clay/) is a great tutorial. If you're buying it from a craft store its probably just been sitting there for years. You best bet is to order online from a reputable dealer so you'll get fresh clay. I've never ordered from either one, but I've seen Shades of Clay (http://shadesofclay.com/) and Polymer Clay Canada (https://polymerclaycanada.com/) recommended by reputable sources.

Don't waste your money on Sculpey III because its very brittle and not a good choice for something like ornaments. I would recommend Premo. As long as you bake (https://thebluebottletree.com/baking-polymer-clay/) it correctly it'll be quite strong (https://thebluebottletree.com/review-of-cernit-polymer-clay/#Strong).

Title: Re: Advice needed regarding silicone mold (not custom related)
Post by: Raindrop on November 14, 2016, 08:54:50 PM

I have seen a newish product that you melt in a hot glue gun and mold.  The resulting shapes are flexible, but it captures nice detail.  I have heard that you can use plain hot glue as well for translucent items.

Title: Re: Advice needed regarding silicone mold (not custom related)
Post by: kestral_kitsune on November 17, 2016, 06:43:12 PM

Quote from: Raindrop on November 14, 2016, 08:54:50 PM

I have seen a newish product that you melt in a hot glue gun and mold.  The resulting shapes are flexible, but it captures nice detail.  I have heard that you can use plain hot glue as well for translucent items.

I've seen a vid where someone simply used a hot glue gun to make molds out of some trinkets

Title: Re: Advice needed regarding silicone mold (not custom related)
Post by: Snapdragon on November 19, 2016, 05:38:00 PM

Quote from: kestral_kitsune on November 17, 2016, 06:43:12 PM

Quote from: Raindrop on November 14, 2016, 08:54:50 PM

I have seen a newish product that you melt in a hot glue gun and mold.  The resulting shapes are flexible, but it captures nice detail.  I have heard that you can use plain hot glue as well for translucent items.

I've seen a vid where someone simply used a hot glue gun to make molds out of some trinkets

That's really clever, I never would have considered hot glue! :O They also make hot glue sticks that are glittery, and in different colors, too! I bet those would be awesome! ^_^

I've just bought some silicone to make my own mold, so I am with you in the whole 'newbie trying to figure this out' thing! I started out with a resin by a company called "Little Windows" (which is online!), and it's primarily a "doming resin", which means you pour it onto images to make buttons or raised pendants, etc. I'm not sure it would be the right item for you with your molds, but I found the process with their resin very easy and good for beginners. It's a low-smell resin, supposedly you can use it inside it's so safe! (I haven't tried it myself, since resin is still resin, and I wanna play it safe with my lungs!) It was very nice for me to work with, personally, and a very good start for a newbie with resin! :) You don't need a respirator or anything, which you do with some other resins! 

Another item that might benefit you, if you're looking into clay, is something called "Mod Podge Collage Clay", which I found at Michael's! It's basically the American answer to the Japanese "decoden" craft frosting, but one of the intended uses for this stuff is to be poured into molds, then painted! It's lightweight and fluffy, so it might not get all of the definition you're looking for, but it's worth a look? It's only $10, and Michael's has 50% off coupons all the time, and it's pretty easy to work with!