Different Ways To Create Molds

In my searches for art made using natural texture I amply happened upon these links, showing varying ways to make molds. I think they're most wonderful and I'm planning on investing in lego immediately!

Fossil Mold
Julia Swan, March 11, 2011 (fossil, silicone, aluminum flashing)

Plaster on top of silicone

Paleontologists set up aluminum flashing barriers and pour silicone and plaster molds of fossils. If I ever happen across a fossil I now will definitely take a mold of it. However, I simply wanted to make a note of the aluminum flashing that they use to create their mold barrier, as the molding process is clearly every bit important to kiln casting as is the texture and the final outcome.

 
 Lego Fossil Mold
Andrea Godinez, December 20, 2011 (lego, silicone)

Two part fossil mold, half encased

An apparently common practice of building lego walls for silicone and plaster (with Vaseline) molds. The important note is for the ease of lego walls!

Puppet Hand / Lego Barrier
David Neat, April 19, 2012 (lego, plaster, silicone)

Polymer puppet hand in mold

First off, I highly suggest you view this link, because this person went into a LOT of detail and I can't possibly explain what they do, especially not with a single photo! A lego mold is set up to assist in the creation of a two part mold. I believe this process is made much easier by the fact that after pouring one half and doing as you please with the first half of the mold, all you have to do to add onto it is add one more layer of legos! It’s also a wonderfully easy way to create a perfect two part mold one object half at a time – whereas normally you would have to stand the hand up vertically, create awkward flashing and hand build the mold on each side!

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Silicone Demo

What You Need:
-Silicone type 1 (The stinkier and nastier the better!)
-Something pretty that you want to make a mold of (handmade or a found object)
-Water
-Soap
-A marker
-A base to build your mold on

 So I never forget lol, here are the pictures I took during Paula's silicone mold demo! This is the silicone you want~

 

Step 1: Attach your object firmly to the ground (err plastic sheet) with the use of clay. Draw an edge around your object - about an inch thick - so that after it's covered with silicone, you can keep track of your object/mold. Mark ahead of time where you are going to make the incision!

Step 2: USE SOAP! Soap up your object. You also want soap and water to be all up your arms. Lest awful, awful things will happen.

 

Step 3: It is easier when working with someone so you don't have to rush. Keep your hands UNDER the water, squirt the silicone into the water. Knead it together.

Step 4: Pat the silicone onto your object. Work quickly. Poke any air bubbles with a tooth pick.

By the way, don't try to make a silicone mold of a brass object if you care about it.

Step 5: Push the material up, force it to defy gravity and do what you want!

Step 6: Use a sheet of glass to make a nice flat spot on the bottom of your mold.

Step 7: When you de-mold - DO THIS IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS! - You want to cut your incision line in a zig zag. Only make your line as long as it has to be.When pouring wax into this mold, hold this zig zag incision together with T pins - they don't hurt your fingers :D.

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