Trouble with hand cast/mold...

[thedevinemissm]

Hiya! We're working on Christmas gifts right now. We don't have tons of money ~ but even if we did, we're not really into the commercialism of the holidays. We do find it a great opportunity to send portraits and nifty things the kids make.

Anyway, we were hoping to do the plaster cast of the kids hands. It's not going very well. We've already "ruined" 3 kits. Can't keep DD's hand still long enough. We finally thought we had it and when we pulled the plaster from the mold, she didn't have any fingers!!!! DS's came out OK, but his fingertips were "smushed". It's hard to get our 3yo and 2yo to do it with the precision the directions require. :

Does anyone have any tips for how to do this? Or is there a specific brand/technique that you would recommend?

Please help!!!!

[TortelliniMama]

What if you just used Crayola Model Magic? It wouldn't require keeping their hands still to let it set. You could just roll it out, press the hand in, let go, and see how it looks. If it's good, let it air dry. If not, smush it up and try again.

[Flor]

I did one of those plaster kits with ds. Maybe yours is taking to long to set because his turned out fine and he was 6 months old! He did make his hand in a fist though. Maybe not as cute, but still we can see the size ,etc. Which kit are you using?

[littleteapot]

[jlpumkin]

I've done this method with my daycare kids - all turned out great. I'm not sure if it's what you are looking for.

I filled tupperware containers (or anything really) with sand. Push their hand or foot into the sand and push down pretty firmly. Mix up some plaster of paris (from a box - like $3 for a big box) and glop it in the impression. Let dry then brush off the sand. You can probably do maybe 12 - 15 with the one box and just keep reusing the sand in the container (you have to make a new impression each time though).

Great idea though!

[thedevinemissm]

Originally Posted by jlpumkin

I filled tupperware containers (or anything really) with sand. Push their hand or foot into the sand and push down pretty firmly. Mix up some plaster of paris (from a box - like $3 for a big box) and glop it in the impression. Let dry then brush off the sand. You can probably do maybe 12 - 15 with the one box and just keep reusing the sand in the container (you have to make a new impression each time though.

DH wants to know if the sand is damp/moist? Do you use any specific type of sand?

[jlpumkin]

Sorry! That was important!! Yes, the sand is slightly moist - just enough so it holds the shape - like when you build a sand castle. I just use sand out of our sandbox. Have fun!