SINGLE LAYER CASTING (BEGINNER)
Kids love to help with this holiday project! As a variation you might try adding two drops of red or green transparent dye for polyester resin to each ounce of resin in addition to the catalyst. The finished ornament will then have a deep colored design and a pastel frosted back ground |
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FROSTED ORNAMENTS |
MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE SIX ORNAMENTS
3 MC-1 Poly Molds (2” x 1-1/2” x 1”)
3 MC-3 Poly Molds (2-3/8” diameter x 1-1/8")
3 Oz. Casting Resin
Catalyst
1 Stir Stick
1 Graduated Paper Mixing Cup
1 Set Pre-Cut Adhesive Vinyl Stencils . such as Quick Silver Super Stencils 1-1/2" Holiday Designs
1 X-Acto™ Knife
1 6-Oz. Can Translucent Frost Spray Finish—such as Satin Mist”
Transparent Nylon Thread or Gold or Silver Cord
Electric Drill and 1/16” drill bit
Optional: Tiny Gold or Silver Braid Epoxy Glue or Bond Cement
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INSTRUCTIONS:
First Layer
- In a mixing cup measure and mix thoroughly 3 ounces of casting resin and 45 drops of catalyst. (Note: The high amount of catalyst called for in this project is necessary due to the thinness of the single-layer pour. Undercatalyzing will make it difficult if not impossible to remove the casting from the mold.)
- Pour ½ Oz. of resin mixture into each of the six molds.
- Allow castings to harden completely before unmolding. (4-24 hours)
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REMOVE CASTING FROM MOLD
- When cured, casting will shrink away from the edges of the mold. The surface will click-hard’ when tapped with a stir stick.
- Invert mold, grasp edges, flex and allow the casting to gently drop onto a piece of Mylar’ or waxed paper.
- Do not handle cast pieces until they are completely dried. This may take several days.
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FINISHING
- Place a disc in a vise or flat on a scrap piece of wood.
- Slowly drill a hole through cast disc," ¼ " down from top of ornament. Repeat for other discs.
- Apply a ‘pressure-sensitive’ stencil to the back of each plastic ornament. Carefully peel off unwanted portions of stencil with an X-Acto™’ knife.
- Place ornaments, stencil side up, on a sheet of plastic wrap.
- Spray stencil side of ornaments with frosting, following directions on can label. (Repeat with additional coats if desired.)
- Allow to dry thoroughly before carefully peeling away stencils with the aid of an X-Acto™’ Knife.
- If desired, use epoxy glue or bond cement to attach gold or silver braid trim.
- For each ornament cut an 8” length of transparent nylon thread or cord. Thread through hole in ornament and tie ends in square knot.
Other Ideas: Frosted ornaments can be used to make a holiday wind chime. Or, if you can locate initial stencils, spell out “MERRY CHRISTMAS” and string to use with evergreen boughs over your doorway or mantel. |
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