| Castin'Craft Idea Book |
4-LAYER CASTING (INTERMEDIATE)
What a nice way to remember someone you care about! For this project I’ve embedded a giant brass key (found at a local discount import store) and a photo glued onto a red acrylic heart. The jumbo paper clip makes this project an eye-catching and practical desk accessory for use at home or at the office. You can personalize this note holder by embedding photos, ticket stubs, or other keepsakes. |
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“KEY TO MY HEART”NOTE HOLDER |
MATERIALS NEEDED
1 1-1/2” x 1-1/2” x 1/8” Acrylic Plastic Heart with photo cut and glued onto the front. A peel-and-press heart sticker may be substituted
1 MC-8 Poly Mold (3” x 6” x 1-1/16”)
9 Oz. Polyester Casting Resin
Catalyst
4 Graduated Paper Mixing Cup
4 Stir Sticks
Color Pigment for Polyester Casting Resin
1 5” long Brass Key
Acetone or Rubbing Alcohol for clean-up
Electric Drill with 1/8” drill bit
1 6” Jumbo Paper Clip with a screw tail. (Check hobby or stationery store. The one I used is manufactured by W. T. Rodgers Co., Madison, Wisc.)
Optional: Self-adhesive felt circles, available at variety or craft stores. |
INSTRUCTIONS:
If using a peel-and-press heart sticker which is readily available at stationery stores.
- Mount the sticker on a piece of cardboard and trim.
- Glue photo to face of sticker and seal sticker front and cardboard back with ULTRA-SEAL™ white vinyl resin/glue, or four parts of white glue mixed with one part of water. Allow to dry thoroughly before embedding.
- This procedure will keep the sticker and photo from curling and ‘wetting out’ once it’s been embedded in casting resin.
First Layer
- In paper mixing cup measure and mix thoroughly 3 ounces of casting resin and 12 drops of catalyst.
- Pour into level mold and allow to gel about 20 to 25 minutes.
Second Layer
- Place brass key onto gelled layer.
- In clean paper mixing cup measure and mix thoroughly 2 ounces of casting resin and 6 drops of catalyst.
- Pour over key and first gelled layer.
- Allow this layer to gel about 20 minutes.
Third Layer
- In a clean paper mixing cup measure and mix thoroughly 2 ounces of casting resin and 4 drops of catalyst.
- Pour half of this mixture onto the second gelled layer.
- Carefully place heart with photo side down into the resin you’ve just poured. Gently press heart with stir stick to force out any trapped air bubbles.
- Pour remaining half of catalyzed resin into mold over the heart.
- Allow this layer to firm gel about 20 minutes.
Fourth Layer
- In a clean paper mixing cup measure and mix thoroughly 2 ounces of casting resin, 4 to 6 drops of color pigment, and 2 drops of catalyst.
- Pour over gelled surface. Do not overfill mold.
- Allow casting to completely cure or harden before removing from the mold (about 12 to 24 hours). When cured, the casting will shrink away from the sides of the mold. The surface will be ‘click-hard’ when tapped with a stir stick.
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REMOVE CAST FROM MOLD
- Invert mold, flex edges, and allow the casting to gently drop out onto a sheet of Mylar™ or plastic wrap.
- Do not handle casting until it is completely tack-free.
FINISHING
- Using the 1/8 bit, drill a hole the length of the paper clip screw, 1/2” down from the front center of the cast piece.
- Screw the jumbo paper clip into the hole you’ve drilled.
- Press a self-adhesive felt circle to each corner of the back of the casting to protect furniture.
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