. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

You’ve probably seen examples of this wonderful art form on TV or on the internet – full-size, three-dimensional stone sculptures of babies’ hands and feet. These are called LifeCasts.

You have probably wondered how they did it and most people assume that it is too complicated or expensive to do. Not so …

The materials and techniques used by professional LifeCasters are neither expensive nor out of reach for most hobbyists. In fact, the cost of materials for a baby hand cast is no more than $ 4.00.

New parents are always eager for the cuteness of their baby. They cannot get enough of holding and kissing the baby’s hands and feet. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a sculpture of all that cuteness so that you can remember it and share it with the child as he grows up? They are also wonderful gifts for grandparents living away from the young family.

In fact, many young mothers are learning the technique, sharing it with their close friends, and starting LifeCasting businesses for fun and profit.

Here are the nuts and bolts:

LifeCasting is a “casting” and “casting” procedure. The most common molding material used is something called alginate (AL-jin-it). Alginate is sold as a powder. When you mix it with water, it forms a thick liquid. This liquid is put into a small container (bucket) and the baby’s hand or foot is pushed into the alginate mixture. In a minute or so, the alginate “sets” (changes from a liquid to a gummy solid). At this point, the baby’s hand or foot is gently pulled out of the mold, leaving a hole EXACTLY the same size and shape as the baby’s hand or foot.

At this point, the mold is “poured” with the casting material. The most common casting material is a type of plaster called gypsum cement (commonly called “stone”) that is much stronger than plaster of paris. Gypsum cement is mixed with water and poured into the mold until full. In about an hour, the stone has hardened and the alginate mold is removed revealing the mold.

Usually a little cleaning of the casting is required, but that’s basically it. The cast iron can be painted, but only after waiting a couple of days for the water to evaporate from the stone.

You will need a “bucket” that is large enough to accommodate your hand. A bucket that is too large will only require MORE alginate to fill the extra space. The baby’s hand or foot should not touch the inside of the bucket during the procedure or it will ruin the cast. For that reason, a clear or translucent plastic is best so you can see if your hand or foot is touching.

Alginates come in a variety of set times. Don’t get one with a long setting time because the baby can get fussy. Also look for an alginate that you can mix with warm water. If you start with 95 ° F water, the alginate will have cooled to about 92 ° F when you are ready to place your baby’s hand. This is great because the baby’s skin temperature is roughly the same. This way, sleeping babies almost never wake up and alert babies are much easier to distract with a rattle or toy of some kind. If they are not too aware of the alginate in their hand, there is less chance that they will move their hand or foot too much, which could ruin the mold.

Children from approximately 6 months to 3 years are extremely difficult on LifeCast. They just don’t get enough sleep and you still can’t explain WHY they should be happy to have their hands in a scary bucket of goo.

Some alginate manufacturers make “color changing” alginate for use in manual casting. Alginate turns bright pink when first mixed and fades to white about 40 seconds before it “sets.” This way you don’t have to run a stopwatch, just wait until the alginate is white before placing your baby’s hand or foot.

There is a lot of information available online. The search terms you would be looking for are Alginate or Lifecasting.

It really is not expensive or difficult to learn these techniques, but it IS a lot of fun.

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