Crafts/Mask making

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Expert: - 2/5/2010


Question
I was wondering if you could give me some ideas. I'm currently making a mask. I used my brothers face and used casting material to mold the shape. i'm now using clay and more casting material to shape the mask. but as you probally know the casting amterial will leave indents where the "plaster" didnt fill. I was wondering if you would know what could i use to give my mask a smooth finish? i though dry wall plaster but i'm not sure? any advice would help

thanks!

Answer
Dear Stacy:
There is a substance that we attempted to use to make molds for candles.  I can't remember the name of the product just now; but it is a spray that you use to coat the object that you wish to make a cast or mold for, in order to make a mask or candle or whatever.  You would probably be able to find it at a serious craft shop.  There are some shops that carry more types of products to use in crafts than others.  So, use your phone to find out if the shops near you have it, or know where you can purchase it.
Plaster is a tricky substance if you are not used to using it.  Perhaps it would be better if you finished it with craft clay.  You can purchase that over the internet or from most craft shops.  It is easier to work with than plaster, as it doesn't dry almost at once like plaster does.  It also lends itself to sandpapering, if necessary to smooth the surface.
Is your brother planning on using the mask in a play or some such?  If that's what it's for, & if it's not likely to be dropped too many times, you could probably use beeswax to cover the outside by dipping it into hot beeswax.  The temperature needs to be around 180 degrees Farenheit, so as to soften the surface to which you want it to adhere.  Anyone that has bees would know where you could get beeswax.  You can colour it as a painting, or put beeswax dye into small amounts of the wax & use as "paint".
I hope this has been at least a little helpful.  I will try over the next few days to send you the name of the first product I mentioned--the spray on stuff.  For, although it wasn't much good for our purposes, it may work very well as a coating for your mask.
Good luck!...
Dodie

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Dodie Casey

Expertise

I am able to answer questions regarding: ceramics, beeswax candles, cleaning things from other things, working with wood/pinecones/etc. in the making of centre pieces & wall hangings. I also have a Christmas Village that is approximately 60 square feet in area & takes, at this time, 3 days to assemble for the Christmas Season, but only one day to take down. I also am a great baker & cake/cookie/cupcake decorator (I made my own wedding cake, my sister's for her 25th wedding anniversary, & for two of my friends weddings) & chocolate user for fancy stuff. I have done some small quilting projects & am starting something known as a "Farm Quilt". It requires taking pictures of people, animals & farm buildings on the farm you are using for a model. These pics are then transfered onto the quilt & "quilted" into it. Great fun! Great Family Heirlooms! I know a little about bisque, but more about ceramics. I also do sewing pictures. No, I do not do needle point. The pics are drawn & then various stitches are used to create a three-dimentional appearance.

Experience

I have made many presents for others--Christmas, Birthdays, etc. Also, I sold crafts for several years. I have also worked with 4-h-ers for several years as a craft leader, goat leader, woodsman coach, & photography. Now, a friend & I have a business (more hers than mine:) making several varieties of pure beeswax candles. Not the cheepy ones you buy in the dollar store. We go through several hundred pounds of high-grade beeswax every year. It is more a natural, life-styles choice than just candles for burning. They are all natural in style although they take on various shapes as we learn more about versatility.

Organizations
I am still a 4-H leader in crafts & gardening. "The Garden Bee" is the name of my friend's company. You can view it at www.thegardenbee.com on her website, should you so desire. Also, I have recently retired after 16 years of directing our Church Choir.

Education/Credentials
I have a BSc in Psychology/Computer Sciences. As well, I have taken a couple of courses in ceramics & basic painting which have come in very handy over the years when doing various things with students & friends.

Awards and Honors
Absolutely none, unless you count the numberous children & adults who have shown their gratitude for the teaching/coaching/helping/providing that I have done over the years.

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