Mold Making 101

I've been playing around with making some molds.   For the most part, my molds look like alien pod birthing stations.  I've used Amazing Mold Putty, which is a two part system.  You knead equal amounts of Part A into Part B for a minute and then make your press mold by pushing the face into the putty.  Push straight down, don't twist as you do this.  

Another way to do this is to lay the putty over a doll's face or head.  But then you have to put the mold onto a stable base after that.  Keep that in mind.  That's how I did my first molds.  But the sidewalls were not strong enough to press clay into those molds without distortion.  You need a strong sidewall. 

I plan to make a press mold for paperclay of Izannah faces and other designs of mine.  That way I will have the basic understructure, which can be customized with a second sculpting and still result in a one of a kind doll.   That eliminates sculpting the same basic facial structure over and over and over.

Once the molds are made with this putty, you can press paperclay into them and bake the mold and paperclay in the oven until the paperclay is mostly dry.  Then you remove the faces and flip it over so the side that was aganst the mold can dry.  I've been using a 200 degree oven.  I'm pleased with the learning I'm doing.  But it comes at a financial cost to make all these mistakes.  ;-) 

~ Dixie Redmond

10 comments:

Robin's Egg Bleu said...

I tried mold making and was very disappointed. But I tried using plaster on a paperclay head. Doesn't work. Apparently you can only use paperclay or paper mache clay in rubber molds. Although you can do traditional papier mache in a plaster mold. Gets confusing!

Erika said...

Dear Dixie, I love this idea, to make molds for faces. Sometimes I have problems to form a lovely face for an Zzannah inspired doll. Maybe I have not enough talent or not enough patience with myself ... however, I love your project and the idea behin it.
Sending greetings and a big thanks for your inspiration.
Erika

Judi Hunziker said...

I am definately going to give this a try after seeing your pictures. It depends on how expensive the product is in case I really mess it up and have to throw it away, :) My husband Mark said he wants to try mold making so it would be a great project for both of us to learn together. Thanks for the tips, ♥

Judi Hunziker said...

Dixie, how much should I order for a dolls head? I found it on Amazon for $24.99 but I don't know if one package is going to be enough, thanks~Judi

fabricholic dollmaker said...

I never tried Amazing Putty. I like to use the Smooth-on silicone to make molds for air drying clays. I let the clay air-dry in the molds. Silicone is very flexible if you face has an undercut. I have never tried baking the clay in the mold.

A mold release is needed(can use a talc powder)on plaster. I used a liquid air drying clay called Flumo in a plaster mold and it worked great.

Dixie Redmond said...

Hi, Robin - this silicon putty is very good with paperclay. It pops right out.

Dixie Redmond said...

Erika - it comes with practice. I've been doing this for 6 years and my early Izannah dolls show that I needed practice! ;-)

Dixie Redmond said...

If you just want to try making a face mask that is the amount to get. But once you start you will love the process and will order more! ;-)

Dixie Redmond said...

Thanks for those tips. I want to try the Smooth-on at some point but right now am focused on this technique and learning what I can. :-)

The Creative Bohemian said...

I love a good tutorial, Dixie! Thanks for sharing.


"Do not let what you cannot do
keep you from doing what you can do."

John Wooden