After a very long break from writing here, I’m back again! I hope to continue with regular updates from now on. I recently lost my job, (not because of the Corona pandemic), and therefore I have plenty of time to do my hobbies.
I have been quite busy with making moulds for garden decorations. My funniest project is to make small ducks to have around my pond. It will look silly and so nice! I have made latex moulds on different rubber ducks and now I have cast more than 100 small ducks to put in the garden.
I’m still working on a bigger duck mould and hopefully it will be ready for casting within a week or so.
To paint all the ducks is very painful for my shoulders so I can only paint about 15 ducks a day. I use Inka Gold when painting and it looks so good!
/Monica
First off, I’m sorry about your job. I hope you are doing well aside from this set back. As always, you amaze me! I’ve been following you for a long time, and I’m always excited when I get to see what you’ve been up to. You are such a creative lady. How did you make the molds, Monica?
I’m doing very well, thank you. Now I have more time to be creative so I’m not that sorry to have lost my job, I will manage anyhow.
Making latex molds are easy but takes long time because you have to put so many layers of latex on. The bigger mold the more layers it needs.
To make a mold you need an object to mold, liquid latex, latex thickener, brush and a flat surface to work on.
Attach the object on the flat surface using hot glue. Apply latex with the brush on the object and around the object to make a flange around it. Ensure there are no air bubbles trapped in the latex by blowing on the bubbles so they burst. Let the latex dry before adding the next layer.
For the smaller ducks I put on about 20 layers of latex (two layers a day), the big duck will probably need about 30 layers. The smaller ducks can be casted directly in the mold but the big one will need a support to keep the shape when casting. I will use plaster bandages to make the support for this.
Wow, Monica, that is a lot of work, but they look darling and I bet you feel good when you look at all that you have accomplished.
So Glad your back , you’ve been missed
HI i was just wondering do you do moulds for the ducks if so how do i get one and do you do other molds i live in the uk and love the things that you do you are very talented thanks
Hi Wendy, I’m sorry but I only make moulds for my own use. You can buy latex moulds from eBay, just search for latex duck mould and you will find several different moulds to choose from.
thank you i will look love the colour you have done
Oh my goodness! I just found your blog today and I have been enjoying it tremendously! Your art just makes me smile as its just beautiful. I was wondering if you have ever thought of doing an actual step by step tutorial on how to make a mold, then use it with concrete, and then show the finished product? Just something to think about because I know I would love to learn!!! Thanks again for sharing your art with others… Ahh-mazing!
Hi Chrissy, I’m so glad you enjoy my website. I do a lot of different crafting and other stuff and like to share whatever I find interesting to make. I will consider to make a step by step tutorial on making a latex mould but I can’t promise that it will actually happen. We will see. 🙂
Hi Monica, you are so amazing, can I please have some of your energy LOL, your garden is beautiful, thank you so much for sharing your cutting files.