Book Details

As mentioned previously, I ordered two books from Borders' Marketplace online, which is their used book site. I had gone into my local Borders (I should be BANNED from that place lol) to see what they had in the way of instructional books on making molds and castings from sculptures. I was highly disappointed in their artists section. The majority of what they had was coffee table books - in which I had a LOT of fun flipping through - but not quite what I wanted. 


So, off to one of their computers to look at what they offer online. Yes, I could have done this at home, but I was already there, and why not. 


So, after about 20 minutes of searching, I found exactly what I was looking for. 


Book 1. 

The Art of Resin Jewelry (DVD Edition): Layering, Casting, and Mixed Media Techniques for Creating Vintage to Contemporary Designs

A top-selling favorite returns--now with a DVD featuring Sherri Haab!

* The Art of Resin Jewelry has sold 14,000 copies
* Value-added DVD includes three all-new projects plus a special bonus gallery of jewelry
* How-tos for combining resin with polymer clay for mixed media and moldmaking

The best-selling book on resin jewelry returns--now with an exciting bonus DVD featuring author Sherri Haab! The Art of Resin Jewelry still features the same great step-by-step directions for creating beautiful necklaces, pins, bangles, bracelets, earrings, and rings with affordable, approachable resin. Instructions show how to add colorants and other materials, how to cast three-dimensional forms, and how to combine resin with polymer clay for entirely new effects. And now this classic title comes packaged with an exclusive DVD, ready to light up screens across the country with three all-new projects plus a special gallery of inspiring jewelry designs. Now it’s even easier for crafters at every level to create stunning resin jewelry--by watching an expert demonstrate her own signature techniques.

Yay! I get both the book AND the instructional DVD for under $10.00! Whether the book is used or not doesn't matter to me one smidgen. 


This book hopefully will teach me the 'bread and butter' of what I want to learn to do. Cast in resin using rubber or silicone molding. 


What will I be casting? 


A little bit of everything, I think. With the ultimate goal being sculpture - I also see a need for smaller, easier, faster, and production friendly items that can be sold in bulk cheaply. (Read into that, things that bring in money, hopefully.)


Things like beads. Buttons. Kids things. You get the drift. Things that can be easily customized, painted, and included in other projects such as jewelry making, scrapbooking, steampunk, mixed media artists, etc. There are local farmers markets, craft fairs, school functions, etsy, ebay, and lots of other areas to market and sell at. 


The flip side is by casting the small stuff, It will teach me how to cast the BIG stuff. Having haunted some of the model horse boards, it seems that there are just a very FEW people that cast in bulk for sculptors. Thats a possible career path. The demand is certainly there for someone who wants to simply cast for a living for other people that sculpt. Its definitely something to think about. And its not just the model horse people. Theres several other areas of the sculpting world that one could tap into.


One would certainly have to really know what they are doing before taking on someone else's hard work. 


Book 2.

Mold Making, Casting and Patina

An excellent beginner's book for those who want to make molds, and/or casts in plaster and rubber, but have no prior experience. Format designed to make the text easy to read with step-by-step instruction on all phases of the mold making, casting and patina process. First edition publication with 116 pages of instruction and over 200 photos and line drawings of specific methods and procedures for any mold making and casting project clearly showing everything needed to make exacting casts of original pieces of sculpture. The text also includes guidance in the repair of casts, as well as mounting for display, and the art of patina or coloring. Includes appendices on mixing procedures for plaster, troubleshooting, general information on gypsum products, enlarging, bronze casting. Charts on proportional requirements of materials, weights and measures, and a glossary of terms are also provided. Recommended for the novice sculptor, mold maker and caster.

More of the same - just a bit of an older book that deals with larger sculptures. Some of it won't apply to what I want to do, but the first half of it will/does.

Then, at Half Price Books yesterday, I found this! 

Really cool Bead Making Book.

Polymer Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration

Twenty different crafting methods—countless breathtaking beads, all made from easy to work with polymer clay! The varied techniques in this comprehensive skill-building book—many of which have never before been published—range from hand-formed tubes, spheres, wedges, teardrops, and baguettes to traditional mokume gane with fantastic layered effects. Add mica clay to create iridescent “ghost image” beads. Construct veneered pillow beads. Carve beads, press-mold them, or even use a cookie-cutter to get an array of fabulous shapes. Turn and form the bead on an extremely affordable craft lathe. Close-up photos show every step in the process, as well as the completed beads; some also appear as part of a finished piece of jewelry for inspiration. 

This one has some awesome polymer clay techniques that I've never seen before. It also covers the use of using RTF Silicone Rubber to make texture molds, bead molds, and cavity molds. Really neat stuff! 


So I guess after spending hours looking at how to videos, reading blogs written by some well known mold casters in the model horse industry, and a few other things, I need to start casting stuff! 


Well, as soon as I can order the supplies, of course. 


I have some perfect things that will work as test guinea pigs, including one of my daughters Breyer Stablemate sized horses, a Lippy that somewhere broke half a leg off. That should be a great teacher on  how to cast small pieces, undercuts, and delicate legs. 


I am looking forward to this summer like I haven't looked forward to a summer in a long time!