If you are selling clothes, then always buy cardigans in bulk for later sale.
Not everyone gets wonderful realistic flowers from foamiran. In order for leaves, buds, and various small elements to be approximately the same shape and have a clear texture, special forms are used. They are called molds and have a flat surface with a noticeable relief. There are also weiners - this is another type of mold, most often made of silicone and having volume.
If you look at the photos of beautiful molds, it will become clear that with their help you can sculpt any detailed copy of a plant. Such blanks are not cheap, and the work will require molds with different textures. That is why many craftswomen strive to spend very little time and money to independently make the necessary molds with a suitable relief.
What are young people like?
To create realistic flowers from artificial materials, 2 types of molds are used. These include:
- Silicone;
- Plastic.
Each product model has its own advantages and disadvantages during operation. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Features of choosing material for the production of garden decorations
Figures for the garden can be cast from plaster, concrete and polystone. Products made from gypsum sell out faster. They have the lowest price. Therefore, organizing the production of such products is a very simple process that does not require large material investments. A kilogram of gypsum costs from 40 rubles. It produces very fragile products that are not resistant to any mechanical loads. They absorb moisture. The service life of such a garden decoration is one season, but consumer demand for such products is still quite high, so you can safely work in the designated direction.
Garden figurines made of plaster Source svarka-doka.ru
Silicone models
Silicone product models are made from a special composition, which, after hardening, is distinguished by its flexibility and ductility. The external appearance of such equipment is a bit like children's modeling kits.
Silicone compounds allow you to create not only voluminous and simple bas-reliefs, but also allow you to obtain unusual three-dimensional figures. Molds from this material are often used to create culinary delights. Thanks to him, it is possible to make beautiful flowers from sugar mastic.
Silicone ones are used to create sweets, fruit jelly and marzipan. The plasticity of this material allows you to carefully remove the finished product without damaging its edges.
Silicone molds are used for the production of candles, soap and various plaster figures. Experienced craftsmen prefer to choose these products when creating complex flower arrangements.
Thanks to this device, they manage to display all the beauty and texture of blanks made of polymer clay or foamiran.
Areas of use
Scrapbooking
This is a technique used to make beautiful albums and cards. It involves the use of small details - frames, buttons, keys, locks, various figures of people, birds and animals.
The craftswoman can buy all this wealth in a store, or she can prepare it herself using homemade molds.
Decoupage
A technique for decorating old boxes, bottles, jars and other objects that are transformed by pasting them with paper napkins and/or various ornaments, cuttings, flowers, monograms. With blanks made using molds, completely unique things are created.
Bijouterie
Craftswomen who make jewelry from epoxy resin also resort to the help of molds for creative blanks - elements for earrings, beads, rings and necklaces.
Making dolls
Some dollmakers who prefer to make an interior doll with a porcelain head successfully use homemade molds made using the head from a broken doll.
Cooking
Today, along with a pastry syringe, silicone molds are widely used to decorate cakes and other culinary delights, which greatly expand the creative capabilities of culinary specialists.
Inscriptions for cakes, numbers, letters, leaves, ornaments, figures, bows, beads, hearts, wreaths are cast in them. Modeling chocolate or confectionery paste are used as mold fillers.
Soap making and decorative candle making
These molds are the most difficult to make with your own hands. They require special tin-based silicone, which costs more than 1,000 rubles. Also designs made from separate parts, which should imitate a finished bar of soap with a flower decoration, for example. But if you have a strong desire, when you need to make something exclusive, you can even make them at home.
You can buy ready-made molds. They cost from 300 rubles and above.
Ready molds should be stored in a box to prevent debris from sticking to them.
Plastic mold
This model of equipment is made of polymer compounds. They are used for industrial purposes. They are used to create children's toys, interior decoration and the food industry.
For the manufacture of molds, non-toxic types of polymer resins are used, which do not emit a pungent odor after hardening. In addition, when working with a hot solution, they do not change their color.
In cooking, plastic molds are used to create sweets, fruit jelly and other confectionery delights. You can purchase such products in any supermarket or specialized culinary department.
Master classes on making molds
The most famous materials for making molds are known; all that remains is to study the sequence of the creative process.
First of all, the master needs to properly organize his workplace: a wide table with a protective covering, a comfortable chair, high-quality lighting (natural light and artificial lamps).
How to work with mold?
Before you start creating flower arrangements or interior decor, you need to properly prepare additional equipment for use. Its surface must be dry.
The presence of a drop of moisture can spoil the workpiece and contribute to its deformation during the drying process. If water gets on a foamiran part, it can cause streaks.
The inside of the mold must be treated with rich cream or mineral oil. Such manipulation will allow you to easily remove the workpiece for its further use. When working with food products, olive oil or butter is used as a lubricant.
Note!
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Making plaster molds
The technology for making plaster molds is no different from other presented options. The only rule is optimal mixing of components. Gypsum powder is added to a container of water and then mixed thoroughly.
Adding PVA glue to the working solution will allow you to obtain a more viscous, elastic material for creating molds.
A layer of gypsum mass is rolled out on a board, and then parts of a certain shape are laid on the surface of the gypsum. If the master has artistic modeling skills, he may not use additional details at all, working exclusively with his fingers.
How to make mold at home?
We present several ideas on how to make molds with your own hands. Using simple materials at hand will help you create high-quality blanks for working with plastic types of clay.
To make molds with your own hands you will need:
- 1 bottle of technical silicone;
- Potato or corn starch;
- Fresh leaves, flower petals. They will serve as a stencil and pattern for the future mold.
Before you start working, you need to read the instructions on how to make molds correctly. Beforehand, the area for future work is thoroughly cleaned using detergent. It is necessary to remove particles of grease and dust from the surface. To avoid staining the countertop, you will need a glass cutting board or cling film.
Starch is placed in a glass container. Construction silicone is gradually being added to it. The resulting mass must be thoroughly mixed until a dense dough is formed. On average, this will take from 5 to 15 minutes. When in contact with each other, these substances form a dense mass that must be gradually kneaded.
After this, separate a small element and roll it out with a rolling pin. We apply stencils of living petals and leaves to the surface of the silicone. Carefully cut off the excess mixture with a sharp knife. Finished pieces must be placed in a warm place to dry completely. This will take from 1 to 3 days.
Where to buy and how to look for molds for pouring plaster
Of course, it is not necessary to make the mold yourself; there are many ready-made options, ranging from items available at home to choose from, to foreign suppliers.
Many people use molds designed for making soap. Their direct suppliers willingly sell forms, including through Instagram and other social networks. For example:
https://www.instagram.com/betoforma/ https://www.instagram.com/form3d.ru/ https://vk.com/album-98743363_245301419
Forms are sold in specialized stores and product manufacturers.
Polymer clay mold
Experienced specialists highlight another master class on how to make a mold with your own hands. For work you will need the following tools and materials:
- A pack of polymer clay for baking;
- Dense types of leaves and petals;
- Sharp knife.
Polymer clay for baking requires mechanical action to mix the thick composition. To do this, knead the piece thoroughly. Using a plastic rolling pin, roll it out into a thin dough.
We apply the plant parts to it while carefully pressing them into a dense mass. Excess is also carefully removed with a knife. Now future templates need to be baked in the oven at 150 degrees for 10 minutes.
When exposed to high temperatures, polymer particles will emit a pungent odor. That is why it is recommended to use a separate electric oven for working with this type of material.
Epoxy resin templates
A polymer composition based on epoxy resin is considered a durable type of template. However, when working with this type of material, special care must be taken. Mixing all the ingredients together creates a chemical reaction that can cause burns and a serious allergic reaction.
You need to pour a little liquid composition into the silicone mold. The surface of the mold is pre-treated with alcohol. This will prevent the formation of many bubbles inside the future workpiece.
Polymer resin requires heat during the drying process. However, heating the silicone material will release corrosive gases. To speed up the crystallization process of polymers, use a deep container into which hot water is poured. After which a silicone mold with epoxy blanks is installed into it.
This manufacturing method is considered complex and painstaking. On average, it will take from 1 to 5 hours for the resin to harden. During this time, it is necessary to regularly maintain a temperature of 30-40 degrees.
Requirements for homemade forms
Any homemade form, regardless of its base material, must meet a number of requirements:
- Strength. Store-bought silicone molds become unusable after only 4-5 uses.
- Beautiful relief. The main task of the master is to obtain an original drawing that will serve as the basis for the work.
- Safety. You should not choose materials that are not safe for humans to make molds.
- Easy to clean after finishing work. The surface of the mold should be easy to clean from foreign contaminants.
To comply with these conditions, it is necessary to carefully select the material for making molds.
