Making Hand and Foot Molds of Mom for Mother's Day Keepsakes

Making Keepsake Molds of Mom for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a special holiday to honor and celebrate the mothers and mother figures in our lives. What better way to cherish your memories with mom than by making a keepsake mold of her hands or feet?

Molds capture the shape and details beautifully and once dried and painted, make for wonderful mementos to display around the home. And the process of making the molds together can be a fun activity to do with mom on Mother's Day!

Deciding on a Mold Type

The first step is deciding what type of mama mold you'd like to make. Popular options include:

• Hand print mold
• Footprint mold
• Impression of mom's pregnant belly (for expectant mothers)

Hand prints capture the shape and details of her hands and fingers so vividly. They make for very personalized mementos. Foot molds are also unique to each person and preserve the contours and details of mom's feet.

Getting the Supplies

Making molds is a simple process but does require some specialized supplies. Here's what you'll need:

• Alginate molding powder - This forms the mold material
• Plaster wrap cloth strips - To hold the alginate mold firmly in place as it sets
• Petroleum jelly or mold release spray - To prep the skin
• Water and containers for mixing the alginate
• Plaster for casting the final mold
• Acrylic paints and brushes for decorating (optional)

The supplies are affordable and available at most craft stores or online. Make sure to get alginate powder as it captures intricate detail and is safe for skin contact.

Prepping the Mold Area

Before making the actual #mama #mold, the area of mom's body being molded needs some prep:

1. Trim any long nails to prevent tearing the mold
2. Remove jewelry and watches
3. Clean the area thoroughly and pat dry
4. Apply a light layer of petroleum jelly or mold release spray

The release agent prevents skin from sticking and allows easy mold removal. It's best to wear old clothing since alginate can stain fabrics.

Mixing the Alginate

With mom ready, it's time to mix up the alginate. This is an important step:

• Measure water into a large container as specified on the alginate powder packaging
• Slowly sift alginate powder into the water while mixing vigorously with a whisk or electric mixer to avoid clumps
• Mix just until fully incorporated and smooth with no dry lumps

You'll want a smooth, pourable consistency without bubbles. Mix small batches at a time so the alginate stays workable.

Making the Actual Mold

Here comes the fun part! With alginate mixed, follow these steps:

1. Have mom insert her hands or feet into the alginate mixture while another person holds the container steady
2. She should submerge the area just past the wrist line or ankle bone
3. As she holds still, smooth thick alginate all over the submerged area with a spatula to fully coat every surface
4. Press plaster strips gently across the back and sides over the alginate to create a sturdy mold casing
5. Leave submerged 2-4 minutes until completely set (alginate hardens quickly!)
6. Carefully remove from alginate and set aside to fully dry above the work area

It helps to have an extra person for simultaneous plaster wrapping while mom stays still until completely set.

Casting and Crafting the Finished #Mom #Mold

Once dried after 10-14 days, your alginate #mama mold creates an exact hollow impression for plaster to be poured inside to cast the finished replica of mom's hands or feet!

To complete your keepsake:

• Mix and pour plaster into the fully dried alginate mold
• Allow plaster mold to cure completely about 24 hours
• Use acrylic craft paints and brushes to paint the surface and details
• Apply a sealant spray when the paint has dried
• Display mom's one-of-a-kind mold replica proudly!

Every look at your hand crafted mama mold mold will bring back memories of the special day you spent together in celebration of Mother's day!

FAQs

What kind of plaster should I use?

Use ultracal 30 or ultracal 60 plaster for casting the finished mold. These set smooth and hold intricate details well.

How long do alginate molds last?

Alginate molds are good for casting several times over a 1-2 month period if stored properly sealed in air tight bags or containers.

What paints work best?

Acrylic craft paints are perfect for coloring the finished plaster molds. They provide good coverage and vivid colors.

Is the alginate safe for skin?

Yes, alginate molding powder is skin-safe and non-toxic. Just be sure to prep skin with a release agent like petroleum jelly before submerging the area.