The next test sample.

 

I didn't fill the mold all the way because I wanted to test the gem facets. There were some minor scratches on the front face. It's hairline, so when clear casting, it makes no difference. However, if any color is added it will require a new mold to be made.

  

This piece of tatting embedded was already resin dipped, so it looked similar to porcelain. Getting it to fit into the mold was a bit tricky because the petals had harden more opened and fuller. I had to smoosh it down so it looks flatten out. When I set the next I'll just seal the thread with Modge Podge, so the petals will be able to be moved before being permanetly set in the resin. Overall, I'm satisfied with this and will make three more molds to get the casting times cut down.

Not much to update. Life has kept me too busy for my crafts. I did get these done.

I made the mistake of forgetting to use mold release, and ruined a mold. It was one of my larger ones too. *sigh* I'm going to try and use this egg holder to make a paperweight. Mostly I want to see what I can create. I found this nifty measuring tool so now I have less resin waste.

Testing

It finally got warm enough for me to start using resin again. Plus I'm finally able to get a couple of hours child-free since my kiddies started school. So I broke out my ready molds and started to "fill them up". Since time to work on these is limited, I'm finally able to exercise patience and work in layers. I began by laying down the first clear coat in all but the arrowhead.

These sat overnight. When they began to reach the 'jelly' state I added some tatting to the smallest pieces. Now these are untreated/sealed thread. I'm hoping they don't go transparent on me. Afterwards I had a little bit of resin left over and got the bright idea to try it out as a stiffening agent for more tatting. I used the dragon as a prototype. I'm really hoping it works out because this is one of my favorite pieces.