Purchasing Your Tools & Supplies
WITH PURCHASE LINKS
Workspace Materials
Ideally, your space is well ventilated so that any dust or fumes from paints and plaster don’t get into your lungs. If that’s not possible, consider opening a window with a fan when you get to the sanding and painting part of your project. If you like, wear a mask that will help to filter out any harmful particles.
Use a large table or counter space with a floor that can be easily wiped and won’t get damaged if it gets wet. In many of my video tutorials, you’ll see that I cover my table with craft paper which just makes it easier to clean up some of the mess when I’m done.
Besides that, here are a few things you can use to set up your space.
White 5 Gallon Buckets
Used for washing hands and containers. I’ll show you how to get rid of leftover plaster using a bucket like this. More than one is always good to have.
Brown Craft Paper Roll
Used to cover your work space. This actually has a dual purpose since you’ll also be able to use this for the backing on your frames.
Craft Self Healing Cutting Mat
Used for framing, measuring and finishing your projects by placing this under your frame when you cut the paper backing with an exacto knife.
Mold Making Tools
Most of these tools and supplies are a one time purchase that you will use to create the mold. Other than the tape and the skin conditioner. But again, feel free to purchase them wherever you like.
Blue Magic Skin Conditioner
This is the conditioner cream I use to put on hands and feet to help release them from the clay mold impression.
Non Stick Rolling Pin
This 15″ (38cm) non-stick rolling pin is ideal for rolling out clay.
Large Paddle Spoon
This scoop spoon is ideal for sprinkling the plaster into the water when mixing. By adding the plaster slowly like this, it allows it to saturate properly before you mix it.
4 Pc Measuring Cup Set
Its best to use this type of flexible plastic measuring cup container for easy cleaning.
Tools To Refine The Castings
These tools and supplies are a one time purchase that you
will use to refine the castings before you frame them.
Rough & Fine Sandpaper
This package has multiple grit levels of sandpaper. Rougher grit to take out the rasping lines and finer grit to make them smooth.
Long Rasp
What’s most important about this rasp is that the teeth are large and rough in order to scrape away at the hard plaster when you’re rasping.
Paint Brushes
A great paint brush set for both priming and
painting your plaster castings.
Tools To Frame The Castings
Here are the necessary tools you’ll need to put the frames together and take them apart if needed.
In the Framing module, I’ll give you all the measurements and specifications to buy Triple, Double and Single shadow box frames at your local framing store.
Point Driver Framing Tool
There are better quality & more expensive Point Driver Framing tools but this one is great to start out with.
Framing Pins
Extra framing pins.
Needle Nose Pliers
Pull out framing pins that are defective or improperly placed. You’ll find lots of other uses for these as well.
Matt Eraser
Great for getting rid of marks that might accidentally end up on one of the mats.
Small Hammer
This is a small sized hammer used to hammer the saw toothed hooks into the back of the frame.
Foam Core Board
These are acid free, white foam core boards you’ll have to cut for the back of a frame. You’ll only need to order these if your framer doesn’t include it with your frames.
Compressed Air Duster
Here’s one way to use compressed air on every layer of framing. In case the compressed air cans go out of stock. You can use this rechargeable version for a one time purchase.
Compressed Air Duster
Use the compressed air on every layer of framing when you put it together. You can use these or the rechargeable electric version so I’m giving you both here.
Ongoing Supplies and Materials
These are some of the remaining supplies you’ll need to keep re-ordering.
ULTRACAL 30 Gypsum Plaster
Here’s another type of acceptable gypsum if you want to try a different brand.
Plater Putty
This is great for repairing holes and imperfections. Its quite common for the hands and feet to come out of the mold in need of some level of repair.
Plaster Primer Spray Paint
Here’s the primer I highly recommend as the base coat before you paint.
Double Sided Tape
Used on the back of your frame when you add the brown paper. This tape is also used in between the layers of matting to prevent gaping.
1 Inch Acid Free Tape
Use this white tape to secure the photo onto the window of the matting inside the frame.
5 Minute 2 Part Epoxy
My go to epoxy. Easy to mix, strong and sets fast. This set will last you a while.
D Ring Picture Hangers & Wire Kit
Use this D-ring and wire set for larger and heavier shadow boxes since it’s stronger than the saw tooth hooks.
Saw Tooth Framing Hooks
Use these saw tooth hooks only for the lighter Double and Single frames. Not the Triple frame.
Chiffon Ribbon with Golden Edge
There are so many places to purchase ribbon for your medallions so the choice is yours. These ones are so pretty and an example of the type I use.
Paints!
I recommend that you use acrylic paint on your plaster castings. That’s with or without primer for two different looks. Below are my favorite paint colors that my clients have always loved.
Jacquard Lumiere Acrylics - Metallic Acrylic Paint 2.25 Ounces-Pearlescent White
These acrylic metallic paint colors are the ones I use a lot and my clients love them. Especially the Pearl White paint color.
Jacquard Lumiere Acrylic - Metallic Acrylic Paint 2.25 Ounces-Gold
Here’s the same paint in Metallic Gold. This link will allow you to chose multiple metallic colors to use on your castings including a sample bundle.
Acrylic Spray Paint
Here’s an acrylic spray paint with lots of different colors to chose from. This one is in Gold but feel free to pick from the large selection when you click through to the purchase page.
Frames
The following are some suggestions for frames that would work well with one or two medallions. These are simple frames you can purchase on Amazon. If you want to find something more sophisticated, find a local framer to see what they can supply for you.
White Shadow Box 3D Square Picture Frame with Mat for 8x8 inch Photo, Glass Front
A nice deep frame for a single round or cloud medallion. Play around with the mat and add it to the front, back or take it off completely.
8x10 Shadow Box Frame Wood 3D Picture Frame with Glass Cover
Comes in a few different colors. Make sure you purchase your frame before you create your medallion to make sure it fits in the frame and isn’t too thick as it cannot touch the glass.
11x14 Shadow Box Frame in White with Soft Linen Back
This one comes in a few different colors as well. Here’s a larger size for a double cloud medallion. Be creative with background colors.