General
What happens if my cast doesn't turn out right, or has irreparable damage?
Most casts have some minor flaws to them when they first turn out such as air bubbles which I clean up and finish by hand before you collect your finished piece. It is very unlikely that you would have to come back for a second casting session. If I see that there has been damage to a mould then I can recast within the same session at no extra cost to you.
Help! I dropped my cast and a piece has broken off. Can it be repaired?
In most cases, yes, so don't panic. Some casts are easier to repair than others. Very often breakages can be repaired and the hairline cracks disguised. In instances where the break is very obvious, it may be possible to disguise the damage by repainting or using a decorative finish on the sculpture. Casts are surprisingly strong though, so will not shatter like a china plate when dropped.
How should I care for my casting?
Treat it as you would a precious work of art or piece of fine china. Casts are best left on display where little hands and pets can't reach them. Like all things, your cast will need occasional dusting. Don't get your sculpture wet or wash it down with water or other cleaning agents. The protective sealant should make it easy to wipe clean should it get a dirty fingerprint on it. Casts do not like damp or extremes of temperature so do not store them on top of a radiator, next to a window or in damp rooms such as bathrooms or cellars.
I wish to give a casting gift to a friend/loved one, but I'm not sure which one to purchase.
No problem. You simply choose the value of the casting you would like to give them, and they can put it towards the casting of their choice - be it a belly casting, a child's casting, or even a bottom casting session!
Can you only cast children & bellies?
You can cast virtually anything! You can do pets, older siblings, adults, lips…this list goes on. Babies and bellies are the most popular castings. I have lots of information on this site about those but please feel free to contact me about your casting idea! I love working with new subjects.
What are your terms of payment?
I require a 50 percent deposit to secure a casting session. This is to prevent people dropping out at the last minute without letting me know they can't come, and to cover the cost of materials in the event of cancellation. If you need to reschedule you can do so at no charge within 24 hours. If it is shorter than that it will be on a case by case decision. You pay the balance when you come to collect your finished cast or some people prefer to pay in installments up until the time of collection when any remaining balance is paid in full.
For people paying with gift certificates, simply give me the code on your gift certificate at the time of booking and bring it along with you when you come for your casting session.
For party bookings, I need to know the number of people who will be attending, and the deposit would also be 50 percent of the final fee.
You can pay by Email money transfer, cash or PayPal. If you wish to arrange payment by credit card or cheque that can be done on some occasions.
When will my life cast sculpture be ready to take home?
That depends on the kind of casting you have chosen, and the time of year (I recommend booking early for Christmas, Valentine's Day or Mother's Day). For hand and foot castings bear in mind that plaster retains moisture for as long as a few weeks (depending on the season) before it can be safely sealed. A very fast turnaround might compromise the longevity of your cast by not allowing full curing time. For bellies it depends on whether you have chosen to have a plain or decorative finish, freestanding or on a base, etc. If you want your casting ready to be displayed at a special event then I recommend coming for a casting session about 8-12 weeks before the event. I will always strive to hit a deadline such as a birthday or wedding without fail, but for such special occasions please book in at least 10 weeks ahead of the deadline for collection to avoid disappointment. If you have a 'rush job' that needs doing, feel free to contact me and I will help where possible or recommend alternatives if I cannot.
Where do the castings take place?
I usually recommend everyone comes to me if they can. My place is perfectly set up for casting and we don't have to worry about making a mess of your floor. If you prefer I come to you there is an additional charge for time & travel depending on where you are. You can reduce this cost to yourself by hosting a casting party and getting other pregnant friends or friends with new babies to share the cost.
Is this just for babies and bellies?
Not at all. Life casting can be done on pretty much anything. I can do pets, siblings, parents, grandparents...the possibilities are endless. If you are thinking you would like something else done that is not a baby or belly just contact me to discuss the options and how we can make it
Do you do belly parties?
Yes. A belly casting party is fun. I bring all the materials needed for the group (usually up to 6 ladies) and show you how it is done and we all work together to produce your fabulous belly casts. Add in non-alcoholic drinks and lots of chocolate and it can make for one of the most entertaining, memorable and moving experiences in your whole pregnancy. I even give groups of 4 or more women a 15% discount on the usual prices. This is usually for belly only poses due to time constrictions, but if you want belly and breast poses, then smaller groups can be catered for.
Another kind of belly party is where there is just one belly cast done on the 'guest of honour' (perfect for 'baby shower' parties), but you invite a bunch of your best friends to come and watch, join in, or contribute in some other way. Your friends might even give it to you as a gift if you have very nice friends. ;-) This can rapidly become a 'traditional' rite of passage for groups of close friends that makes it an unforgettable bonding experience for you, your friends/family and your baby. You can even involve older children in the process, which can make it extra special for them too.
Contact me to book your party .
Do you do baby casting parties?
Yes! This is also a lovely follow up to a belly casting party for instance or a great way to reconnect with your prenatal group. Another good excuse to get a bunch of friends together and eat chocolate once the babies are born. The best time to do this is when the babies are still quite young and small and sleep/feed a lot - makes my job a whole lot easier as I can take it in turns to do the baby that is most relaxed at that moment and leave the restless or upset ones till later. I will do this for older babies but be aware that you may need to do the joint parent/baby pose if your baby struggles a lot as a strong baby can rip through the casting material with a hard kick if it is not held firmly. For older children I will also do group casting sessions, but I like to avoid doing this for the young toddler age group as they are often the trickiest to cast - being old enough to resist our attempts to keep them still yet not old enough to understand what it is we are asking them to do. Depending on how many casts I am doing for each baby a party of 3-6 babies is ideal.
Will the process damage our wedding/engagement rings?
Not at all. All I ask is that you rub just a little Vaseline or similar around any small gaps/stones/fittings to make cleaning easy afterwards. Then you simply rinse and rub and the rings will be as good as new. The casting process will pick up the most beautiful details of your rings, making your sculpture even more personal to you.
Can we have the casting session videoed or photographed to go in our wedding video/album?
Of course! It makes a lovely memory for the two of you. There's nothing like dunking your entwined hands in goop to make you feel romantic. If you wish to book a professional photographer or videographer to record the occasion for you, please let me know in advance and that can be arranged. You can also bring your own.
Most casts have some minor flaws to them when they first turn out such as air bubbles which I clean up and finish by hand before you collect your finished piece. It is very unlikely that you would have to come back for a second casting session. If I see that there has been damage to a mould then I can recast within the same session at no extra cost to you.
Help! I dropped my cast and a piece has broken off. Can it be repaired?
In most cases, yes, so don't panic. Some casts are easier to repair than others. Very often breakages can be repaired and the hairline cracks disguised. In instances where the break is very obvious, it may be possible to disguise the damage by repainting or using a decorative finish on the sculpture. Casts are surprisingly strong though, so will not shatter like a china plate when dropped.
How should I care for my casting?
Treat it as you would a precious work of art or piece of fine china. Casts are best left on display where little hands and pets can't reach them. Like all things, your cast will need occasional dusting. Don't get your sculpture wet or wash it down with water or other cleaning agents. The protective sealant should make it easy to wipe clean should it get a dirty fingerprint on it. Casts do not like damp or extremes of temperature so do not store them on top of a radiator, next to a window or in damp rooms such as bathrooms or cellars.
I wish to give a casting gift to a friend/loved one, but I'm not sure which one to purchase.
No problem. You simply choose the value of the casting you would like to give them, and they can put it towards the casting of their choice - be it a belly casting, a child's casting, or even a bottom casting session!
Can you only cast children & bellies?
You can cast virtually anything! You can do pets, older siblings, adults, lips…this list goes on. Babies and bellies are the most popular castings. I have lots of information on this site about those but please feel free to contact me about your casting idea! I love working with new subjects.
What are your terms of payment?
I require a 50 percent deposit to secure a casting session. This is to prevent people dropping out at the last minute without letting me know they can't come, and to cover the cost of materials in the event of cancellation. If you need to reschedule you can do so at no charge within 24 hours. If it is shorter than that it will be on a case by case decision. You pay the balance when you come to collect your finished cast or some people prefer to pay in installments up until the time of collection when any remaining balance is paid in full.
For people paying with gift certificates, simply give me the code on your gift certificate at the time of booking and bring it along with you when you come for your casting session.
For party bookings, I need to know the number of people who will be attending, and the deposit would also be 50 percent of the final fee.
You can pay by Email money transfer, cash or PayPal. If you wish to arrange payment by credit card or cheque that can be done on some occasions.
When will my life cast sculpture be ready to take home?
That depends on the kind of casting you have chosen, and the time of year (I recommend booking early for Christmas, Valentine's Day or Mother's Day). For hand and foot castings bear in mind that plaster retains moisture for as long as a few weeks (depending on the season) before it can be safely sealed. A very fast turnaround might compromise the longevity of your cast by not allowing full curing time. For bellies it depends on whether you have chosen to have a plain or decorative finish, freestanding or on a base, etc. If you want your casting ready to be displayed at a special event then I recommend coming for a casting session about 8-12 weeks before the event. I will always strive to hit a deadline such as a birthday or wedding without fail, but for such special occasions please book in at least 10 weeks ahead of the deadline for collection to avoid disappointment. If you have a 'rush job' that needs doing, feel free to contact me and I will help where possible or recommend alternatives if I cannot.
Where do the castings take place?
I usually recommend everyone comes to me if they can. My place is perfectly set up for casting and we don't have to worry about making a mess of your floor. If you prefer I come to you there is an additional charge for time & travel depending on where you are. You can reduce this cost to yourself by hosting a casting party and getting other pregnant friends or friends with new babies to share the cost.
Is this just for babies and bellies?
Not at all. Life casting can be done on pretty much anything. I can do pets, siblings, parents, grandparents...the possibilities are endless. If you are thinking you would like something else done that is not a baby or belly just contact me to discuss the options and how we can make it
Do you do belly parties?
Yes. A belly casting party is fun. I bring all the materials needed for the group (usually up to 6 ladies) and show you how it is done and we all work together to produce your fabulous belly casts. Add in non-alcoholic drinks and lots of chocolate and it can make for one of the most entertaining, memorable and moving experiences in your whole pregnancy. I even give groups of 4 or more women a 15% discount on the usual prices. This is usually for belly only poses due to time constrictions, but if you want belly and breast poses, then smaller groups can be catered for.
Another kind of belly party is where there is just one belly cast done on the 'guest of honour' (perfect for 'baby shower' parties), but you invite a bunch of your best friends to come and watch, join in, or contribute in some other way. Your friends might even give it to you as a gift if you have very nice friends. ;-) This can rapidly become a 'traditional' rite of passage for groups of close friends that makes it an unforgettable bonding experience for you, your friends/family and your baby. You can even involve older children in the process, which can make it extra special for them too.
Contact me to book your party .
Do you do baby casting parties?
Yes! This is also a lovely follow up to a belly casting party for instance or a great way to reconnect with your prenatal group. Another good excuse to get a bunch of friends together and eat chocolate once the babies are born. The best time to do this is when the babies are still quite young and small and sleep/feed a lot - makes my job a whole lot easier as I can take it in turns to do the baby that is most relaxed at that moment and leave the restless or upset ones till later. I will do this for older babies but be aware that you may need to do the joint parent/baby pose if your baby struggles a lot as a strong baby can rip through the casting material with a hard kick if it is not held firmly. For older children I will also do group casting sessions, but I like to avoid doing this for the young toddler age group as they are often the trickiest to cast - being old enough to resist our attempts to keep them still yet not old enough to understand what it is we are asking them to do. Depending on how many casts I am doing for each baby a party of 3-6 babies is ideal.
Will the process damage our wedding/engagement rings?
Not at all. All I ask is that you rub just a little Vaseline or similar around any small gaps/stones/fittings to make cleaning easy afterwards. Then you simply rinse and rub and the rings will be as good as new. The casting process will pick up the most beautiful details of your rings, making your sculpture even more personal to you.
Can we have the casting session videoed or photographed to go in our wedding video/album?
Of course! It makes a lovely memory for the two of you. There's nothing like dunking your entwined hands in goop to make you feel romantic. If you wish to book a professional photographer or videographer to record the occasion for you, please let me know in advance and that can be arranged. You can also bring your own.