Using Two Part Moulding Compound to create moulds

Two part moulding compound. Conifer and strawberry leaf moulds.

Here at Halton Village Silver we usually use a brand called Siligum to create our moulds for using with metal clay. This is readily available from Amazon and Hobby Craft. It seems quite expensive, but you can make a lot of moulds from the pack so its works out reasonable priced if you are going to make a few, and they can be reused over and over again.

I tend to keep some in my handbag, just in case I see something that needs a mould making while I’m out and about, and my pockets are often filled with things I spot and pick up. My mother is always going on about “ the contents of a small boys pocket” when I show her my latest findings. I love it when I find something that I think would make a great mould for silver clay, pop it in my coat pocket then forget all about it and re find it when I next wear that coat, twice the excitement!

What can you use to make moulds?

Anything really, it’s a case of happy experimenting and some will be better than others but here are a few ideas.

·        Plant material – deep veined leaves work well, as do quite solid plant material, very soft things can get a bit mushy and look a bit “blob” like when pressed in. Twigs are great, herb leaves, ferns make gorgeous patterns.

·        Stones – not smooth ones, but I’ve had some gorgeous textures from pieces of sandstone, and from a step made from cement.

·        Textured wall papers – collect a few sample pieces from your local DIY shop, some of them come out really good.

·        Material – Things like lace make great patterns, and this can be a nice way to capture textures form something special like a christening gown or wedding dress

Sage leaf mould

Parsley leaf mould

Your moulding compound will come in two parts (does what it says on the tin!) which when combined is pliable and will capture textures and shapes before setting to a reusable mould.

The following is my quick guide to making moulds, although you will quickly work out what works for you, there are no hard and fast rules other than using equal amounts and being careful not to cross contaminate the different parts.

How to make moulds using my technique

1)        Take equal amounts of each part and gently combine until the colour becomes even. It is best not to get distracted while doing this, I’ve sat and combined it for long enough that its set in a ball for me, the dangers of chatting while working.

2)        Working quickly, make your combined moulding compound into a ball

3)        Using two none stick surfaces (what ever you use for working your silver clay on will be fine, I tend to use two acrylic boards) slightly flatten your ball so that you have a flat surface to work on

4)        Next press your materials into one of the flat sides, using the none stick surface to press it gently in

5)        Leave for as long as the instructions that came with your moulding compound, as different brands differ slightly. However, I’ve found that if it’s cold it will take longer, and the best way to know if its set completely is to lightly press your fingernail in the edge of the mould. If it leaves a mark, then its not completely set. If set, the dent made by your fingernail will bounce back.

Fern leaf mould

Happy experimenting!