For this project I'm using Axson F180 Polyurethane resin, which has a 1A:1B mix ratio by weight
I am measuring 16g to begin, which will be used to test the mould. Give the resin a good shake before you dispense it.
Mix like crazy for about a minute, and don't worry about bubbles - this is not like mixing epoxy
After one minute of mixing, be ready to pour immediately, as it has already started to cure
Within 2-3 minutes you will see the resin become opaque as it hardens
Allow to cure for a full 30-40 minutes before removing the cast from the mould
A perfect cast!
Weighing the piece will tell you how much resin to mix for future casts, in this case 14g
You can buy ready-made 12mm cabochon eyes, or for a truly unique look you can make your own
I designed these eyes using Photoshop, from a photograph of a real cats eye
For best results print onto metallic pearl paper using an inkjet printer
Apply a tiny drop of UV resin to the centre of each eye. You could use other adhesive as long as it dries clear.
Place a 12mm glass cabochon onto each eye, and press down to squeeze the adhesive to the edge
Cure the resin under a UV lamp for 60 seconds
Draw a vertical line on the back. This will help to position the eyes the right way around in the mould.
Cut them out using scissors
Back to the mould, and I'm mixing pink and white acrylic paint to colour the nose
Apply the paint to the nose area of the mould using the point of a cocktail stick or similar
Let this dry for 20-30 minutes
To colour the fur I'm using pearl white Pearl Ex powder, but any mica powder will do
Apply to the mould using a soft paintbrush, but avoid the horns
To colour the horns I'm using copper sparkle mica powder
Tap out any excess into a waste bin, then use a puffer to remove any remaining loose powder
Now everything in my craft room sparkles :/
Use a moist cotton bud to clean away any powder from the eyes
The lines on the back of the cabochons help to line them up in the mould
Take your time to get these right
Fill the mould to the top with polyurethane resin
Uh oh, cat-aracts on the eyes...
Don't worry, Dr Ace can deal with those
Be sure to scrape any resin from the eyes while it's still soft
Look at those baby blues!
Drill a 1mm hole through the top of each ear
oop
Ball head pins
Feed a head pin through the hole, then bend it forwards by a full 90 degrees
Trim to 10mm using cutters
Form a loop using rounded pliers
Repeat for the other one
Drill another hole under the chin
If this cat gets any more holes I'll have to call him 'Pearce'
Glue an eye pin into the hole using 5 minute epoxy adhesive
When that's cured you can attach a charm
Ready for a cord or chain
Finished!
Once you have mastered the basics, you can start to have some fun with the design
For this one I'm creating glitter cabochons with clear nail varnish
Holographic glitter strands
Use multiple mica powder colours to build up a fur pattern
I didn't paint the nose because purple cats always have purple noses
tap, tap, tap
puff, puff, puff
This time the resin is coloured with 1 drop of blue polyurethane resin pigment
cat-aracts again...
My jokes don't get any better :/
Stay tuned for 12 design reveals coming up next
Galaxy Kitten
Love Kitten
Lucky Kitten
Chimera Kitten
Happy Kitten
Pearce XD
Bat Kitten
Rainbow Kitten
Butterfly Chaser
Chocolate Kitten
Lucifer
White Walker Kitten
oooh
Does anybody watch until after the outro? Let's find out ;)