Seatan
07-17-2014, 11:35 PM
I'm going to come out and admit it: I was scared to try and make stuff out of silicone and other rubbers or plastics. The whole process just seemed like OMG SUCH A BIG DEAL that I pushed many an idea to the back of my head, unwilling to give it a go because I was worried I would be in over my head. I'm not sure why I felt this way... I guess because your average Joe doesn't use these materials and some of the tutorials out there (not just on mernetwork, but all over the cosplay world) make it seem like you need to be some kind of costume expert to use these materials? Not to mention how much drama goes into making stuff on Face Off. It seemed like using any of those materials would be a major endeavor, and I wasn't sure I would be able to handle it.
Finally I decided to give it a go, and I was VERY pleasantly surprised by how easy it really is! Honestly, any kid could do it (were semi-dangerous chemical reactions not involved). You mix some stuff together and either pour it over whatever you want to make or paint it on. Then you remove the original and pour or brush something into the mold. That is the entire process, and it's no harder than baking a cake from a box. So here is my little public service announcement: If you've been too nervous to try using liquid rubbers and plastics, go for it! It's no big deal!
The stuff comes in a box, you mix it together, and you either pour it over or spread it with a brush. It's easy to do, and if you mess up it truly is no big deal. Just do it again. It's really not all that different from making things out of paper mache as a kid. If making a tail seems overwhelming, just invest thirty to sixty bucks and make some small stuff to see how easy it can be! It's a load of fun, and WAY easier to learn than sewing! In fact, it's easier than many kinds of crafts, but gives MUCH cooler results. Making nice stuffed animals can be a pain in the BUTT (man I hate invisible stitches!), but making a little creature out of clay then casting it in rubber is a comparative breeze--yet for some reason everyone will be WAY more impressed by it. (Because, obviously, ANYBODY can make a stuffed animal but you gotta be something special to make it in rubber or plastic! :p)
So seriously, if you've been wanting to make some cool mermaid accessory and can't figure out how to do it in fabric or whatever, give silicone or some other plastic a try. Honestly, I think it would be easier to make a rubber or plastic starfish and put it on a top then waste time trying to waterproof those suckers! I was very pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the whole process is, and hope that my experience will encourage other crafty people to give it a go! There is no need to fear!
Finally I decided to give it a go, and I was VERY pleasantly surprised by how easy it really is! Honestly, any kid could do it (were semi-dangerous chemical reactions not involved). You mix some stuff together and either pour it over whatever you want to make or paint it on. Then you remove the original and pour or brush something into the mold. That is the entire process, and it's no harder than baking a cake from a box. So here is my little public service announcement: If you've been too nervous to try using liquid rubbers and plastics, go for it! It's no big deal!
The stuff comes in a box, you mix it together, and you either pour it over or spread it with a brush. It's easy to do, and if you mess up it truly is no big deal. Just do it again. It's really not all that different from making things out of paper mache as a kid. If making a tail seems overwhelming, just invest thirty to sixty bucks and make some small stuff to see how easy it can be! It's a load of fun, and WAY easier to learn than sewing! In fact, it's easier than many kinds of crafts, but gives MUCH cooler results. Making nice stuffed animals can be a pain in the BUTT (man I hate invisible stitches!), but making a little creature out of clay then casting it in rubber is a comparative breeze--yet for some reason everyone will be WAY more impressed by it. (Because, obviously, ANYBODY can make a stuffed animal but you gotta be something special to make it in rubber or plastic! :p)
So seriously, if you've been wanting to make some cool mermaid accessory and can't figure out how to do it in fabric or whatever, give silicone or some other plastic a try. Honestly, I think it would be easier to make a rubber or plastic starfish and put it on a top then waste time trying to waterproof those suckers! I was very pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the whole process is, and hope that my experience will encourage other crafty people to give it a go! There is no need to fear!