While I have been waiting for the Entry Floor tests to complete, I have been busy! I started work on the Grand Staircase Stair Railing balustrade.
Here are the couple of things I have been toying with using for the balusters.
 |
| It says Stair Railing to you, doesn't it? |
First, a jewelry connector I found at Hobby Lobby...and immediately thought...stair railing!! These I know I want to use...
I also found these skeleton keys at a local fair...and thought...hmmm....I wonder....?
I have to admit, I am vacillating on the exact look I want. I think the Skeleton Keys would add so much...but...
I have been casting and cutting off flashing for two days! I am getting a little weary of casting resin, to say the least!
These jewelry findings have very fine details, and casting them is quite a chore...a little like watching paint dry...it goes on and on...!
I am using the same process I used for many of the elements of the Entry floor, and I LOVE this stuff. It is so easy to use, and actually, for a project like this, goes quite quickly.
The first step is to use the Amazing Mold Putty to create several molds from the original piece. This honestly takes about 10 minutes total!
Next, I used the Amazing Casting Resin from the same company...http://www.amazingmoldputty.com/. I actually purchase mine through the local Hobby Lobby as well. This product UNLIKE the Amazing Clear Resin Product I posted about yesterday, is a quick, easy to use product. Yes, it is also a tad sticky here and there...but hey..you can't have everything!
To hasten the molding process a bit, I heat the silicone molds in the microwave for 1 minute...this helps ensure that the resin has the heat required to set properly. I then mix the resin parts A and B, stirring for 1 minute....until the resin combination is clear.
I set the timer on the oven for only 16 minutes...that magic number is all it takes for the resin to get hard enough to remove from the mold.
When I get done, I have something like this...
You can see the flashing that comes out of the mold....Well, guess what! I get to cut all of that off!
After cutting the flashing off of each piece, I end up with a near finished product that resembles the original.
I have done exactly 28 of these puppies....I need something like a hundred! I will likely not be posting for a day or two! I am buried in jewelry connectors!
Meanwhile, I continue to try and decide whether to go to the trouble to cast more of the keys...at the moment, it seems just a bit more than I want to do! But I am sure cooler heads will eventually prevail!
Be back soon!
Doug S
Hello Doug,
ReplyDeletethe staircase will be wonderful. I often try to find alternatives when something is long and boring...and months or years later I wind up renovating a room to do exactly what I should have done in the first place.
Take your time and think about it.
Big hug,
Giac
Hi there Giac,
ReplyDeleteYes, I have already learned that little lesson...There is no such thing as having no patience if you want to come out with something wonderful. It is rare that there are no down sides to work! I'll keep pluggin'!