Hi,

I am thinking about using Plastercraft to make molds of my 8th grade
student's hands, and I have a few questions about timing and process.

We meet for 45 minute periods; if we use hot or warm water will this allow
enough time for the plaster to set?

Also, should students use some sort of a release before applying the
plaster. I imagine that their skin may dry out a lot from the contact with
plaster, but has anyone run into students having more severe skin reactions
to the materials?

Thanks,

Deborah

How many students do you have? While 45 minutes is plenty of time to apply
plastercraft, have it harden, and then remove it, you'd have to have lots of
helpers to get an average size class done in one class period.

I now have the luxury of having warm water in the classroom but it will also
set up okay with cold water. I didn't notice much difference in setting
time between the cold and warm water.

I've used vaseline on their hands/arms to keep the plastercraft from
sticking too badly. I also used to use this when I was casting their faces,
but these days (trying to be a little safer) I use plastic wrap over their
faces. I've never had any adverse reactions to either the plastercraft or
to the vaseline, but I know that there can be allergies to it.

When you're casting hands, just remember not to put the kids in a complete
cast by going all the way around their hands/wrists with the gauze!! I
learned this the hard way!

Here are some pictures of masks and an explanation and pictures re: how to
do hands:

http://www.art-rageous.net/Self-ExpressiveMasks2.html

Hope they turn out well!

Sharon