PMC - what to use for moulding fingerprints | CREATE YOUR STYLE Community

Author: gitane at Saturday, May 09 at 09:17

PMC - what to use for moulding fingerprints

Hi - i was wondering if anyone could help me.....

i would like to make a fingerprint mould of my kids....but i cant remember the stuff to use for the mould??

any PMC help would be great to hear!!

thanks

jen

Author: Kenji 賢治 (kenem) at Friday, May 15 at 06:53

Hi Jen

There are two different mediums that you could use for making moulds of your childrens fingerprints. The first is a two-part silicone compound that you mix together and which hardens in about 5 minutes. Here is one of the many places that you can find the compound: http://www.artclayworld.com/cartgenie/prodList.asp?scat=277

The second medium that you can use is Fimo, Sculpey or Kato polymer clays. You can have a look at what's available here:

http://www.theclaystore.com/pages-main-category-65/polymer-clays.html?zenid=ee16a4218bf9d8942e3d8e4dd3a9fca0

I'm not advertising for either one of the above stores as I've not ordered from either one but, you can get an idea on these websites as to what is available.

I use both Fimo and two-part compounds for my moulds, depending on what I'm making a moulds of. For what you're looking to do (your children's fingerprints) I would suggest using just a polymer clay (any of the brands available on the market) as they are a lot cheaper than the two-part silicone compounds and the results will be the same.

I hope that helps Jen, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. Ciao ciao from Paris...

Kenem

Author: jacky-m at Saturday, May 16 at 06:49

Ok Kenem ....

Now that you have mentioned two new things - can you tell me the difference between Polymer Clay and PMC. I am thinking that PMC is the Precious Metal leaving you with an ornament that's solid silver/gold/bronze while the Polymer Clay leaves you with ............ what?? Plastic??? Are they the same to use? Not that I'm really interested in anything plastic - just trying to learn and I think the Mad Cow is really hitting me big time because I can't seem to concentrate and make sense of any of it so my starter kit is still in my drawer .

Are you in the States yet?? Come back via Dubai my friend - pretty please??

Hugs

jacky x x

Author: Kenji 賢治 (kenem) at Monday, May 18 at 00:45

Still in Paris...

Will be heading to the States mid-June for a month. Looking forward to the sun as winter was quite rude here in France this year. Looking at Dubai for September as I already have my tickets for the States and I can't change the itinerary. But, fret not, I'll get there....

You're right Jacky in that PMC™ (Precious Metal Clay) is a silver clay that, when fired, will leave you with a fine silver piece of jewelry (or anything else you want to make with it). The other silver clay on the market is Art Clay™. There is also BRONZclay™ and COPPRclay™ which will leave you with items made of either bronze or copper.

And again, you're right, polymer clays are made up of polymer polymervinyl chloride (PVC) and a plasticizer, a sort of "plastic" if you like, and have nothing to do with metal clays, other than the fact that they're both called clays. Polymer clays are "baked" at 110°C for 20 minutes and then harden. As with metal clays, you can make just about anything out of it. I myself only use it to make texture plates for use with metal clays but, there are some people that make some pretty extraordinary things with it. You kind of have to get the "plastic" out of your head because plastic can have some negative connotations. Here's a link to a photo of an orchid that was made from polymer clay : http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2560014632_7511faf57b.jpg?v=0 .

Ciao ciao from Paris

Kenem

Author: jacky-m at Friday, June 12 at 17:01

Hi Kenem

This is terrible - how come I'm not being "told" that somebody answered a message?? So you must think I'm dead or something not having replied to thank you for your explanation on top !!

September would be good but do not book the tickets yet because some friends are coming here for a few days for their honeymoon - I know they're getting married on the 11th September and then stopping in Cyprus for a week or so and then on to Dubai for a while ............. so unless you're coming the first week of September which would be perfect, I will have to let you know any other days available - it's going to start feeling like a hotel around here - what fun !!

But you would love Dubai for sure ........... so many little bits and pieces we can go shopping for - all the little Indian mirrors of all shapes and sizes, beads, sequins, semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls and all sorts of SWARVOSKI of course - and all tax free !!!!!

Huglets

jacky xx

Author: dasaucier at Tuesday, November 16 at 03:50

Silcone Molding Compound

Jen,

Personally, I use Belcone two part silicone molding compound and have found that this one give me the best definitions for fingerprint molds for PMC

Sparkles

Deb

Author: artistrybyme at Wednesday, October 19 at 21:39

Molding compound cure time

I am interested in making fingerprint jewelry in PMC as well but I have not tried any of the above techniques yet as I'm still unsure which product to use. All of the molding compounds that I have read about seem to require at least a 5 min curing time. Doesn't that mean that you need the finger to remain still for the 5 minutes for it to hold its shape? That would be next to impossible for a small child... Am I missing something? This will probably seem obvious but don't I need to make a "mold of the mold" in order to make an impression into the metal clay? If so, how much detail is lost in that process?

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

Author: edith cavell at Wednesday, October 19 at 21:58

ADVICE

If you read the postings here, it might give you an idea about fingerprints. I wonder whether the new epoxy compound, Crystal Clay", might work. When you leave an imprint it, stays there. You have about an hour and half to work the clay if you are not satisfied and then you leave it for 24 hours to harden (no heating). There is another product available in the epoxy range available also.

PMC - what to use for moulding fingerprints