Make A Belly Cast
This is an excellent way to preserve your pregnant belly in 3D and once the cast is set, you can decorate it! I am writing this editorial based on my own experience making a belly cast and from tips from friends who have done it too. There are many resources online where you can purchase a Belly Casting Kit, or even hire an artist to help you -- see below for links. Since belly casting requires bearing most of your torso, this may be best done in a small Mother Blessing or baby shower. You can also make the cast ahead of time and decorate it at a Mother Blessing or baby shower.
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Belly Casting
Supplies!
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If a kit or artist sounds expensive, all you really need is:
- impregnated plaster of paris strips (from a craft or art supply store) -- at least two packages
- some petroleum jelly or cocoa butter (to lubricate mom's skin)
- a bucket or bin of water
- a big tarp, plastic sheet or old bed sheet
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How To Make A Belly Cast
- Cut the Plaster of Paris Strips
Unroll the impregnated plaster of paris strips and cut them into lengths that will cover the expecting mother's belly. You will also need some strips for her sides and to criss-cross between her breasts (assuming you are including her breasts in the cast)
- Prepare the Casting Area
A garage or basement is probably the ideal place to do a belly cast, unless you like cleaning plaster of paris out of your carpet. Lay down a tarp, plastic sheet, old bed sheet or layers of newspaper. Place a comfortable, but not fancy or expensive, chair in the center. If you like, cover the chair with a sheet too. Fill the bucket with warm water and place it near the chair. Have the cut plaster of paris strips nearby. Also, prepare an area where you will be able to leave the fresh cast to set overnight.
- Prepare the Pregnant Lady
If she is modest, you should create the cast before the Mother Blessing. To get a good cast of the entire belly, she really should only wear an old pair of underwear (as in ready to be thrown away anyway) to keep plaster of paris out of her pubic region. Use a generous amount of petroleum jelly or cocoa butter moisturizer to lubricate her belly and chest and any other body parts you want to include in the cast (but don't use too much as the plaster of paris strips may slip off). Don't forget to get under her belly too. Get her comfortable in the chair and use another sheet to cover her legs and shoulders that aren't being cast. You are welcome to get artistic about the position to make a belly cast in, but remember that the subject is pregnant and will have to remain comfortably in that position until the cast has set.
- The Goopy Mess
Following the impregnated plastic of paris strips package directions, dip the plaster of paris strips into the bucket of water and apply them to the expecting mother. I recommend starting by placing two strips vertically from her arm pits to her hips as side bars for the cast. Then, criss-cross at least two strips between her breasts (or across them if she is large breasted). Next, apply the strips around her belly, making sure to overlap them sufficiently. Start at the bottom of her belly and continue up until you have covered her belly and breasts. Dip your hands in the water and spread the plaster evenly around her belly, smoothing out the strips. Repeat for a second layer. Mom will start to feel the inside of the cast drying, so work quickly to keep the first layer from drying too much before you get the second layer going. To finish ,neatly tuck in the sides and edges, making sure they will be smooth when the cast is removed. Dip your hands in the water and smooth the plaster over the strips once again, making sure that everything is nice and smooth over her belly and breasts.
- The long wait
Now wash your hands and go get mom a nice cup of water with a straw so she can relax while you wait for the cast to harden. If you are her birthing partner, this will be good practice for remembering to keep her hydrated while she is in labor and putting up with her being cranky even though you are being really nice to her. Read the plaster of paris strips package directions as to how long it will take for the cast to set before it can be removed. When it is time, carefully pull the cast away from mom's body -- now we will find out how good of a job lubricating her belly you did!
- Running for the shower
Lay the fresh cast down on newspaper to harden somewhere where it won't get bothered by pets or other children. At this point, you should lay it down, "belly up", and not try to display it. Tuck in or cut off any rough edges. Follow package directions for time to let it set.
Now that you have the fresh cast set aside, help mom out of the chair. Get an old towel wet and try to get as much of the plaster off her as you can while she is still standing on the tarp or plastic sheet. Help her remove the old panties and throw them out. Help mom get to the shower without dripping too much plaster all over the place.
- Decorating
I still haven't gotten to this part yet on my own belly cast and my daughter is almost 2.5! Even a plain old belly cast is still astonishing, so you do not have to go any further. But if you like you can paint it with arcrylic paints or decorate it with flowers, stones, shells, beads and even lacquer it for extra protection. This can make a fun Mother Blessing activity that doesn't compromise the modesty of the expecting mom. If you use varnish around pregnant people, make sure it is in a well ventilated area or even outdoors.
Good luck and have fun!
Belly Casting Kits, Artists and Online Resources
Website: http://www.eternalmaternal.com
belly casting kits including natural belly lube and mounting hardware.
Website: http://www.castingkeepsakes.com/
baby hand & foot casting & bronzing kits - kits also available for older children and adults.
Website: http://www.proudbody.com
our fun & easy kit creates a unique keepsake of an expecting mom's pregnancy in the privacy of her home in under an hour.
Website: http://www.castingcreationsbellycasts.com
artist offering belly casting sessions as well as blessingway ceremonies in the southern california area.
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