The Catrina (C4405) and Posada (C4400) Molds make very nice magnets, however they can also be made with our Fiesta(C4415), Frida (C4410) or Oaxaca Mini (W3498) Molds. Since plaster must dry in the molds for up to 24 hours, if you need many magnets you will need several molds. Molds are reusable.
Project time – project takes 48 hours plus painting time
Supplies from your local hardware store – 3-pound box of Plaster of Paris (not the quick set), 1/2″ diameter magnets & epoxy
From your kitchen: disposable large cups, spoons, chopsticks, table coverings, jelly roll pan, rice beans or sand measuring cups, paper towels, acrylic paints, brushes and decorations
Instructions
- Lay out your molds on a covered table so they are perfectly level. I like to fill a large 10″ x 15″ jelly roll pan with rice or sand and nestle the empty molds into the rice for support. Have all molds ready in their drying spot before you mix up plaster.
- Mix 1 cup of dry plaster of paris into a large disposable cup or 1 lb coffee can with 3/4 cup cold water. Mix with a disposable spoon or chop stick. Work in small batches. Mix plaster to a pancake batter consistency. You may need more water.
- Working quickly, carefully pour liquid plaster into each skull cavity until slightly convex. Try to keep all plaster inside the mold and clean up any overflow with damp paper towels. The flat edge of a business card can be used to clean up and scoop drippings back into the head. Plaster skulls will sink down into the mold during the drying process so fill each skull about 1 Tablespoon more than level to allow for shrinkage.
- To remove air bubbles from the skulls, pick up molds and drop them onto a counter-top from the height of about 2 inches, so any trapped air bubbles are forced to escape. Replace onto the drying area.
- Leave the molds in a warm spot to dry, about 24 hours.
- Pop the skulls out of the molds when dry and continue drying another 24 hours, turning occasionally.
- No mold release, oil or PAM is necessary when making refrigerator magnets.
- To make a nice looking edge around the plaster skulls, lay face up, on coarse sandpaper and move the skull in a circular motion to clean up irregular edges. This also “roughs up” the back of the skull to get the epoxy to bond better to the magnet.
- Return plaster skulls to the rice filled jelly roll pan, face down, so they are perfectly level .
- Attach 1/2 inch diameter magnets to the back side with fast drying epoxy (1 minute epoxy is fine). Keep the skull heads level or magnets will slide before set. Do not use hot glue or white glue as they do not bond to the slick surface of the magnets.
- Paint and decorate magnet with acrylic paints, glitter glue, sequins, beads and crafter’s rhinestones.