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This is most often known as the ring of hands, a casting of three or more hands clasping each others wrist. The group of hands can be as large as there is room to hold each other’s wrist. The largest I have created is a ring of six grasping hands. Though the more common casting are groups of three and four hands cast in the wreath formation.

  

ArtMolds Lifecasting Series

Casting a Ring of Hands

Hand casting is perhaps the simplest form of life casting to learn, as one can determine from the reading of the previous chapter on hand casting. Hand castings are also an excellent gifts to present to loved ones, especially if it is for a parent or grandparent. Such gifts often bring a tear of emotion to to the receiver as it is indeed, a very sentimental present. However an even greater tug on the heart string  is the wreath of hands made the collective hands of family, friends, parents, children and even grandparents. 
Ring of Hands 8 handsRing of Hands - 6 hands

 

 

 

 

   Figure 2. Six hands            Figure 3. Eight hands

  

Ring of Hands 4 HandsRing of Hands 12 hands

  Figure 4. Twelve hands.     Figure 5. Four hands 

The ring of hands can also be created as a morale booster for an organization, club or department, and the like, to demonstrate togetherness and teamwork. As a suggestion, we are showing how groups of hands can be interconnected from three on up to the twelve shown in the example to even more if you have the space and the patience. Figures 2 through 5, show examples of hand ring poses. However, hands don't need to grab just the wrist, they can also grab hand-to-hand. So you can be very creative with this special project.

Materials

Figure 6. A table is readied with all the mold making and casting materials needed for the casting process. See the list on the right.

  

Molding Materials:

  • (1) 16-OZ Dixe cup
  • Measuring cup
  • 2- Mixing bowls or containers
  • Wire kitchen whisk
  • Box cutter or X-Acto knife
  • 1 Lb MoldGelSIFREE alginate (Fast Setting)
  • 1 Roll plaster gauze bandage
  • Distilled water
  • 5 –lb of CastRite of casting plaster
  • Mixing sticks
  • Putty knife
  • Plaster rasp
  • Cotton
  • Algislo
  • Corn oil
  • Chip brush
 
Preparation:

Bandage. Roll out about six to eight inches of the plaster bandage, then roll it back on itself, and then roll it back on itself again. This creates an “S” shaped plaster bandage. Cut it to create a three-ply thickness plaster bandage. Continue this until you have finished cutting the majority of the plaster bandage roll.  Do not use all of the plaster bandage to create the shell mold. You will want to keep some cut plaster bandages in reserve. These will be used to cover the arm holes when the mold is complete so the casting material will not leak out.

  

Ring of Hands 7

Figure 7. A plaster guaze bandage is unrolled and cut.

Cotton Pad. Cut a six-inch square of cotton and pull it apart to expose the center. You will use the center surface. We suggest veterinarian cotton as it is extremely soft and fuzzy, whereas drug store cotton is very compressed and not nearly as fuzzy.

  

Ring of Hands 8

Figure 8. A 6-inch square of cotton is cut and pulled apart at its center to expose the inside.
 

Alginate. We are creating a mold of four hands in this example. So measure out six pounds of water (6 cups) (soft or distilled water only) and one pound of medium setting alginate (5-minutes) such as MoldGel Regular Set in separate containers. Of course, if you are creating a mold of a large number of hands you will need to adjust the quantity of alginate upwards accordingly. Have a large mixing bowl or mixing container ready as well.

  

Ring of Hands 9

Figure 9. Measure out your alginate powder and water in advance.
 

Casting Cradle. Prepare a casting cradle to receive your ring of hands when the mold has been completed. To do so, fill a cardboard box, large enough to set the alginate mold in, to the top with Styrofoam packing peanuts. This will serve as a mold cradle for your finised mold when you are casting it.

  

Ring of Hands 18

Figure 10. Prepare a cardboard box of packing peanuts to be used as a casting cradle
 
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