A press mold allows you to create detailed work without the need for sculpting.
A simple technique allows you to make exact copies of shells in very little time, with very little effort. To save yourself the time and effort of actually sculpting a shell in all its detail, simply make a mold of some real shells. Then you can easily duplicate as many as you wish. Self-hardening clay is an ideal substance from which to create not only the mold, but the duplicate copies of the shells as well. You can use this method to create copies of other detailed objects as well.
Instructions
1. Gather the best shells you have for which you want to make a mold. Knead some clay like bread dough to until it has a nice and even consistency. Use a small shell for your first mold.
2. Create a small ball of clay by rolling it your hands. Place it on the table and flatten it with a roller. Keep it about two or three times the thickness of the actual shell.
3. Press the detailed side of the shell into the clay. Apply enough pressure to embed the shell to the half-way point. Avoid going too deep and creating undercuts which will ruin the mold. Press in just enough to see the outline of the shell in the clay.
4. Release the shell using the tip of a knife, revealing the impression of the shell in the clay. Let the mold dry for a day or two until it has hardened. Using it when wet will distort and destroy the mold.
5. Create your first copy using a small piece of clay large enough to fill the mold. Roll the clay into a ball and press it into the mold with the palm of you hand. Press the clay into every crevice in the mold with your thumb.
6. Cut the excess clay from the mold with a wire. Keep the wire taught as you pull it across the top of the mold. This will remove all the clay except for what is in the mold.
7. Make another small ball of clay and press it onto the clay that is inside the mold. Lift out the clay and you have a perfect copy of the shell from the mold. Separate the clay from the shell copy and let the clay shell dry.
8. Repeat the same procedure to create more press molds of other shells.
