Hand Cast Stone Information
All handcast items are individually handcast (by me) from one of my
original sculptures.
Hand painted in acrylics - each one is unique, no two are ever the same. All are signed and dated by myself. Some are limited editions and will also be numbered.
Each is made when ordered thus each piece takes approximately
7 - 14
days to complete
before shipping... this time is needed to cast, dry, paint and seal your unique piece. Please keep this in mind when ordering. Shipping takes approx. 2 - 7 days but normally
will fall within the 3 - 4 day range. Total time for you to receive your hand cast item could be
as much as 20+ business days. Larger orders please take into consideration the extra time it
may take to
individually create each item within your order. Christmas orders tend to create an extremely
heavy workload thus causing delays in almost all orders. This heavy workload tends to
start in early November. Order as far in advance as possible to ensure your holiday order
will arrive on time.
Holiday
Ordering Guidelines:
Christmas: Please order before December 10th if at all
possible. Many orders placed on or after December 10th will not be finished in time for
Christmas delivery. Also expect Postal delays during the month of December and
especially the last week before Christmas day.
All other holidays: Order at least 2 - 3 weeks in
advance of the holiday to ensure delivery in time for the holiday.
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The Process
Each item starts as a hand sculpted clay piece of artwork from my imagination. Different
types of clays are used depending on what I have available and what sort of mood I'm experiencing. Polymer clays that can be
hardened survive the mold making process much
better than oil based non-hardening clays but sometimes I much prefer the way the oil clay
moves beneath my fingers and tools. Shown to the right is a very intricately detailed Airedale
Terrier piece in progress. This piece is in oil based plasticene clay and will be destroyed
by the mold making process. The Great Dane below is of polymer heat hardened clay and will
most likely survive the mold making process. |
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After I'm satisfied that I want to reproduce a clay item,
it will be readied for mold making. I make my own molds with many different techniques
utilizing silicone, foam, plaster and other materials. These molds are quite delicate sometimes
and will only make so many accurate reproductions until it is ready for the trash. If I feel
that a
mold is delicate enough that it will produce a small quantity of castings, I may choose to limit
the casting to an edition that will be closed when "the mold breaks". Which means
there will
be no more of this item at that point. These limited castings will be numbered as well as signed
and dated. Second editions may become available if possible or warranted by demand.
Occasionally a sculpture is not suitable for creating a
mold and is thus a one of a kind original. Oil based clay one of a kinds are destroyed or modified
for proper mold making but polymer originals will usually be hardened, finished and auctioned on
ebay to the highest bidder.
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If you have any questions about my hand cast items or would like to
request/suggest a
design, please feel free to contact me.
My hand cast items are only available from me - I don't license any
of my artwork for mass
production or distribution within the gift ware market. Only my own hand crafted items are for
sale on this site so you can be sure you are not getting imported assembly line items that are
available everywhere - mine are unique to me, marketed only by me and in limited circulation.
If you see one of my items for sale elsewhere it will be on the secondary market - the original
owner is selling their item or you may find my items for sale at a benefit auction, dog show raffles,
etc.
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