Do you like those pretty ice sculptures at weddings and want to know how to make your own ice sculpture molds? Here is how it is done:
Items:
Fun shaped item. (See below)
Liquid Latex and Paint Brush
Gauze
Aluminum Foil
Box of Packing Peanuts (optional)
Water
Step One: Find a hard toy, vase, door stop figurine, or other fancy item that has a shape that would look good if you made it in ice.
Examples: An old children’s bank in the shape of Mickey Mouse makes a great Mickey Mouse ice sculpture mold for a children’s party. The plastic flamingo in the yard makes a nice bird ice sculpture mold. The cute little Santa statue from the Christmas box, will make cute little Santa ice sculpture molds. The large-size wedding cake toppers make the same size ice sculpture molds.
Step Two: Scotch tape over any air holes on the item that you want to make an ice sculpture mold from so that none of the Latex mold material gets inside of your treasured item. Place your item on a sheet of aluminum foil.
Step Three: Paint one layer of liquid Latex over your treasured item, and out onto the foil sheet about 2-inches all of the way around and let it dry for 30-45 minutes. Do this a second time and let dry. Do this a third time and let dry. Do this a fourth time and let it almost dry.
Step Four: Take a piece of thin gauze material and pat it down over your almost dried layer four. This material is going to reinforce your liquid Latex mold so that it will hold its shape better. One layer of gauze is all that you need. Gauze material is found inexpensively in the bandage section of the store or inside of your handy first aid kit.
Step Five: Repeat step three and add four more layers of liquid Latex to your ice sculpture mold. Allow this liquid Latex mold to dry for at least 24-hours.
Step Six: Peel the liquid Latex mold off of your treasured item. When it is very dry it will come off easily, if the ice sculpture mold is still feeling like it is sticking, you are not dry yet.
Step Seven: Your ice sculpture mold will feel rubbery. Fill it up with water and watch the sides to see if it is bulging outward and not holding its shape. If the mold is not strong enough to hold its shape, add another layer of gauze and four more layers of liquid Latex as explained in step three above and try again.
Step Eight: Wash your new Latex ice sculpture mold in dish water and let air dry. Next, put the mold into a box of packing peanuts so that the rim of the mold is flat on top of the packing peanuts. The packing peanuts will support the bottom of the mold without bending the ice sculpture mold out of shape.
Step Nine: Fill the ice sculpture mold with water (or colored water) and freeze until solid. Dip ice sculpture mold into warm water quickly to have the ice sculpture release easily. This mold may be reused many times. Use ice sculptures as centerpieces for all of your party needs.
Unusual Ice Sculpture Ideas: Molded ice sculptures can be placed in the yard at Christmas time if you live in a cold climate. They look very interesting if made from colored water and have twinkle lights nearby. Animal ice sculptures are fun to have in the yard all winter long.
