DIY plaster Instructions

“Every child is an artist.” – Pablo Picasso

AUTUMN DIY Plaster Ladybugs kit is for children’s craft! Your kid will get to cast their own ladybugs, and paint them.
Art and crafts are important for child development: help develop communication skills, fine motor skills, encourage critical thinking, build resilience, improve self-esteem.
Plaster of Paris is a fun material to work with. Plaster of Paris is a mixture of gypsum and water. It is easy to prepare and sets in a few minutes. Plaster is safe if used as intended; it is easy to clean.
Paints are made in the USA.
All materials are safe and non-toxic.
Everything you need is included.

What’s inside the box:
Plaster of Paris 14.5 oz (410 gramm)
Acrylic paints (red, black, white)
Paintbrush 3 pcs
Stir Stick
Mold 3 pcs
Mold tray 3 pcs

Also you will need (and it is NOT included):
Container to mix plaster

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

  • Plaster of Paris can quickly disperse into the air as dust. We recommend using a dust mask when mixing it.

  • Avoid ingestion of plaster or paints.

Here are some easy-to-follow steps on creating plaster ladybugs: 

  1. Pour 1 cup of water into a container. Use cool or room temperature water.

  2. Tear off the bag with plaster, and carefully open it.

  3. Little by little sprinkle the entire bag of plaster into the water, steering continuously with a stir stick. Keep mixing slowly to get a smooth consistency without lumps and bubbles. Vigorous mixing will create air bubbles.

  4. Let the mixture sit for 1 minute to allow the powder to absorb all the water. Do not exceed the time, or plaster will begin to stiffen very quickly.

  5. Once plaster is ready, pour the mixture into the molds. Allow to cure for 1 hour.

  6. When the plaster is set, carefully release the finished items from the molds, and let the plaster dry completely before painting. Usually drying takes 1-2 days in a warm dry place, or you can do it faster.

  7. For faster drying, put the finished items into a preheated oven at 200 F for 1 hour, and cool them.

  8. Paint your ladybugs any way you’d like! To protect your ladybugs from environmental damage we recommend using a clear acrylic sealer (not included).

  9. ENJOY!

Useful tips
To slow the drying time of the mixture, add 1-2 drops of lemon juice into the water before pouring the plaster.
To make the plaster durable, add some glue to the mixture.
Experiment by adding glitter to the mixture for a fun shimmer look.

“Art is a place for children to learn to trust their ideas, themselves, and to explore what is possible.” - MaryAnn F. Kohl

 

Download DIY Plaster Manual (PDF file)