Heys

I'm working on my Suzaku cosplay for Amecon
http://www.cosplayisland.com/costume/view/14855

and I need to make the red gems, after a little research I have discovered that resin casting is the way forward.

Though I wondered if anyone knew of a reputable make for resin casting materials to look out for on ebay, or of a particular place to go to get them.

Also any help on where to look for moulds and dyes and such would be very useful!

I've never done it before so totally at a loss, last time I did a similar cosplay I tried to find gems on ebay but they were nowhere near big enough, and were faceted.

so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I suggest using Smooth-On products for making molds - which you can find at http://www.modelshop.co.uk/

They also sell casting resin along with pigments for tinting clear resin.

Everything is under the "Cast and Mould" section on the left

I've recently started gem casting and the likes as well!

I've been using this site for resin dyes: EMA models
I suggest using the transparent dyes and backing them with silver card/tin foil/thin metal plating for a nice shine ^^

As far as moulds are concerned, if you want some nice generic shapes like round/oval/etc you can use the above-mentioned shop too or search for soap moulds on eBay ^^

If you want to create more complex shapes I would recommend making a prototype out of Sculpy/Fimo/Milliput and cast it in a two-part silicone putty, it cures within about 10 minutes and you can cast your resin in it really nicely! It's what I've been doing, a little pricey but gorgeous outcome

Also look at cake decoration/sugar moulds; the cooking ones are generally silicone. That two-part putty is fantastic stuff, I totally agree; it's so quick and takes the detail perfectly.

I've taken to using Gedeo Crystal Resin, it's a bit pricier (depends how often you'll be using it I guess), but it doesn't produce fumes or heat so you can use it indoors if you're short on space, and gives the same finished results as other resin.

Some tutorials say you can use transparent glass paints to tint the resin, but I've found whilst it works in some cases, certain shades loose their transparency when mixed with the resin, so I stick with the special resin colours now so I know it'll always work.

Edit: I use http://www.modelshop.co.uk/ and http://www.londongraphics.co.uk/ to get my supplies (not sure what ordering online is like from them, I go to the shop itself).

Ah yes, those too! I managed to get 12 assorted chocolate moulds on eBay for a few quid haven't tried them yet but they would certainly do the job as well

Oh and silicone ice cube moulds are good too, and for my first lot of test gems I used an artist palette ^^ Jackson's Discount Art Supplies

Tbh as long as the mould is something silicone or hard plastic you shouldn't have problems or any funny chemical reactions ^^

You have to be careful because some resins react to latex/silicone moulds and won't set properly. Many shops that sell casting products have a good help support, so don't be afraid to ask what type of mould to use.

For gems I use artist pallets a fair bit. The ones with the little round wells make excellent small gems.

-Tab

Please say you're doing this for the code geass group at amecon as i'm going to be emperor lelouch and need a knight of zero lol. I can also help as i'm having to make the large red gems on lelouchs outfit. I went to http://www.fredaldous.co.uk/ and got my resin and moulds from there ^_~ Haven't tried them yet, just waiting for the weather to improve somewhat lol.

This is a tutorial I use for casting Green Lantern rings out of resin using a latex situation. it works FANTASICLY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO3v_zoS9GU&feature=related

I have used "easycast" from here:
http://www.artclaysupplies.co.uk/show_ac.php?mc=resin&catid=10&pg=1

it was really easy to do and they also sell suitable moulds, colourants etc - the service is really good too