MAKING OF AN ANIMAL CROSSING BATH BOMB
In crafting my latest bath bombs, inclusive of this Animal Crossing fossil, I've circled back to beginning each design with a trusty chunk of clay. It's a bit of a full-circle moment, considering my initial foray into custom bath bomb molds began with clay, though I didn't quite take to it initially. Instead, I ventured into experimenting with other materials, like wood – surprisingly finding it more manageable than clay, despite what you might think!
Once I've shaped the clay into something that resembles my vision, albeit somewhat loosely, the next step is to let the clay dry before moving on to creating a more relaxed vacuum-formed mold. I've learned from experience that a too-tight vacuum form can be a nightmare, stubbornly clinging to the clay instead of releasing it.
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After the plastic shell has cooled and set firmly, it's time for the plaster pour. Working with plaster is my preferred method; it's forgiving and allows for gradual refinement. This is especially useful for achieving those intricate details and sharp accents. For me personally, hand modeling with clay just doesn't offer the same level of precision and control needed for those tiny nooks (ha-ha get it?) and crannies.
After the plaster cast has set, it's all about refining the design, which means it's time to bring out my arsenal of tools and get to work on chipping away and shaping the details. This part of the process requires patience and precision, so I make sure to take regular breaks for my wrists and fingers – no one wants to end up with carpal tunnel syndrome! But the effort is always worth it. The satisfaction of seeing the design come to life is unmatched, and the end results really speak for themselves.
Once I'm happy with the first half, I repeat the entire meticulous process for the other side. After all, I'm aiming for a completely three-dimensional, 360-degree fossil bath bomb here, not just a one-sided design with a flat back!
Completing the mold and having it fit just right is always a thrilling moment. It's time to whip up a small batch of bath bomb mix to test out the new mold and get a sneak peek at how the final product will look. I've learned from experience not to jump the gun and make a full batch right away – there's nothing more disheartening than a whole batch of bath bombs that don't meet expectations!
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Since I'm going for a two-toned effect with this bath bomb, I carefully layer in the little white accents first, followed by the main blue color. And, of course, the centerpiece – a tiny dinosaur fossil toy! The moment of truth always gives me a bit of a thrill, and I must say, the outcome is just as delightful as I'd hoped.
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Now, with the successful creation of this little bath-time gem, it's back to unearthing more fossils on my virtual island :)
