Carve a design into the packed sand, then fill with plaster and let dry.
Sand casting is a fun way to make special stones for a garden or an artistic wall hanging for a bath or bedroom. You can make a simple mold filled with plain white plaster, or decorate the plaster with bits of beach glass, shells or whatever you have. You can then add a name or date, make a garden stone that records a birth or marriage, or just make an impression of your child's hands.
Instructions
1. Lay out newspaper to protect your work area.
2. Fill the pie pan half-full with sand.
3. Add oil to the sand until the sand sticks together.
4. Pat down the sand until it is about one inch consistently thick, building up another 1/2- to 3/4-inch on each side.
5. Fashion your design in the sand with a spoon or knife. Dig holes and build ridges where needed, and use toothpicks to write in letters and dates.
6. Carefully mix plaster of paris, following the package's directions.
7. Slowly spoon in plaster until the mold is covered. If you want to add ornamental objects, place them in the sand before spooning on plaster. If you want to hang the design somewhere, press a paper clip into the top edge of the casting.
8. Allow the plaster to dry overnight. Remove the plaster casting and brush off any excess sand.
