[Katherine Swift]

This question comes from Daphne:

I need help figuring out the best materials to use to replicate doll shoes and how to go about doing it. The shoes are like Barbie or Monster High shoes (the material). Some have straps and other shapes but I’d like to replicate them including the detail on the bottom of the shoes. So I’d like to make a full mold for them but I don’t know the best method or what materials to use. If it would be impossible for me to make the mold without replicating the bottoms then I’d be ok with the flat bottom.

[Katherine Swift]

Hi Daphne, this is going to be a little tricky.

First, imagine cutting the shoe in half from top to bottom. Because the top half isn’t anything like the bottom half, you are going to have to create a mold that splits from side to side.

Basically, you want to create the mold like this dinosaur mold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DejiH6M9qBM&t=145s

I realize after watching the video, you will likely have more questions. I’m here to help. 🙂

[Katie]

I don’t know if she intends for the shoes to be removable but I do. Hi, I’m wanting to do some custom work with some monster high dolls but I need to duplicate a pair of heels and a pair of boots multiple times. I only have one pair of each and need a lot more. I intend for the shoes to be removable.

So I’m on my phone and I can’t paste pictures and it won’t copy the link address. But a quick Google or ebay search will show you what the shoes look like. The red high heels from the Monster high Cleo disembodied student council and the tall tan boots from the Monster high Gilda disembodied student council set. The boots have a slit up the back to help with removal.

I’ve never done anything like this and could use all the advice I could get. Thank you in advance.

[Katherine Swift]

Did you have a chance yet to check out the links above? I think they will answer a lot of your questions, especially the video.

[Nancy]

Hi, I’ve made a pretty good mold for shoes with 100% silicone that you first squeeze into soapy water and then I used a small container and pressed my shoes into. My issue now is finding the right product to fill that mold. Silicone paste and cornstarch did not work. Is there a product out there that can pour and then be come rubber?

[Katherine Swift]

It sounds like you will need to use more silicone to cast the mold. Be sure to use a mold release, otherwise, you will create a large block of silicone.

[Katherine Swift]

Hi Daphne,

When cutting into the mold, you want it to be as straight as possible. Otherwise, the edges may not come back straight again.

Yes, you will need a mold release as well. This is the one I like to use: https://shop.resinobsession.com/collections/tools-and-supplies/products/petrolease-non-silicone-food-grade-mold-release Use a light coat on your piece before casting

Yes, resin can be painted with acrylic paint. You can see what happened when I did it here: https://www.resinobsession.com/resin-resin-resin/painting-on-resin You can finish with a coat of Mod Podge if desired. I have never used Liquitex on cured resin.

Resin isn’t meant to be bendable …. but ….. some resins, like Easycast are bendable, especially when cast thin. We have EasyCast in our store here: https://shop.resinobsession.com/collections/resin/products/castin-craft-easycast-clear-casting-epoxy-8-oz-kit

If it were me, I would find a way to cast the shoes, then add the strap later. If you pour out a little bit of Easycast onto a piece of wax paper, you can shape it once it partially cures. I would cut shoe straps from that. You can see what I’m talking about here: https://www.resinobsession.com/resin-tutorials/how-to-make-resin-beads

Since you don’t have any experience with molding, I suggest using the Composimold material. https://shop.resinobsession.com/collections/mold-making-materials/miscellaneous You can remelt the material when/if you make a mistake. I think it will work great for casting your shoes!

If I were to do this project, I would cast the shoes without the strap and do it like in the dinosaur video above. Then, you could add the strap later.

Do you intended for the shoes to come on and off?

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