Thread: Molding and Casting for light fixture - Advide needed

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I put this together last year. I've accumulated a few more light fixtures and want to make more, but more customized. For this, I just used $1.49 skulls from Michael's and drilled out the center to fit the candle part through.

For the new ones, my plan is to sculpt the skull in clay, leaving a hole for the candle area so that I don't have to drill it out. So far, I have only worked very basically with preformed molds and plaster and do not have much experience. I have read a lot but there are so many choices out there, I thought I would get some advice here first.

I know I don't want to use plaster for the final product (too heavy) but need it to be durable and even though the candle area is protected by pvc/like material - preferably something heat tolerant (just in case). It also needs to be paintable.

Can anyone recommend the best method (products) for creating the mold and for the casting material? I'm not sure whether to go with rigid or flexible mold, and totally flexible on the casting material to be used as long as it is lightweight, keeps detail and is paintable. Oh yeah, I would "like" for it to be cheaper in the end than the $1.49 each that the Michael's skulls cost.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

How bout casting in plastic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R8n85QgRH4