So what's the best Valentine's Day Gift?

Forget gifting flowers for Valentine's Day - it's such a cliché!  Furthermore, how long do they last? Not long at all!

This year, gift your loved one something far more memorable and ever-lasting, a truly thoughtful Valentine's Gift for this year is a Holding Hands Casting Kit.  "What's that?", we hear you ask, let us explain... A hold hands casting kit is a simple do-it-yourself at home crafting kit, where you can create a beautiful 3D sculpture of you and your loved one holding hands forever. Easily making it one of the most creative valentines day gifts with huge sentimental value.

Just imagine it, you and your partner, wife or husband holding hands forever - a special and most unique keepsake that will last far longer than your lifetimes.  Better than flowers right?

A stunning keepsake hands sculpture that will take pride of place in your home forever and one that can be passed down to your children and generations to follow - making a true family heirloom!  

Look at the intricate details that have been replicated - the tiniest of skin details, wrinkles, veins, fingerprints, nails, cuticles and the most incredible detailing in jewellery, all captured in true life form.

How to make a Holding Hands 3D Cast

The above pictured bronzed hand cast was made using a BabyRice Casting Kit for Couples Holding Hands.  The kit contains everything you need and there's a choice of paint finishes to choose from.  The holding hand cast pictured above is finished in the Bronze Metallic Wax.

The most basic of materials you need to create a holding hands cast is:

1. 1kg of Alginate to create the impression mould of your holding hands (BabyRice alginate is formulated to replicate the most intricate of skin details, but you can use alternative alginates to make your impression mould, please follow the manufacturer's instructions)
2. A container for making the impression mould (a 5L container at approx. 20cm in height and 21cm in diameter is ideal.  This enables a good depth for hands to fit into, rather than being a short height container with a wide diameter)
3. At least 1kg of casting plaster (BabyRice kits use Herculite 2 casting plaster - this is a strong and durable plaster that is hard-wearing and will ensure your cast lasts longer than a lifetime.  Plaster of Paris is NOT recommended for any keepsake casting projects due to it's poor durability)

The process to create the cast is amazingly simple, when you consider the astonishing result!  

Below is the gist of how a holding hands cast is created - if you want to create your own amazing 3D sculpture keepsake, please do purchase a complete kit specifically designed for couple hand casting.  A kit will have everything you need, including detailed instructions, to ensure that you can't go wrong in making your hand cast.  

The entire process is pretty simple:

1. Hold hands with your loved one and dunk hands into the alginate - this will make an impression mould of your hands
2. Once alginate has set, you can easily remove your hands without ruining the impression mould (it's amazing that it retains it's shape!)
3. Mix water with plaster to make a smooth plaster mix and gently pour into the impression mould (taking care to fill in all areas of the impression mould and not create air pockets)
4. After an hour or so, the alginate can be removed from what is now the plaster cast - which will be your special keepsake

Painting Your Holding Hands Cast

Some like to leave their plaster cast in it's natural white plaster form - but we recommend painting your plaster cast.  Why?  Because by adding a layer or two of paint, followed by a metallic wax, the paint finish will not only seal the plaster and give it a layer of protection, but painting the cast also greatly enhances the skin details.  You can purchase your holding hands casting kit from BabyRice with a choice of paint options, from metallic paint, to the metallic wax finish. Lots of colours are available such as bronze, silver, pewter, gold, champagne, brass, pink, blue, white, black:

See what other people have made with a BabyRice Holding Hands Casting Kit

We're sure you will agree that these casts are stunning - each and everyone unique and personal for the couple to cherish forever. Such a beautiful and lasting keepsake that you and your partner can make to celebrate this year's Valentine's Day.

Sentimental Valentines Gift

Of course, such a creative diy valentines gift need not only be for your partner, wife or husband.  If you like to celebrate Valentine's Day with parents and/or grandparents, then a holding hands casting kit is surely going to be one of the best Valentines present you can possibly gift!

I want a kit!  Where can I get one from?

Want to make your own keepsake holding hands cast?  Purchase the full kit from BabyRice and get casting and creating your very own 3D sculpture hand cast!