Process:
(Foam core mold of the shoe)
(I traced the shoe sole, fit the shoe inside, and scored along to capture the 3D curvature)
(Hot glued the different parts together and to seal any gaps)
(Pouring silicone)
(I mixed both A-type and B-type silicone at a 50:50 ratio and poured on my shoe sole 3 times in total. I would pour once, wait until it’s adequately dry, then pour another layer. It was challenging to pour evenly throughout because the silicone would follow the curvature and flow down the front and back.)
(Pouring plaster)
(Deconstructing the foam core mold)
(Completed silicone and plaster mold)
Final:
(Plaster mold side-by-side with the actual shoe)
(My foot on the plaster mold!)
A. Explain what you learned or realized in this process…
1. Describe a challenging part of the process and what you learned from completing it
A challenging part of the process was definitely creating the foam core mother mold to be used for silicone and plaster casting later. It was especially difficult to score the board to bend them according to the curvature of the sole so that the shoe actually fits. From this, however, I learned more about the different ways to manipulate the foam core material, as well as how to make the mother mold for future projects involving casting.
2. What was a surprise outcome in this process and how did you feel about it?
An outcome in this process that came as a surprise was how quickly the plaster dried. It started to harden and heat up after just a few moments of pouring into the mold. I felt amazed by how fast the process was but also worried because it would mean it is easy to screw up if not done properly in time.
3. What would you do differently with a second attempt?
If I could have a second attempt, I think I would hold the shoe inside the foam core mold more securely because it kept slipping out from the hole. I had to tape it and place support underneath to prevent it from falling out.
4. How might you use this process for a future project?
I might use this process for a future project that might require me to capture the accurate details of an object because the silicone and plaster show perfect replication of the shape. I might also use this if I need to make multiple copies because I can use the silicone mold again and again.
B. Compare and Contrast: How was making the plaster mold and cast of your shoe sole different from making the wire shoe and paper shoes in terms of challenges, time management, etc.?
The making of the plaster mold and cast of my shoe sole was very different from making the wire and paper shoes. I would say it was easier and much faster than the previous two projects because I didn’t need to individually manipulate the materials to capture the 3D shape, I just needed to pour the silicone and plaster in.
