Inspired by Wicked’s Elphaba, I decided to craft a green finger dusted with bronze sparkle, alongside a black fingernail. I used molding and casting techniques to bring this vision to life.

Steps I Followed

In class, we learned that alginate is an affordable, water-based material ideal for one-time-use molds. Since it shrinks as it dries, the mold must be used shortly after setting.

1. Preparing the Alginate Mix

• I combined 33 g of alginate with 125 g of water, measuring precisely to ensure the correct setting time.
• The mixture was stirred for about 3-4 minutes until smooth and almost runny.

2. Forming the Mold

• I inserted my two fingers gently into the alginate mix.
• After 5-7 minutes, the mold solidified around my fingers.
• Carefully, I removed my fingers to avoid breaking the mold. I found wiggling my fingers to be helpful in getting it out!

3. Creating the Cast with Plaster

To replicate the mold, I used plaster to form a sculptable cast of my finger.

• I prepared the plaster mix by combining plaster powder with water in a 2:1 ratio approximating this time using the size of the beaker. I saw I would have to add a little more to get the right consistency. 
• With guidance from the TAs during class, I adjusted the mixture to achieve a smooth consistency.
• Before pouring, I attached a screw to a jig to embed it into the cast. I found it very hard to get the screw inside and the allingment of the holes was not even with the holes of my fingers!
• I then slowly poured the plaster into the alginate mold, ensuring even distribution.
• The cast was left to dry overnight before demolding the next morning.
  

4. Demolding

• Once the plaster had solidified, I carefully broke the alginate mold to reveal the casted finger.
• However I did not like the outcome of my finger as part of the mold had broken off revealing the screws on the side. I was pleased to see the finger still in tact but could have been improved if I positioned the screws better. I would in the future allign my fingers to match the length of the holes on the jig. 

Outcome ^

Painting and Finishing

1. Spray-painted the casted finger with green and bronze sparkle dust to resemble Elphaba’s aesthetic.
2. Painted the fingernail black for a contrast, using a thin brush to create depth.
3. Spray painted a clear coat of gloss to preserve the color and texture.
   
   

Cost Analysis

Cost Type	Item	Price	Source	Quantity	Total
Materials	Alginate	$18.25	LINK	1	$18.25 (Since I would have to buy the bag anyways to get specific amount)
	Plaster of Paris	$9.75	LINK	1	$9.75 (Since I would have to buy the bag anyways to get specific amount)
	Spray Paints (Green, Bronze Sparkle, Black, Clear Coat)	$5.98 (green) $9.78 (bronze gold) $5.98 (clear coat)	green spray paint Bronze gold spray paint Clear coat	1 of each	$21.74
	Jigs	$8.99 for 100	LINK	3	$0.26
	Screws (2x)	$7.99 for 169	LINK	4x	$0.21
	Mixing Containers	$10.99	LINK	1	$10.99
	Stirrers (popsicle sticks)	$10 for 500	LINK	15	$0.30
Labor	Molding and Casting Engineer (Me)	$41/hr	LINK	4.5hrs	$184.5
Overhead	Outdoor area	$0	The outdoors!		–
TOTAL	$246.00

Reflection on Cost Analysis

Based on the total cost of $246.00, producing 1-2 molds is relatively expensive, particularly considering the small size of the fingers used in this project. Larger molds would likely require even more materials, increasing costs. So I would think that to be efficient with expenses, precise measurements of alginate and plaster are important to minimize waste while ensuring enough material remains for future projects. Additionally, some costs are driven by the purchasing materials in bulk, such as alginate, plaster, and spray paints, which may not be fully utilized in a single session.  

Challenges I Faced + Final Thoughts:

• My first mold broke when I removed my finger too quickly during class time,  so I had to redo it.
• The screws were slightly misplaced the second time around, affecting alignment.
• Adjusting the plaster mix consistency was challenging, but after practising I started to get a hang out of the process and also wiggling my fingers around slightly was helpful to get it out without breaking the plaster out of the mold!

This experience not only improved my technical skills but also deepened my appreciation for the precision required in molding and casting and hope to incorporate it in future projects. With practice, this method can be used for more  designs like pots, mugs, or candle holders! 

Picture of Clean Table: