Variations in eye color, hair color and style, and skin tone result in several different unique dolls in the 18 dolls. However, there have only been seven face molds created and only five have been used for multiples dolls as of 2009. The first mold used is referred to as the Classic Mold, and subsequent molds are generally referred to by the first doll to use the mold. [1]
The making of face molds, or life masks, for ceremonial use, religious rituals and art has been a common practice in many cultures, both ancient and modern. In ancient Egypt, face molds were created for the dead and placed over the face at the time of burial to make the person recognizable in the afterlife. Creating face molds is a good hands-on project to add to history or art lessons and makes a fun at-home craft. Both adults and children can enjoy participating in this project.
There are commercial molds available for making faces for dolls or jewelry, but those designs were created by someone else, and while you can create items for your own use without violating copyright, and sometimes for sale, the design is still one that is easily recognizable as one that originated elsewhere. While there is nothing wrong with that, I far prefer to use my own sculpted faces, and I encourage others to expand their creative range as well. When you start with your own work, YOU own the copyright, and molds are a great way to easily make copies.
Have you ever wondered how to create and use a mold made from an original hand modeled polymer clay face? There are many ways to do it. Polymer clays, particularly the softer ones like SculpeyIII and Sculpey Bake and Bend, can be used to form hard molds using the polymer clay original. To keep the baked original face from sticking to the softer raw mold clay, a release agent like powder, cornstarch or water mist can be used.
