What Happens to My Baby’s Casting After the Appointment?

Once the casting appointment is finished, the really detailed part of the process begins.

At the appointment, I take the moulds of your baby’s hands or feet, but these are only the starting point. From there, each piece goes through a number of stages before it becomes the finished keepsake you take home.

The exact process depends on the finish you choose, but every casting begins in much the same way.

The original mould

During the appointment, your baby’s hand or foot is placed into a soft, non-toxic moulding material for around two minutes.

Once this has set, your baby’s hand or foot is gently removed and the mould is ready to be used.

These original moulds capture all the tiny details — little creases, wrinkles, toes, fingers and the individual shape of your baby’s hands or feet.

For freestanding pieces, the original moulds are yours to keep afterwards.

Creating the first-stage wax

The next stage is to create the first positive copy from the mould.

For bronze and other metal finishes, this is usually made in wax.

This is often the first time parents get to see exactly how the casting has turned out. The wax copy already shows the shape and detail of the finished piece, but it still needs careful cleaning and refining before it is ready to move on.

I usually send photographs at this stage so you can see how your baby’s little hands or feet are looking before they continue through the process.

Cleaning and refining the casting

Once the wax has been created, I carefully clean up the piece.

Small imperfections from the moulding process are removed while making sure all the important natural detail remains.

The aim is never to make the casting look overly perfect or artificial. Those tiny creases, dimples and little folds are what make each piece so personal.

This stage can take time, particularly with tiny fingers and toes.

Sending the piece to the foundry

If you have chosen solid bronze, the wax casting is then sent to the foundry.

The piece goes through the traditional lost-wax casting process, where the wax is eventually replaced by molten bronze.

This is a specialist process and one of the reasons bronze castings take longer to create.

The final result is a solid bronze sculpture of your baby’s hand or foot — not a plaster piece painted or coated to look like bronze.

Choosing the bronze finish

Once the bronze casting has been created, the surface is finished by hand.

You may have chosen polished bronze, which has a brighter golden appearance, or patinated bronze, which has a softer, aged tone.

Other specialist finishes may also be available depending on the piece.

Each finish is created by hand, so there will always be subtle variations. That is part of what makes every casting unique.

Engraving

If you have chosen engraving, this is usually one of the final stages.

Names, dates of birth, ages or other personal details can be engraved onto the ankle or wrist area of bronze pieces.

Engraving can also be added to a Welsh slate presentation plinth.

For framed pieces, an engraved plaque can be added to the front of the frame, while personal wording can also be added to the back.

Because engraving happens towards the end of the process, you do not always need to make that decision immediately.

Framing and presentation

For framed stone or glass pieces, the castings are carefully mounted and framed once the casting itself is complete.

There are different frame, mount and background colours available, so the finished piece can be designed to suit your home.

Freestanding bronze pieces are supplied with a Welsh slate presentation plinth. The casting itself is not permanently fixed to the slate, so it can still be picked up and held.

Why does the process take so long?

Parents sometimes understandably wonder why a handmade casting can take several months to complete.

Unlike something that is mass-produced, each piece passes through several specialist stages and is worked on individually.

Bronze in particular involves wax preparation, foundry casting, metal finishing, patination or polishing, engraving and final checking.

The current lead time for bronze pieces is typically around 30–35 weeks.

It is a long process, but the result is something made to last for generations.

The final check

Before any piece leaves me, I check it carefully.

Once I am happy with the finish, engraving and presentation, I get in touch to arrange the final balance and delivery or collection.

That is always one of my favourite parts of the process — seeing something that began as a tiny two-minute mould finally become a finished keepsake.

A little moment, preserved

The appointment itself may only take around an hour, but what comes afterwards involves many weeks of careful work.

From the first mould to the wax, foundry, finishing and engraving, every stage is part of turning a fleeting moment into something permanent.

Your baby will have changed enormously by the time the finished piece comes home, which somehow makes those tiny hands and feet feel even more precious.

Find out more

If you are thinking about having your baby’s hands or feet cast, you may also find these helpful:

• How Much Does Baby Hand and Foot Casting Cost?

• When Is the Best Age for Baby Hand and Foot Casting?

• Should I Cast My Baby’s Hands or Feet?

• What Happens During a Baby Hand & Foot Casting Appointment at Home?

You can also explore the Baby Hand and Foot Casting page to see the different finishes available, or get in touch if you would like to arrange an appointment.