Seeking Belly Cast Artists!
A belly cast is an oh-so lovely way to remember those fond moments of carrying your child within. My husband and I happened to meet a woman who was a neighbor and also an artist who did her very first belly cast on us. The process turned a beautiful autumn afternoon into a time for my husband and I to really celebrate our late pregnancy together. The result is a piece of work (my partners hands cast on my belly) that will commemorate that moment for years to come.
Has anyone had a belly cast done? Can you recommend where? Did you do it on your own at home? Karli writes:
Where can I have this done? I'm now 29 weeks pregnant.
I believe that Zenana Spa (over on SE Clinton) is now doing belly casting.Have fun and lots of congratulations to you.
Posted by: Mary | October 16, 2007 at 09:03 AM
We bought a kit at New Seasons. Maybe $40? My husband and I did it one morning when I was 35+ weeks. It was easy, but a bit messy. We left it white. It is in my closet now so I see it everyday. I think it would be a nice shower gift.
Posted by: courtney | October 16, 2007 at 09:26 AM
We did it at home with plaster casting strips that we bought at Art Media, and some non-petroleum vaseline alternative. Make sure to use warm water, and do it in a warm room, because those wet strips can make a (semi-) naked mama cold!
Posted by: Liz | October 16, 2007 at 11:07 AM
We did both casts at home. We bought plaster strips and other supplies at Georgie's on NE Lombard:
http://www.georgies.com/
It is a pretty simple process, just vaseline the casting area and plaster away! Mila helped with casting Gael in utero. Here are some basic instructions:
http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/Make-your-own-belly-cast-467.htm
We had Dorion Stanger do the finishing on the belly cast of Mila (the gesso and painting). It is truly an art piece, here is a link to her website:
http://www.geocities.com/pmsartist/
If Dorian is still in the area, she can also manage the entire process from cast to finish. Feel free to mention Milagros if you contact her, she may give a discount, who knows?
Posted by: Milagros | October 16, 2007 at 02:30 PM
We do belly casts and have a studio for painting it afterwards! Give us a call if you are still interested?
503-232-3457
100th Monkey Studio
www.the100thmonkeystudio.com
Posted by: Joy Leising | October 16, 2007 at 05:26 PM
I had my belly cast done by my doula, who was a student at Birthing Way, and now a full-fledged home birth midwife. Maybe it's something a doula could do if you have one.
Posted by: debby | October 16, 2007 at 08:41 PM
I didn't have a belly cast done but I have some amazing photos from my 2nd pregnancy done with Aimee/Bella Divine Photography in Vancouver. It was my baby shower present and we ended up with a CD full of gorgeous pics of me and she even took some with my boyfriend and our daughter included.
Posted by: Marsina | October 17, 2007 at 08:02 AM
looking for a place that does belly casting in portland maine
Posted by: KRISTIN RUSSELL | December 13, 2007 at 08:48 AM
I am an art therapist in Waterville, Maine and I do belly castings. You could contact me at #(207)453-4068 for more info!
Posted by: Bodhi Simpson | February 20, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I'm located in Portland, Oregon and have been doing belly castings for pregnant (and non-pregnant!) women since 1992 out of plaster of paris, plaster, concrete, resin, fiber, latex and rosin. I can also provide detailed instructions on how to make your own belly cast along with a kit.
Here sample of my work: http://www.kpetunia.com/bodycasting/index.html
Thanks!
Katherina
415-847-7295
Posted by: Katherina Audley | July 08, 2011 at 01:13 PM