1:ORDERS
Please read our FAQ section before booking your appointment.
IS IT SAFE ON THE SKIN?
Yes, I use either a natural based molding gel made from seaweed or a hospital grade plaster bandage to make my castings. This means that it is safe on the skin for you, baby and pet!
I will also use a barrier cream such as vaseling or oil to ensure easily removal!
WHAT IF MY BABY DOESNT SIT STILL DURING THE CASTING?
No worries, the best thing about molding gel is that you can move around as much as you like until it sets. This is how it will capture your casting. I do recommend casting at babies most relaxed time of the day ie, after or during feed, nap time, etc. However, each mold only takes 30 - 60 seconds to set which is perfect for wriggly babies!
WHAT IF THE CASTING IS UNSUCCESSFUL FIRST TIME?
99% of the time, we can get a perfect mold on first attempt. However, we will carry on taking molds until we are happy with the result.
IS IT MESSY?
I try my best to keep mess at a minimum providing you with towels, wipes and an apron. However, please do not wear your best clothing as I cant guarentee that both the molding gel or plaster will wash out of all materials.
IS THERE A BEST TIME TO DO THE APPOINTMENT?
It is important you chose a time where your baby is mostly relaxed. A lot of Parents like to bring their child during/after naptime or feed time. This ensures they're at their most content. Don't worry though, wriggly babies arent a problem and we can still take successful molds, regardless of time of day.
I WANT TO FEED MY BABY DURING CASTING, CAN I?
Yes of course! Providing you can get your baby into a comfortable position, we can cast while your baby is feeding. We welcome both bottle and breast feeding in our studio!
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR ME TO GET MY CASTING BACK?
The average time is 12 TO 16 weeks. This may vary so please bare this in mind especially at the moment due to material shortages.
Please remember we are open via appointment only - collections must be scheduled at least 24 hours prior due to out of studio appointments such as memorial and end of life casting and so I can have your casting ready to go at the collection point (either main studio or home studio)
If you just turn up without prior notice, you may be denied collection.
WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO BE COMPLETED?
Think of casting as a commisioned piece of art work that you are having created for your home. Casting is a type of sculpture which means lots of hard work and love goes into each and every one. We have to make sure your casting is fully dried out, which can take up to 4 weeks and longer for larger castings, before we can even start the finishing process. Castings that aren't allowed to fully dry will mould and crumble over time. At For Keeps, we would like your casting to last you a life time!
After the drying process, we then need to smoothen and get rid of any bobbly bits, prime, paint, patina and seal your castings, before mounting them in your chosen form of mount.
This time frame also give us time to receive materials and frames/bases for your casting. Each one of our frames and bases are made to order, for you, by our supplier.
WHAT AGE CAN YOU CAST FROM?
Casts can be done from a minute old to over 100 years old. There is no age limit!
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF A CASTING APPOINTMENT?
We will invite you to our studio and get you settled before starting the casting session. I will apply the barrier cream if necissary to the are being cast. Depending on the style of casting will depend on how I take the mold. The molding gel can be easily released once the mold has set and the rest of the process is carried out 'behind the scenes'. We will discuss payment and chosen colour options etc before you leave.
HOW LONG DOES THE APPOINTMENT TAKE?
Again, this all depends on the style of casting. I usually say between 20 minutes and 1 hour for baby casting. However a bump casting or large family casting can take up to 1 hour 30 minutes.
WE HAVE HAD CASTS DONE BEFORE, CAN YOU DUPLICATE THEM?
Unfortunately not. The molding gel is carefully torn away after the setting time, so all molds are then unusable. Your casting is a one off piece! It is important to let us know how many casts you would like, during your appointment. We can create a reusable mold under certain circumstances but these are subject to a £30 surcharge. We will then hold this mold for up to 1 year.
I HAVE DONE A DIY KIT BUT FAILED, CAN YOU HELP ME?
Yes of course. If you have bought a DIY kit and failed to do it, I offer a 'diy help' service that uses your materials that you have already purchased. I can then mount them in the frame you already have, ready for you to mount to your wall!
I also offer a 'diy repair' service for people who have managed to make a succesful mold but want me to finish it off using specialist techniques, paint it up and make it look more presentable. I can also mount this into a frame too!
If you do not have your own frame, I can mount them up in one of our beautiful frames, in your choice!
For more info on this service, please see the 'DIY HELP/REPAIR SERVICE' section under the Pricing link.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY APPOINTMENT?
Please make sure any cancellations are done by the night before your appointment. Doing so, will give me chance to offer your appointment to somebody on the waiting list. You may rearrange your appointment at any time. We ask for a £10 non-refundable booking deposit upon booking. This will be taken from the balance of your casting. This ensures no time wasting, as I do have a waiting list and it is unfair on other clients.
WHY IS CASTING EXPENSIVE?
As mentioned in a previous question, a lot of hard work and love goes into each casting. The main area of pricing is your frame. Frames on their own can go up to £100 depending on size. Each of our frames, are hand-made by our supplier at a high quality and standard.
HOW DO I PAY FOR MY CASTING?
In full - Full amount payed on appointment day
We can also offer payment plans (Please state this when booking your casting):
We accept Klarna
(Pay later option or Pay in instalments)
We also accept PayPal Pay in 3.
All normal payment options are Cash, Card, PayPal or BACS.
Please note: Deposits are non-refundable.
WHY IS MY DEPOSIT NON-REFUNABLE?
Deposits are non-refunable due to castings being a bespoke peice of art. This means we can not re-sell them and the deposit covers the costs of our time spent. This covers the time slot if an appointment is a 'no-show' or rearranges/cancels at last minute. We only have a limited available spaces. Please note that if your appointment is cancelled or rearranged at least 24 hours before then it is fully transferable / refundable.
WHAT CASTING COLOUR OPTIONS ARE THERE?
We offer the following cast colours:
Silver
Bronze
Gold
Copper
Pearl White
Please note the most detail is captured with metallic casts due to the patina we use to bring out fine lines and fingernails.
MY RELATIVE IS IN HOSPITAL, CAN YOU COME TO US?
Yes. We have done several castings in a hospital environment. Please make sure you check with the nurses/midwife first before making an appointment. I do however, charge a call out fee to the hospital (within radius), which covers any losses and travel costs for us.
MY RELATIVE HAS PASSED AWAY, CAN YOU MAKE MEMORIAL CASTS?
In the sad event of a family losing a loved one, we do offer memorial casting. Wether this be at the hospital or funeral home, we can cast from as small as 20 weeks gestation to elderly adults. We provide a professional and respectful service and will go above in beyond to create a beautful keepsake for all considered. Please make sure you have permission from your funeral director or nurse before making an appointment.
DO I COME TO YOU?
Yes, you will need to make an appointment to come to us at our studio!
Our studio address is:
52 Dalton Lane
Rotherham
S65 3QY
IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE?
Yes, there is lots of free parking available in front of the shop .
DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING TO THE APPOINTMENT?
If your casting requires a photo, please bring along your chosen image in a 6x4" print. (unless discussed otherwise)
Also, bringing along your childs favourite toy or snack is a great way to occupy your child whilst I quickly go ahead in taking the molds.
If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me.