Cultured Marble :

Cultured marble is a mixture of marble dust with crushed limestone and fiberglass resin. Limestone does not undergo the metamorphic treatment of burial and heat and hence this material can be used like a real marble but can be processed in much quicker time.

Casting cultured marble depends on the amount of additive used that varies depending on the purpose. In case of finer products, the additive usage is reduced and for solid structure, the additives are used in excess so as to provide a shiny appearance.

The step by step procedure in preparing a structure of Powdered Marble involves the following steps.

Mix limestone and marble powder of equal mixtures thoroughly for two minutes. Scrape down the sides and stir contents up from the bottom with the stirring stick.

Stir continuously until you reach the desired color and consistency. Mixtures for highly detailed molds should be liquid; mixtures for simple shapes can be much thicker.

Pour the resin mix into the mold and lightly heat the exterior of the mold with a hair drier to prompt bubbles to rise to the surface.

Remove the casting from the mold. If the mold is rigid, twist the casting slightly to free it. If the mold is flexible, carefully peel it away from the casting.

The final product is fine grained, polished and then the minor details if any that needs to be added are carved over the outer surface.

Cultured Marble is expected to last a longer time. Also it values much lesser than the real marble which is an added advantage. 

Poly Resin Handicrafts

Polyresin is a compound used for making statues, figurines, and decorative furniture. It is sturdy and can be molded intricately. As a result, it allows a great level of detail with consistent texture. It is of two types in general namely, Polyester resin and Synthetic resin.

Polyester resins are unsaturated resins used in molding a compound. These fiber glass compounds are used in restaurants, kitchens, restrooms and other areas that require washable walls but serve the display purpose.

Synthetic resins are hard and comprises of viscous liquids which can be categorized into several classes. These are copolymers or thermosetting plastics, prepared by the process of esterification.

Epoxy resin is the basic class of synthetic resins which is stronger than concrete, seamless and waterproof. Another similar class is acetal resin and it is not as complex as epoxy resin. 

Another class of synthetic resins is Ion exchange resins which is widely used in water purification and catalytic process of organic substances.

Unsaturated polyester resins is the most commonly used class of resins with composition of more than 75% of resins.

The procedure followed in casting resin is summarized below. Resin casting is a method of plastic casting. First a mold is created that is filled with liquid synthetic resin, which then hardens. These are used in the production of collectible toys, models and figures, as well as small-scale jewelry production.

The process involves the transformation of the liquid monomer into a polymer which occurs on hardening of the solid.

Acrylic glass which is commonly used for framing photos and other display purpose is not a glass but rather a plastic polymer that is transparent, and very hard. 

But the simplest method in resin casting is gravity casting method. Here the resin is poured into the mold and pulled down into all the parts by gravity. The action of vacuum is essential here are it helps to expel bubbles and any air gaps between them. These kind of compounds are highly priced due to the amount of hands-on labor involved in the final stage.

Polyresins are used in the production of customized toys and figures as well as scale models. They are generally produced in small quantities, from the tens to a few hundred copies, compared to injection-molded plastic figures which are produced in many thousands. Resin casting is more labor intensive than injection molding. 

The traditional sculpting process is first employed in the creation of mold. After the mold has been made, a synthetic resin mixed with a curing agent, is poured into it. Within minutes the material hardens, yielding castings or copies in the shape of the mold into which it has been poured. The hardened resin casting is removed from the flexible mold and allowed to cool.

Due to aggressive nature of most compounds used for casting and the high temperature of the reaction the mold gradually degrades and loses small details. The sprues and seams are then sanded or cut by free hand and the small details are craved and polished.

Mother of Pearl Inlay

Mother of Pearl (MoP) is an attractive material which as used as a decorative item inlaid over furnitures, jewellery, musical instruments and much more. The iridescent nature of MoP makes it attractive and makes it’s a valuable substitute for marble and tile inlays.

By property, iridescence refers to the attribute of changing its color as viewed from different angles and orientations. The same property may also be found with soap bubbles, butterflies and sea shells.

MoP’s iridescent value adds to its beauty as well as market price. This is because not all forms of Shells available have this property which makes MoP (or nacre) more special.

The existence of MoP is towards the inner wall of the shell oyster or over the outer layer of the pearl. Sometimes nacre acts as a protective shield that carries the pearl within it but does not have any physical contact with it.

The main function of MoP is to protect the pearls from the attack of any parasites and it stays active as for as the mollusc is alive. 

The separation of the MoP from shells is a cheaper process as they are available in plenty, but its price may vary from one and another depending on the shine of the layer.

The inlay of MoP may involve removal of the selected mortise in the wooden layer and then inlaying the MoP onto the wooden surface. A layer of glue is applies on top of this to seal it. The same procedure is followed in enhancing Mop inlay work over all surfaces to make it look decorative.

Mother of pearl is sometimes used to make spoon-like utensils for caviar (salted roe of large fish), so as to not spoil its taste with metallic spoons.

MoP is also used as a decorative layer over wine glasses, serving trays, bowls and so on to make it look decorative.

Uruli - A Traditional cookware :

Uruli is a traditional cookware used predominantly in South India. It is circular in shape ranging from smaller sizes that can fit into your palm to giant sized Uruli that are used in restaurants and temples for cooking. The name Uruli literally means “cooking vessel with ears”. 

A proper Uruli will have a ringing sound (similar to a bell dong) when struck. In general, food prepared in Uruli is said to have a special taste of its own. 

As the ages past, the cooking practice and the vessels used have been replaced to the modern day utensils. But even today, there exists the practice of preparing payasams or food in certain rural areas of Kerala.

In recent times, Urulis are used as a decorative item rather than cooking. This golden-coloured vessel is now a popular souvenir and a charming gift.

This elegant, beautiful vessel is filled with water and flowers are placed over the top layer to make it look decorative. This kind of arrangement is commonly seen in many traditional restaurants, spas, temples and even in some homes at their entrance. 

Culturally, Urulis provide a traditional look and also stands as a symbol of ancient artistic creativity.