Molding: Stage 1 (Photo credit: Gregory Wild-Smith)

I’ve found another reason to go to the beach. Not only can I catch a wave and a tan, I can cast all sorts of objects! I ran across several tutorials that showed how to make a variety of objects without too much effort.

I had made sand casts before by buying and lugging a 40-pound bag of sand into the garage. I poured it into a box where I pressed an object into wet sand and then poured Plaster of Paris into it.

But by going to the beach, there is no messy garage scene and backs are saved from lugging loads of sand around. Better yet, you’re not restricted to size.

Now you may be wondering how green doing your casting at the beach is, but after you’ve poured your plaster and let it dry, there usually isn’t a residue left behind.

Sometimes, a piece will break off but as responsible citizens of the earth, I’m sure most of us will have the sense to pick up after ourselves.

So check out the step-by-step video and don’t forget the sunscreen for your next casting trip!