Fertility Idol Stand

[The Aviator]

Hi all,
Just signed up to this forum after lurking for a few days. Pretty cool place! I can't believe I never saw this forum before. I am tackling my very first project which is some sort of stand to hold the Indiana Jones Fertility Idol(the piggy bank version) I read the other threads on this forum about the stand but I am a total noob at this so the discussion of hardened styrene foam and air hardening modeling compound are all new to me. I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. I was thinking of using one of those cylindrical cardboard containers and then layer the outside with foam and carve it? Again I am totally new and eager to learn so if anyone has ideas etc or great links and places to get ideas let me know. Thanks alot and glad to be part of this forum!

 

[Timmythekid]

I started mine (for the piggy bank too) by picking up a dollar-store tortilla warmer container. Nice slight tape if you flip it upside-down. Then just add spackle, sand and paint - nice base to work from if you're not planning to do the WHOLE pedestal, and just the part that the idol sits directly on.

 

[The Aviator]

That is a very cool idea. Tortilla warmers are the exact correct shape. Never thought of that. Question, what kind of spackle and sand did you use? I have used wall patch material but it seems more like frosting. Just curious what type and how you did the process. Do you have any pictures? Thanks.

 

[Fenris]

what i did for my idol stand is use something similar to this, but mine was actually an old tupperware

Turned it upside down then sculpted over it with epoxy putty (but air-dry clay is okay as well).

Here is what I managed to come up with:

I'm probably going to have to re-paint it to make it look more stone-like.

 

[The Aviator]

That came out great! Tupperware, who knew? Besides ordering online any idea where I can find epoxy putty or air drying clay? I assume air drying clay I can get in an art store. I took a trip to Home Depot since joining this forum to check out what kind of things they have like Styrofoam, Great Stuff etc.
I am actually thinking of building the full on stand stand like this one pictured but maybe smaller diameter. Don't need a room being dominated to much. I can't find seem to find the Styrofoam like the other thread here mentioned. Meaning bendable so I can bend it around a cardboard container and carve it. Then I suppose the clay or epoxy would work?

I agree as well Fenris. Paint would be cool on that one you did and thanks for the tip.

 

[Fenris]

It's actually painted already, didn't realize that it looks to glossy... I need to "rough" it up a bit to make it look more like stone.

As for the putty, I used plumber's putty.

 

[The Aviator]

Cool I will check out that putty. Actually it looks pretty "stoney" all ready, but yeah I can see some fine work that could be added. Like the display you setup.

 

[Fenris]

Epoxy putty is almost like clay, you just mix the two parts up thoroughly and it will cure to a rock-hard material. The brand I use is a local brand and is non-toxic. Make sure that what you buy is non-toxic as well as you'll be using your hands to knead it and sculpt it.

Cure times vary also between brands. Mine starts to cure 15-30mins after mixing so it leaves very little time to sculpt... I add some water to make it more pliable, but that can only go so far - once it starts to cure, no amount of water will stop it from curing.

 

[Timmythekid]

I just keyed it up a bit with sand(paper - sorry if that was confusing) and a wire brush, then stole a bunch of my son's DAS clay, and sanded to take some of the pointy-ness off I've found it starting to crack a bit, sooo I think I'm going to have another go at it however. Maybe prime it first this time to give the material something to hang onto better. First completed prop of any kind, so it's a bit of a learning process.

 

[Fenris]

Timmythekid and The Aviator,
Don't forget to post pics of the finished idol stands. :cool

 

[The Aviator]

Yeah Timmythekid I definitely would like to see your stand. Mine of course is still underway and in planning stages. The epoxy sounds like the plan and I will keep in mind the toxic issue Fenris. We don't want to have a case of "Indiana Jones can kill: local man rushed to hospital while building fertility idol. News at 11:00" lol. Also I will be careful about the epoxy putty as well, meaning drying so fast. I will try to photo document the process here for the stand as well. Like I said I am still in the planning stages and only have time on weekends to do actual work.

 

[ScottageCheese]

Hey Aviator,

My brother just bought the Sideshow Idol for me, for my wedding (ha... the wife wasn't too thrilled) And I am also thinking about building a full size stand for my home theater. I'll be lurking any updates on this thread.

 

[Fenris]

I'll probably repaint my idol stand this weekend... Need to take of the gloss of the paint.

 

[Fenris]

I also had another idea for an idol stand... have the markings on the side of the bigger part of sideshow's stand on the smaller part - for those with limited space in their displays.

 

[The Aviator]

Fenris, good idea about the markings on the side. It is not like we all have to be Comic Book guy from the Simpsons: "Markings on the side...and less then mint condition I say poo poo."
Good idea! Scottage I can't believe your brother did that! He stepped out on the ice with that one. I am going to try to do some sketches on this plan over the weekend and post.

 

[The Aviator]

Got really busy with a software project so my idol project is still waiting for my attention. Meanwhile a special thanks to Darth (forgot his last name) who did those cool Idol maps from Raiders I downloaded them, printed them to parchment paper, burned the edges and tea aged them and they came out awesome!