Casting resin or epoxy in a mould

Hi, I am looking to do an artwork where the final product is a clear plastic resin or epoxy sculpture with various items such as plastic forks and straws inside it. I got this idea from resin flooring which has crushed up beer bottles and screws in it, and now I need some advice. Currently I am thinking that I will make the sculpture from polystyrene and make a mould out of plaster of Paris by pouring the plaster over it in a tub of some sort. Is polystyrene a suitable material to base the mould off and can resin or epoxy be cast in plaster of Paris? Also, how might I go about making 2 parts to the mould which can join together and which I can pour resin in through a hole? Regards.

Comments

[philippine stuffs]

Heya, Although I didn't use a clear resin, this might be of use to you.. http://www.instructables.com/id/Duplicate-Toys-using-plastic-resin/

[steveastrouk]

TO get a nice polished finish you have to have a nicely polished master or spend long tedious hours polishing the mould or the finished job. Polystyrene isn't going to hack it. You can do pretty well with clay as a master which you coat with shellac layers.

[thermoelectric]

Why not use silicone instead of plaster of paris? There is, afterall an Instructable (video) on it.

[thermoelectric]

Correction : Silicone rubber