Casting Studio

The First Treasures studio is tucked away at the end of a private drive in Boreham, Chelmsford. There’s plenty of parking, and the studio door is just a few steps away, through a small enclosed courtyard next to the customer spaces.

From the moment you arrive, my aim is to help you feel completely at ease. I’ll talk you through the layout, design and colour options, and show you lots of examples so you can picture exactly how your finished piece might look.

The casting process itself is calm, gentle and completely baby-safe. Everything is done at your child’s pace, and with years of experience, I’ll guide you through every step so it feels relaxed and stress-free. Your baby or child will have their hand or foot gently dipped into a soft, tepid mousse that sets firm (but still flexible) within a minute or two. Their skin comes out clean, and the mould is ready for the next stage of the process.

Babies don’t need to be asleep for the casting – they can wriggle a little, and that’s absolutely fine. I’ve got a few toys on hand if needed, and some parents find that feeding their baby during the process helps keep them settled too.

There’s no minimum age for casting. I’ve created pieces for newborns just a few days old, as well as toddlers, older children and even grandparents joining hands with their grandchildren.

Each 3D hand or foot cast takes around a minute to make, and outprints take just seconds. I usually allow around 45 minutes for appointments to give us plenty of time to choose colours, frame types and get everything set up between sessions.

Once your appointment is finished, that’s when the real magic begins. After you leave, I carefully refine and perfect each cast by hand, removing any tiny imperfections so that every line, fold and fingernail is captured in detail. The casts are then sanded, shaped and finished with several layers of paint to give a smooth, professional result.

Studio castings at First Treasures are completely different from at-home kits. Every piece is professionally crafted using specialist materials, skill and care to create something that truly lasts. I love bringing design ideas to life – almost anything is possible, and each casting is as unique as the family it belongs to.

Once your cast is complete (usually within 4–5 weeks), I’ll keep you updated throughout the process. Finished pieces are collected directly from the studio, ready to be treasured for years to come.