Introducing WoodCast: The Moldable Wood Fiber That Changes Everything
If you’ve ever fallen in love with the carved detail on antique European furniture, ornate frames, or architectural embellishments, you know that those tiny flourishes can turn an ordinary piece into something truly heirloom-worthy.
And now, you can create that same authentic carved look at home — without carving by hand.
During our WoodCast launch, Amy Howard and Gene introduced a brand-new, patent-pending wood pulp casting material that behaves like real wood and opens up a whole new world of design possibilities. Here’s everything you need to know, plus the best tips and techniques shared in the live demo.
Amy’s Italy Moment: Why WoodCast Exists
Years ago, Amy was in Italy exploring shops filled with old-world frames, finials, corbels, and decorative treasures. Like many of us, she assumed these pieces were hand-carved from solid wood — only to learn that many were made using centuries-old wood pulp casting techniques.
That discovery became the seed of something bigger: a modern version of this artisan method, created specifically for furniture artists, DIYers, upcyclers, and decorators.
After years of development, Amy Howard at Home is officially launching WoodCast — a material inspired by historic Italian craftsmanship, updated for today’s creative home.
What Is WoodCast?
WoodCast™ is a moldable wood fiber casting material designed to create detailed appliqués and architectural embellishments that look, feel, and finish like real carved wood.
Unlike clay or resin alternatives, WoodCast™ is true wood pulp, which means:
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It sands like wood
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It carves like wood
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It stains like wood
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It paints like wood
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It absorbs finishes naturally
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It does not shrink
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It can be warmed and bent to fit curves
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It bonds seamlessly to furniture and décor
Amy called it a “game changer” — and after seeing the demo, it’s easy to see why.
Why It’s Different from Clay or Resin
During the launch, Gene broke down how WoodCast solves the biggest problems creators face with other casting materials:
Clay:
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Can shrink in the mold
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Often cracks when dry
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Can’t realistically be sanded or carved
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Stays rigid and won’t fit curved furniture
Acrylic Resin:
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Cures into hard plastic
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Can’t be stained or carved
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Won’t bend once cured
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Doesn’t look or feel like wood
WoodCast:
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No shrinkage
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No cracking
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Flexible after warming
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True wood texture and weight
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Fully finishable like wood
In other words: you get the realism of carved wood without the fragility, inconsistency, or “plastic” feel.
What You Can Create with WoodCast
Amy and Gene showed several pieces cast with WoodCast, including:
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Decorative frames
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Corbels
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Finials and torch-style accents
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Floral and rosette appliqués
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Classical trim and borders
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Architectural panels
Amy’s favorite part? You can create luxury-level detail on thrifted furniture, instantly increasing its character (and resale value).
“You think you’re buying hand-carved antiques in Italy… and they’re actually woodcast. Now you can do that too.”
Make Your Own Molds (Yes, Really)
One of the most exciting highlights: WoodCast works with any high-quality silicone mold.
That means you can:
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Find a piece you love (frame, medallion, trim, etc.)
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Make a mold using our Silicone Gel Mold Kit
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Press WoodCast inside
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Create your own reusable appliqués anytime
Amy shared how she purchased a gorgeous antique frame in Florence and realized she could mold it, cast it, and recreate that same old-world look on future projects.
How to Use WoodCast in a Silicone Mold
Gene walked through the full process live. Here’s the simple breakdown:
Step 1: Prep your mold
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Make sure your silicone mold is clean and dry
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No release agent needed — silicone naturally releases WoodCast easily
Step 2: Scoop only what you need
WoodCast comes sealed in an airtight bag inside the container.
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Remove a small amount
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Reseal the bag immediately to keep it fresh
Step 3: Use acetone for pliability
This was emphasized repeatedly:
✅ Acetone is essential.
It softens WoodCast so it presses deeply into fine details.
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Pour a small amount into a glass or paper cup
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Dip your fingers into acetone if the material starts sticking
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Press firmly into the mold, working detail-first
Never add water — acetone is the correct softener for WoodCast.
Step 4: Smooth the back
Once the mold is filled:
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Use acetone to flatten and smooth the backside
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This ensures a clean surface for gluing later
Step 5: Let it dry
Drying depends on thickness:
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Shallow molds: 2–4 hours
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Deep molds: overnight is best
No baking required, and there’s no shrinkage.
The Flexibility Trick (This Is Huge)
After the casting dries completely:
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Place it on a paper towel or plate
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Microwave on HIGH for 20–30 seconds
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Remove carefully — it becomes warm and flexible
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Shape it around curved areas:
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legs
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bow-front drawers
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rounded frames
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armchairs
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Once shaped, glue and tape in place until secure.
This micro-flexibility is one of WoodCast’s greatest advantages over clay or resin.
Applying WoodCast Appliqués to Furniture
Gene demonstrated attaching appliqués to a wood panel as a “mock furniture surface.”
You have two adhesive options:
Fast option: Super glue
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Sets in about 10 seconds
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Great for quick placement and small pieces
Traditional option: Wood glue
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Strong bond
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Requires taping in place
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Sets in 20–30 minutes
Either way, once applied, the cast looks like part of the original furniture.
Finishing WoodCast the Amy Howard Way
After showing how to cast and apply WoodCast, Amy demonstrated a full Old World finish using:
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Stain (to create depth)
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Crack Gesso (thick application for dramatic fissures)
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Milk Paint layers:
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Praying Wife undercoat
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Noir topcoat
Mixed thin (1:1 water to paint) for best cracking
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Antiquing Glaze (to pull color back and age the piece)
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Light Antique Wax + Dust of Ages
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Optional Gold Leaf for gilded detail
Her final takeaway:
“If you saw this on a piece of furniture, you would think it was an antique.”
These layered finishes were a perfect match for WoodCast because the castings absorb stain, paint, and texture products just like raw wood.
A True Creative Business Opportunity
Another big highlight: Amy shared that WoodCast can become more than a tool — it can become part of your business.
Because you can:
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create your own molds
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cast detailed appliqués affordably
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sell finished pieces at higher value
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or even sell appliqués as products
For furniture artists and decorative finishers, this unlocks new revenue paths.
What’s Next: New Molds Coming Soon
Amy also revealed something exciting on the horizon:
We’re launching our own line of classic, furniture-scale silicone molds.
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3 molds in December
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3 molds in January
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3 molds in February
All designed for timeless, historical furniture embellishment — not small crafts.
Ready to Try WoodCast?
WoodCast is one of the most exciting launches we’ve introduced in years, and Amy truly believes it belongs in every creative “DIY pantry.”
Her advice:
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Grab one or two containers
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Use molds you already own
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Or make your own with our Silicone Gel Kit
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Start experimenting with appliqués, carved panels, frames, and trim
Whether you’re creating for your home, your portfolio, or your business — WoodCast will transform what’s possible.
