Myleene Klass belly cast: Weird ways modern mothers are celebrating pregnancy
Just last week, presenter Myleene Klass posted a picture of herself on Twitter getting a belly cast a plaster cast that will be a permanent reminder of her baby bump now that daughter Hero has arrived.
Here, we bring you the most unusual, bizarre and exhibitionist ways of marking a new childs entrance into the world . . .
Breaking the mold: Myleene Klass turned her baby bump into a work of art
BELLY CASTING
What is it? A plaster cast of your pregnant stomach to hang on the wall as a permanent symbol of your bountiful fertility.Where can you get it? Pick up a home kit from Boots, John Lewis or EverlastingCastings.co.uk.How does it work? Watch your bathroom turn into a building site as you smear your torso in plaster and bandages and wait for it to dry. Celebrity casters, as well as Myleene, include Emma Bunton and DJ Sara Cox.Cost: 20-25 to do it yourself, or 60 upwards if you want a professional to do it for you.More...
- Myleene Klass gives birth to baby daughter Hero Harper
- Mimi's metamorphosis: Mariah Carey paints a butterfly on her growing baby bump
NAKED BUMP PHOTOGRAPHY
What is it? A nude studio shoot plus a pregnant belly. Oh, and a half-naked husband, too, if you fancy.Memento: Anna Murphy kept her belly cast on the mantelpiece
Where can you get it? Specialists such as The PregnancyPhotographer.c! o.uk and TinaBolton.co.uk.How does it work? You turn up, take off your clothes and pose. Popular shots include bump stuck out with hands preserving modesty, topless father-to-be kissing the bump or arty black-and-white close ups. Blame Demi Moore she made it fashionable with her 1991 cover of Vanity Fair.Cost: 125 upwards for the shoot, but expect added costs for photographs.
BUMP PAINTING
What is it? Essentially face painting for your belly flowers, animals, star signs and baby feet are always popular followed by a photograph of the completed masterpiece.Where can you get it? A few professional face-painters have begun to offer the service, including Nicola Shilson of Lucid-Arts.co.uk.How does it work? You lie back and relax while an image of your choice is transferred ontoyour belly using sponges, brushes and non-toxic paints. Depending on the complexity, it can take from one hour to four. Expect baby to kick when the brush work starts (apparently they seem to like it).Cost: From 30 up to 300 for full body paint.Ready to pop: Mariah Carey, who is expecting twins any time now, painted her baby bump
BABY SCAN ART
What is it? A pop art-style swirly portrait of your fuzzy unborn child.Where can you get it? Pregnancy site Mumstuff.co.uk.How does it work? You send your scan photo off to the site, where designers transform it into a rainbow-coloured or sepia Modern Art Baby Scan Swirl Canvas. Cost: 78.95-128.95, depending on canvas size.BABY CAMEOS
What is it? A head and torso 3D sculpture of your foetus inside the womb made from engraved solid acrylic.Where can you get it? Leicester-based designers BabyCameo.co.ukHow does it work? Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, you can get a 3D scan of you! r unborn child, rather than just a grainy black-and-white image. You send off your scan to Baby Cameo and they will use 3D modelling technology coupled with hand engraving to create a framed cameo. Cost: 80 upwards for the cameo (plus at least another 95 for the 3D scan).BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY
Head start: Digital technology can now be used to produce a lifelike sculpture of a newborn's headWhat is it? You can get a professional to stand and shoot while you bring your tot into the world.Where can you get it? Its still pretty niche so only a handful of photographers have shot picture documentaries of birth in the UK, including London-based Nilgun Tolson and Rebecca Caroline of Cornish company Bambino Art.How does it work? The photographer heads over once labour begins and stays to document every contraction, push and the moment your baby arrives. Dont forget to apply your waterproof make-up.Cost: From 500-600 for a complete package.
BABY HEAD SCULPTURES
What is it? You may know people who had bronze or silver casts of their babys hands or feet when they were teeny-tiny, but a London company has gone one better they can turn your newborns face into a life-size sculpture.Where can you get it? FirstImpressions.org.uk, which counts Helena Bonham Carter, Nick Faldo and Cherie Blair among its clients, is the first company in the world to offer the service.How does it work? Rather than slather your childs face in plaster (which may not prove popular), its done using digital technology to turn a 3D photo of your baby into the finished sculpture. Cost: Prices start from 950 for half size in bronze resin to 2,250 full size in solid bronze or crystal. LOCK OF HAIR JEWELLERY
Forever young: A snip of your baby's hair is preserved ! in resin What is it? A snip of your beloved baby son or daughters hair encased in resin and worn as a necklace, bracelet, ring or even cufflinks.Where can you get it? Leicestershire handmade jewellery company Shpangle.co.uk.How does it work? Simple, really a lock of your newborns hair is artfully set in clear resin and preserved for ever. You can even get it engraved with a message. Cost: 24.99 for sterling silver pendant, chain and engraving.
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