Specimens IOD Mould (IOD) Iron Orchid Designs- 6x10

Pin your collection to the wall with the Specimens Decor Mould by Iron Orchid Designs. Fourteen beetle and scarab elements drawn from the full vocabulary of entomological specimen illustration - stag beetles, rhinoceros beetles, scarabs, longhorn beetles, ground beetles, shield beetles, and ornate tropical beetles - all sculpted with the exacting naturalist precision of a Victorian museum specimen tray. Every leg joint, every elytron groove, every mandible curve, every surface texture is individually rendered in deep, three-dimensional relief that reads like genuine pinned specimens from across the room.

The Specimens mould is the most scientifically detailed in the entire IOD range. The large rhinoceros beetle (17ml/26g) with its dramatic pronotal horn is a showstopper on its own. The large flat scarab (24ml/36g) has the smooth, rounded authority of an Egyptian amulet. The ornate patterned beetles with their extraordinary surface markings - concentric ovals, geometric patterns, spotted elytra - look like specimens from a tropical rainforest collection. Compose a full entomological specimen tray across a large cabinet door, scatter individual beetles across a set of drawers as a cabinet of curiosities, or use the largest beetles as standalone statement pieces on a tray or box. Micro-Rims and Measure Marks are built into the mould for cleaner castings and precise media measurement.

Mould Elements and Media Quantities

• Large Stag Beetle - large stag beetle with dramatically long curved mandibles, segmented body, and individually sculpted legs - largest element in the mould
• Small Stag Beetle Head - small stag beetle head and thorax with curved mandibles - 1.6ml / 2.4g
• Medium Longhorn Beetle - medium narrow longhorn beetle with long antennae and ribbed elytra - approx. 4.4ml / 6.6g
• Medium Narrow Beetle - medium narrow beetle body with segmented elytra - 2ml / 3g
• Large Rhinoceros Beetle - large rhinoceros beetle with dramatic pronotal horn, broad thorax, and individually sculpted legs - 17ml / 26g
• Patterned Shield Beetle - medium shield-shaped beetle with geometric surface pattern and individually sculpted legs - 3.1ml / 4.6g
• Ornate Patterned Beetle - medium beetle with extraordinary concentric oval and geometric surface markings - 4.2ml / 6.3g
• Large Flat Scarab - large smooth rounded scarab with segmented elytra groove and individually sculpted legs - 4.8ml / 7.2g
• Large Ground Beetle - large ground beetle with ribbed elytra and individually sculpted legs - 5.6ml / 8.4g
• Small Scarab - small scarab beetle with rounded body - 2ml / 3g
• Large Scarab Dung Beetle - large scarab or dung beetle with broad rounded body and individually sculpted legs - 6.7ml / 10g
• Large Flat Beetle - large flat beetle with smooth elytra and individually sculpted legs - 8.3ml / 12g
• Large Wide Scarab - large wide flat scarab with smooth rounded body - 24ml / 36g
• Long Narrow Beetle - long narrow beetle with ribbed elytra - 6.6ml / 9.9g
• Large Ornate Beetle - large beetle with spotted elytra and individually sculpted legs - 14ml / 21g

IOD Mould Features

• Proprietary Micro-Rim - helps make cleaner castings
• Measure Marks - weight and volume guides for precise media measurement
• Food-safe silicone - BPA free
• Compatible with most casting mediums
• Wash with mild soap and water
• Made in Taiwan

Design Applications

• Compose a full entomological specimen tray across a large cabinet door - arrange beetles in rows by size as a Victorian museum display, largest at top, smallest at bottom
• Apply the large rhinoceros beetle and large stag beetle as a dramatic paired statement on a gentleman's study cabinet or bar cart
• Scatter individual beetles across a set of drawers - one specimen per drawer - for a complete cabinet of curiosities chest
• Use the large wide scarab as a standalone Egyptian-inspired centrepiece on a tray, box, or mirror frame
• Combine with Conservatory Labels mould label plaques applied below each beetle for a fully labelled entomological display
• Paint in warm stone, aged cream, or deep forest green and finish with raw umber dry-brush for a Victorian museum specimen finish

How to Use

1. Press your chosen medium firmly into the mould, working from the center outward to eliminate air pockets in the leg and surface texture detail.
2. Smooth the back flat with a palette knife or your finger.
3. Allow to set or cure fully according to your medium's instructions.
4. Flex the silicone mould gently to release the cast beetle.
5. Adhere to your surface using strong craft adhesive or gel medium.
6. Once dry, paint, dry-brush, or wax over the casting to finish.

Tips for Best Results

• Use the Measure Marks on the mould to measure your medium before pressing.
• For the large stag beetle: press medium very firmly into the long curved mandible cavities - these are the finest and most delicate elements; allow to cure fully before releasing to avoid breakage of the mandible tips.
• For the rhinoceros beetle horn: press medium carefully into the pronotal horn cavity and allow to cure fully before releasing.
• For the ornate patterned beetles: press medium firmly into all surface marking cavities to capture the full geometric and spotted detail.
• For IOD Decor Mousse: press firmly, scrape the back flat, and allow to air-dry in the mould for 10-15 minutes before releasing.
• Victorian specimen finish: paint in warm stone or aged cream, apply raw umber thinned with water into all the leg joint and elytra groove recesses, wipe back the high points for a pinned specimen effect.
• For a dramatic dark background effect: paint the surface deep forest green or black before applying the beetles in cream or gold for maximum contrast.
• Prime cast pieces before painting for best paint adhesion.

Made in Taiwan. All designs are property of Iron Orchid Designs. All rights reserved. SKU: IOD-MOU-SPE