Learn Hand Casting One-to-One
I’m Glenda, an award-winning life caster and PGCE-qualified teacher, casting since 2004. This is my private hand casting course, taught one-to-one with real babies and families, never dolls. It’s rated 5.0 from 130 Tripadvisor reviews and 4.9 from 67 Google reviews, and holds Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2024 and 2025.
From £550
a day, one-to-one
1–3 days
on flexible dates
Real babies
as your models, arranged by me
Lifetime
WhatsApp and email support, free
+44 7738 165146 · I reply personally, usually within 24 hours.
Why I Teach
When my daughter was born, everything changed. I wanted flexibility, a sense of purpose and a way to contribute financially without missing the moments that mattered most. Then I discovered life casting. The creativity drew me in. So did the emotion behind it, turning a tiny hand into something you can keep forever.
Starting out in 2004 meant figuring it out largely on my own. There was no social media, no online communities and no tutorials. I learned through mistakes and persistence. That’s why I want you to understand not just what to do, but why you’re doing it.
So if you’re not sure you can do this, that’s a very normal place to start. Many students arrive feeling exactly the same.
Real Babies, Real Training
Every student learns with real babies from the very first day, never dolls.
Choose Your Training
Day 1
£550
Newborn casting
Working with a newborn, still and delicate, you’ll learn safe mould-making, demoulding and basic finishing, and the materials newborn skin needs.
Day 2
£550
Older baby and airbrushing
A baby of around six months brings movement. You’ll troubleshoot in real time, perfect the handclasp and learn professional airbrushing.
Day 3
£650
Advanced techniques
Family compositions, multi-step castings and premium finishing, plus an introduction to memorial technique. Take it straight away or later.
All three days: £1,750
£1,650 when you pay in full upfrontSave £100
The £100 saving is for the full three-day course only (Days 1, 2 and 3, paid in full in advance). It doesn’t apply to other combinations of days or courses, such as two 3D days plus a 2D day. Day 3 can be taken at a later date.
One day gives you newborn casting. Two days add older babies, the handclasp and airbrushing, and most students leave ready to work with real clients. Three days add family compositions and premium finishing.
Why Train With Me?
Real babies, never dolls
Every student works with real babies and families from the first session, arranged by me at no extra cost. If a model is unwell on the day, I have a backup arranged.
One-to-one, never strangers
Every session is just you and me, so the whole day is about you. Colleagues or a couple who already work together can train in the same session, depending on the situation. I never put strangers together.
A qualified teacher who still casts
I’m a PGCE-qualified teacher, and I still cast for real clients, so you learn what actually works with real families, including how to rescue a piece that hasn’t gone to plan.
Lifetime support, free
Training doesn’t end when you leave the studio. If you’re ever unsure about a technique or how to handle a client, I’m still here.
Who This Course Is For
Parents
Work that fits around your children, just as it did for me.
Growing your business
Photographers, childminders, pet groomers, pet cremation services and potteries adding castings. Jodie from Legacy Pet Cremations generated over £6,000 from 3D castings for the business she works for in her first month.
A new chapter
Something of your own once the children have left home. Mine have flown the nest too.
Coming from abroad
The founder of Minnestudio travelled from Norway, and Louise runs Forever Held By Lou in Ireland.
Times are hard for a lot of families. With childcare and living costs going up, work that fits around your children matters more than ever. This is a hands-on skill that AI and computers can’t do for you, and you can start small, from home, around your own life. It works: one student opened her own company after a two-day course with no previous experience. How to start a keepsake business from home.
No experience needed. Many students start with none at all.
Comparing Courses? What to Check
Courses vary a lot. These are the questions worth asking any trainer, with my answers.
| What to check | With me |
|---|---|
| Models | Real babies and families as your models, arranged by me at no extra cost |
| Price | From £550 a day (Day 3 is £650). All three days £1,750, or £1,650 paid in full upfrontSave £100 (full three-day course only) |
| Length | 1, 2 or 3 days. Day 3 can be taken later |
| Dates | Flexible, arranged around you. No fixed course dates |
| Who’s in the room | Just you. Colleagues or a couple who already work together can train in the same session, depending on the situation. Never strangers |
| Airbrushing | Taught on Day 2 |
| Payment | 50% deposit to secure your dates, balance the week before |
| Support afterwards | Lifetime WhatsApp and email support, free |
| After training | Your business is yours. No franchise fees and no territory limits |
| Experience | PGCE-qualified teacher, with over 20 years of professional casting |
| Reviews | 5.0 from 130 Tripadvisor reviews · 4.9 from 67 Google reviews · Travellers’ Choice 2024 & 2025 |
What Students Say
“I travelled a long way from Ireland to train with Glenda, so choosing the right trainer was really important to me. One phone call with Glenda and instantly she stood out. She explained the why behind what we were doing and adapted the training around what I needed. I came home absolutely buzzing and kept looking at the work I’d created thinking, ‘I actually made that!’ What I really appreciated was that Glenda didn’t try to turn me into a copy of her. She helped me become better at being me.”
— Louise, Forever Held By Lou, Ireland — read the full review
“Glenda is simply amazing. No question is silly, she explains and demonstrates thoroughly, and makes sure you understand before moving on. I learnt skills that have genuinely elevated our business.”
— Jodie, Legacy Pet Cremations
“One-to-one, not a group. If you are looking for a trainer who gives her all and teaches you everything, Glenda is your girl.”
— Ada, Scottish Highlands
“Although I travelled from India, it was 100% worth it. The personalised teaching, hands-on experience and supportive environment are second to none.”
— Trisha, India
“What truly sets Glenda apart is the incredible post-training support long after the course ends. I left feeling confident, supported and excited.”
— Aislinn, South East
“I attended with my son as part of a training session, a lovely experience from start to end and even with my little wriggler getting a bit fed up and not wanting to stay still, Glenda and her trainee remained calm and had everything under control. A beautiful keepsake was received a few weeks (maybe 8 weeks?) later.”
— Angee, a parent who brought her son to a training day
Read more reviews on TripAdvisor and Google
What You’ll Take Home
- All the casts you make, yours to keep
- Photos and short videos of your training
- Full notes covering every step
- Supplier list with trade discount codes, so you know exactly what to buy afterwards
- Certificate for each day
- Free lifetime WhatsApp and email support
Course Details
- Hours: 9:30am – 3:30pm
- Studio: Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, 15 minutes from Poole. Free parking.
- Materials: everything provided
- Payment: 50% deposit to secure your dates, balance the week before. International payments via Wise.
Student Work From This Course
Pieces made by students after training with me.
Travelling to Train With Me
Fly into Bournemouth or Southampton, or into London and take the train to Poole (about two hours from London Waterloo). I’ll help with the journey and somewhere to stay.
Students have trained here from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Norway, Latvia, Germany, Holland, Spain, Cyprus, India, Tanzania and Los Angeles. Ask me about travelling to train.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience?
No. Complete beginners are very welcome, and many students start with no casting experience at all.
How long does the training take?
Between one and three days, depending on what you want to learn. There are no fixed dates. I’m flexible and will work around you.
Is one-to-one better than a group course?
With one-to-one, the whole day is about you: your pace, your questions and the castings you want to offer.
Can I start a business afterwards?
Yes. Many students build life casting into an existing business or launch their own service, with my support behind them.
Can I train with you if I live abroad?
Yes. I’ll plan your days around your flights. Prices are in pounds (GBP), and international payments are accepted via Wise.
Where is the studio?
My private studio in Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, about 15 minutes from Poole and 30 minutes from Bournemouth, with free parking.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Other Courses Worth Exploring
- Memorial Life Casting Training — specialist course for hospice, NHS and care professionals
- Advanced Life Casting Training — for when you’re casting confidently and want to go further
- Raised 2D Tile Training — a dedicated 1:1 tile course
- Belly Bump Casting Course
- 3D Pet Casting Training
- Airbrush Masterclass — upgrade your finishing once you’re casting confidently
+44 7738 165146 · I reply personally, usually within 24 hours.