The Empty Tomb

Kim Sisson, a Level I trainer made the tomb.  It was made during one of the Level I training sessions.  It can be made with Joint Compound or paper mache.  I've used both of these materials.  They both need a solid shape to apply these mediums.  Kim made a wood diorama and then used Styrofoam and casting material for the top.  This made it lighter and easier to carry, she said.  The base was pretty big and cumbersome for a child to carry, so I used the buzz saw to round the edges and then painted it.  You can make the texture with a trough or a sponge.  I've blown up a balloon and then applied paper mache to make giant Easter Eggs in the past. This is another method to make the tomb.  The next day it becomes solid.  Then you can break the balloon and the shape will be intact.  The rolled rock and base are made of a thin plywood.

 I did make the figures, however, out of Sculpy Clay.  I love working with it.  You make the shapes and then bake them at 275 degrees for 15 minutes per half inch.  So I usually bake them for a half an hour.  However, you should check on them at 15 minutes.  If you smell them, you know they're done.  I've had them look too dark but once I've painted them, you couldn't tell that I over baked them.

Below we put wooden separators in the box to hold them in place.  I just repainted the figures and made a new kneeling apostle as I didn't like the old one very much. 

 

There were questions about the people who saw Jesus after He left the women at the tomb and about the Ascension.  So I read from the Bible in Mark 16:19-20 - The Ascension of Jesus.