AN INTERNATIONAL glass sculptor has returned to Northwich to launch a new ‘lifecasting’ venture.

Ben Walters has teamed up with Jess Jones, a jewellery maker and tattoo artist, to launch Unit 3D, a lifecasting studio in Queen Street.

Lifecasting is the process of creating a three-dimensional copy of a living human body through the use of moulding and casting techniques.

“Recently I did some sculptures of baby's feet and hands for family, and some family group hands castings using my mould techniques,” Ben said.

“It's an incredibly interesting process using dentistry alginate and looks great.

“After a great response online I've decided to set up a lifecasting studio devoted to this and offer experience packages in body casting.”

Ben, 30, went to Weaverham High School, where he met Jess, 31.

He began making glass sculptures when he was 17.

For the last five years he has travelled around the world, particularly across Asia, producing large glass sculptures for museums and private collectors.

“This really is me coming home to build a studio,” Ben said.

“Me and Jess were friends when we were kids and then I went away for a while then came back and when we met back up we decided to go into business together.

“We just thought, ‘what’s really different in Northwich?’ There’s not a high number of creative businesses in Northwich – we’ve got to be different.”

Unit 3D has taken around ten weeks to set up and the two opened for business this week.

One of their first customers were twins.

Ben said: “They went brilliantly. We did both feet, which will be mounted on and put in a frame. The mum will take away a nice photo frame.

“Everyone’s reaction was really good. The mums are dead proud when they have it done.

“The sculpture picks up absolutely everything on their feet. They pick up every little hair line, they’re really life-like. I don’t think people expect it to be so detailed.

“It’s about capturing a moment. It’s very memorable.”

For more information on Unit 3D, like them on Facebook or visit unit3d.co.uk