My story

Welcome, I'm Nadia, the founder of Abrakadabra Castings. 

I look forward to welcoming you into my home & studio, set within the beautiful mountain village of Bunyola.

Origins

Coincidentally, Abrakadaba castings began with the birth of my son, who now often accompanies as my assistant. I'd just arrived in Mallorca, and was looking to plant roots after years of travel. Revisiting life casting from a contrasted environment and time in my life transformed this familiar and fascinating process into a ritual of creative solace and art therapy, having spent previous years working in the special effects and prosthetics department on set, I always felt there was a deeper element missing.

With a background in theatrical character make-up, mould making and life casting at London College of Fashion and Central St Martins, I feel very comfortable to explore beyond the basics of life casting and incorporate in unique finishes and bespoke styles that have never been seen elsewhere before. I naturally tune into the individuals energy and gage their idea through questions and exploration prior to the casting. When granted creative freedom, theres a beauty and magic that forms naturally without prediction and inevitably exceeds the expectations of the individuals. I named it Abrakadabra for a very good reason.

The Ka

Lifecasting has always fascinated me as it's such an identity-driven art form. Every piece holds deep emotions, enabling a physical and tangible connection to a memory, a moment, or a lost loved one. 

I tie life-casting, birth and reincarnation back to my Egyptian heritage. In Egypt, through the 7th and 8th millennium BC, the true pioneers of lifecasting taught the craft within the tombs deep beneath the pyramids. Servants used plaster gauze strips to cast the remains of the Pharaohs, which they believed would support their transition into the afterlife.

The Ka within AbraKAdabra honours this memory. The ancient Egyptians referred to KA as a person's life force, and each timeless sculpture carries this spirit. 

The Process

Since the ancient casting practice, sculptors and artists have refined techniques and materials. For my castings, I use a material derived naturally from kelp and other seaweeds, called alginate. It is 100% natural and skin safe. Before hardening, it seeps into every crevasse, capturing the finest and unique details. 

It is sculptural preservation, helping us remember momentous and sacred times. 

There's a sense of magic every time I unveil a new casting. Every hand, line, wrinkle is so unique and personal. Each sculpture evokes a beautiful, loving memory. And all those tiny little hands and feet forever remind us of who we are and from whence we came.

A process so magic could only be called Abrakadabra!