Sand Art: Sand Sculpting and Sand Crafts

'Stop building castles in air, yelled my mother one fine day. Well, I took her meaning literally and picked up my shovels and trolley and rushed off to the beach. I can never forget my first encounters with the sandy beaches. The feeling of the sand beneath the feet and the refreshing spray from the sea waves lashing onto the rocks would transport me to another world. When others preferred to dabble with their computers at home, I found my freedom in these open spaces.

It was only when I built my first sand castle, I probably learned to develop the virtue of patience. Because the ever hungry waves soon devoured my magnificent creations! So there I set myself to build yet another sand castle...and the process continued thereafter.

Sand art and sand sculpting have become very popular in recent times. It remains to be an activity that has caught the fancy of children and adults alike. Take a stroll down any sandy shore and you can see people reveling in festivities and celebrating sand sculpture and sand art festivals. This is where we can see budding talent all geared up to go beyond the ordinary in crafting their creations. Sand art has gone beyond the magnificent castles with soaring towers. Today, the mere combinations of sand and water have gone complex with the various creative forms of sand sculptures being constructed by people for their sheer love of this art form. The Myrtle Beach proudly showcases the world's tallest sand castle and even the longest sand castle ever constructed. People have created masterpieces through sand sculpting. From prominent figures to cars, sand castles with moats to fantasylands. The themes are endless!

Here are some tips to perfect your sand sculpture/castle:
Before you begin the sculpture, you must first ensure you have the right tools required for the sand sculpture. Ensure you have packed a long handled shovel and a bucket. Try to include chisels, spatulas, apple corers, spoons, ice cream sticks, knives and pastry brushes. The main idea is to improvise on the items used for the sculpting. (Use a fork with the prongs broken off in the middle. This will make it easier to form columns in the sand castle). Next, you will need to include a spray bottle, as the sand sculpture needs to be kept moist to keep the surface firm whilst you construct the castle.

Once you have gathered all the tools, it's time you hunt for the right location on the beach. First, keep a look out for the high tide line. You can test the formation of the sand before you begin the sand sculpture. Pick up some sand and compress it in your hands and roll it into a ball. If the ball of sand does not remain firm, it clearly shows that the sand is not meant for any such art. You also need to also look for a place that is moderately away from the sea.

Now that you have found the ideal location, start digging! You need to keep digging till you reach the wet sand. This would be your initial tough task. It needs to be done, as it is this wet sand that will give a firm foundation to your sand sculpture.

Now you need to accumulate enough wet sand to start with the building and carving. This is known as the process of tamping. A form is basically used for tamping. This is what results in building the towering structures. Use the form (Box or plastic can sans the base) to begin your construction. Place the form on the spot. Now, add the sand and water into it. As you proceed further with the process, remember to tamp it firmly.

Once the form is filled, try to lift it slowly. Once you have finished with the base form, you can create other forms on top of that base. The idea now is to mold the wet sand into the shapes you desire. Try to retain as much water as possible with the forms. Use the basic mounds of sand to create various shapes you desire.

Once you have finished with the basic structure, it is time to unleash your creativity. Always start carving from the top. Carving must always be done in the outward direction.

Do remember to concentrate on the entire structure rather than attempting to complete one side at a time. Always try to create the basic shape.

Use materials like aluminum cans on the castle to create the look of outposts, towers etc.

If you scrounge through your items at home, you can come up with various little unused items that will enhance your sand castle.

The limit to your creativity is endless. Today, sand art and sand sculpting have got a professional touch with new sculptors entering this bracket and creating some of the most whimsical forms of sand sculptures seen on the coastlines today.