Transitions News

Plaster bandage cast

2010-11-19T16:47:00.002-04:00

Old is new. So bringing back on the market the oldfashioned plaster bandage cast what shows all the curves but not detail skin of the mom and her belly. In Transitions we have a very special technique to decorate the belly. Can be painted in any color you like. When you make your appointment tell me it is for a plaster cast not a gel cast. Hopefully i find a photo soon to show you.
Plaster casts are starting at 200$ plus tx.

Women blessing evenings

2010-11-14T10:39:00.000-04:00

Hey Friends

After i had the pleasure to guide a few special evenings to mark and celebrate the healthy natural transitions from girls into womenhood (with first period) or from women into motherhood i feel now confident enough to do it more often. I feel it is part of my calling and with my past in Aromatherapy, birth guidance, paganisme, mother etc. I am not faciliated with any church and dont follow written standard ceremonies, but sit down with the women herself and decide on appropriate activities for that evening with her family and friends she like to celebrate this transition with. Please call me freely for any further info if you are planning your evening.
506-576-8817 Transitions bellycasting Lidia Branch

Mother and daughter

2010-08-05T12:09:00.004-04:00

After we bellycasted Nicole"s belly she came back and we had a great baby cast experience with her and her daughter this morning as you can see in the photos. Thanks to my wonderful assistant monique who was brabbling to the baby girl she laughed her way through the casting process. I love this photo.

Free travel from st john/fredericton/amherst

2010-04-28T18:56:00.002-04:00

So you would love to come have your bellycasted but you are coming from further away and gas is not cheap,.......... Here in Transitions we understand!. Let us help you with the gas. Transitions will give you a 5 percent discount if you come from stjohn ,fredericton, amherst or other areas further away from Notre dame then Moncton. Just remind me with your first payment.

Come and see me

2010-04-28T18:39:00.004-04:00

Yes come and see me........ Here in Transitions we love to see you here for a visit, just give us a call a few days before you like to come, since the studio is only open on appointment only. Transitions is beautiful located in the woods of Notre dame and a cute little brook is running on our property. So come on out for a tea or lemonade . Let me show you the process of casting and show you some examples. Belly casting and other consultations are free of charge but again dont forget to call. Best time to call is in the mornings 506-576-8817

Faux metal

2010-04-10T14:23:00.003-04:00

Faux metal means that it looks like metal but isn't , at least not completely. I finish my cast with a modified gypsum which is alot stronger then say a plaster of parise, I am able to mix in real metal powders in my gypsum and buff it up later so it exposes the metal in the finished cast. We have a choice of brass , copper, bronze or a mix of these and nickel silver. When you choose a faux metal cast for yourself you will be asked if you like the metal shiny or weathered patina. On the photo you will see one what has been aged with patina.

Family plaque cast

2010-04-10T14:14:00.005-04:00

Big thank you to Valerie and her family to let me use the photos and of course to come for that great family casting session we had. Little isabel was a bit young (3) to do this casting but she pulled through just great. Photo one gel being applied, photo 2 plaster being applied, photo 3 the workcast from which i will be making a secondairy mold and cast it in bronze faux metal, stay tuned for the endresult.

Mission statement

2010-03-08T09:55:00.002-04:00

Our mission is to create happiness and pride in a person by creating 3d pieces of art of those who like to cherish this special moment in time!

Baby casting

2010-02-17T10:23:00.005-04:00

Having your baby casted is a fun and safe experience in Transitions. We cast babies under 6 wks for their feet and cast under 4 wks for their booties.Change table and warm water available on location. Our baby casting is done by prof. lifecaster :Lidia Branch . In Transitions we treat your little ones like the angels they are. So call ,make a appointment , grap your camera and get ready for a unique parent, child experience. Read more on baby casting at our website: www.lidiabranch.com or call 506-576-8817

Doula in St. John

2010-02-12T15:30:00.002-04:00

Looking for a doula in St John?,You might wanna give a call to this passionate, experienced doula
Sue Appleton, oh and ask her about her amazing belly cast::))

Apple Of Your Eye Doula Services, Saint John, NB
Sue Appleton sjdoula@gmail.com 333-5722

Newspaper article

2010-02-06T11:10:00.003-04:00

Look for todays newspaper article in the times and transcript (feb 6) under section: Job Market
The article is called : What i do and you will find a great written article about me and my belly casting .

No doula services available in 2010

2010-01-04T20:33:00.003-04:00

Besides my ongoing clients, I am unable to take on any more doula couples for 2010, sorry for those who were considering. Hope to see you soon at Transitions for a wonderful belly cast experience. Thanks

New children face casting

2009-12-30T13:49:00.007-04:00

How would you like it, if you could freeze this moment in time, and keep this wonderful face of your child and capture it in a 3d pieces of art you can keep forever? This is now possible at Transitions for children over 7 years old. A side view, half face mold will be taken in about 15 min, with as always the highest quality skin safe products. We then finish it in modified gypsum or resin. The finished piece of art will be hanging on your wall within a few weeks. Kids face casting is safe (since it is done by a professional lifecaster) and tons of fun. Every child who comes to Transitions with their moms and dads are treated like a little prince or princess. (For more info about the process of casting see my website www.bellycasting.ca, appointments only 506-576-8817)

romantic cast

2009-07-02T10:26:00.003-04:00

This couple liked a photo of the hands making a heart they had seen and so we casted them this way. We choose for a bone white basic colour with a beige top. photos provided by Branch graphic design.

green casting

2009-06-24T14:55:00.002-04:00

Here at Transitions we are trying very hard to keep our waste to a minimum. It is sometimes a challenge because we do offer great belly and baby keepsakes in wonderful light unbreakable materials like resin and forton, what require lots of containers. But i am happy to inform you that thanks to our generous green thinking friends i am able to recycle lots of their used containers . We scrape all material with spatulas out of the containers before throwing them out, put our jars upside down to take out the last drops of silicon, use blue and green bags, wash our towels and do the cleaning with environmental products, and reuse most of our brushes. So there for your stackable, rinsed large plastic ice tubs and old towels and tshirts are very welcome here in Transitions. Please washed and dryed containers only. Drop of at Transtions 117 Saulnier road or call me for pick up.

Before and after belly bowl

2009-06-17T20:40:00.007-04:00

Beautifull belly bowl of fullterm mom with her and her partners hands embracing their baby to be. Cast gypsum with a copper mettalic paint. Good luck with your little one.

Expo St-John a success

2009-04-19T20:03:00.006-04:00

A big thank you to everyone who helped me to get ready for the expo in St-John last month. Especially to one of my assistants Phillipa Lariviere and Branch Graphic Design. Thank you also to all of you moms and dads to be who already called and mailed for appointments and info - we still welcome more expecting mothers with their partner for their belly cast experience here at Transitions. Call 506-576-8817

Doula services in Moncton

2009-04-06T11:22:00.003-04:00

A birth doula is a professional caregiver who knows and respects all aspects from birth and guides expecting couples into their new experience of birth and early parenthood. I am serving the whole Greater Moncton as a birth doula . Call for a free consultation.

Lidia Branch from Transitions at 506-576-8817

Website launched!!!

2009-04-06T11:17:00.003-04:00

I am so excited to let you all know that my website is finally launched. Please go check it out and of course inform all your expecting moms and dads. A big thank you to the two great guys: Brian Branch and his assistant Jean from Branch Graphic Design in Moncton for a job well done. The addresses are: www.bellycasting.ca and www.lidiabranch.com

Back from Denver

2009-03-25T10:23:00.010-04:00

Hi friends,

I am safely back from Denver where I attended a professional course in life casting to take advance techniques in belly and baby casting learning from the master Dave Parvin. I learned to use new lighter materials so clients can hang there own art bellies on the wall inside or Out!
I improved my skills in faux metal casting and heads and faces casting. It was amazing, I feel blessed to have taken this course and to put my feet in the incredible rocky mountains. And the weather was fantastic - spring & sunny. And yes I did feel that Rocky mountain high! On the photos you see me and my new friend Audra (another amazing artist) in the Rockies; me helping my colleagues preparing a client for a head casting, and a shot of the master - Dave himself with his art in his studio. New casting orders are welcome at this point for April and later. Remember that I cast pregnancy bellies between 36 and 39 weeks and baby booties under 4 weeks and baby hands and feet under 6 weeks. Older babies are welcome if you choose to cast your or your partners hands holding the child, please look at older posts for photos. It was wise to always reserve your fun casting experience at least 2 weeks in advance. 506-576-8817

Before and after

2009-02-05T21:41:00.005-04:00

This couple was expecting their second girl. They came with great ideas for the cast and together we discussed the possiblilies. We decided on this beautifull cast. We choose romantic colours of white for the body and pearl for the shirt, she is holding up with her right hand to show off her beautifull belly. We see both their hands with their gold and silver engagement rings visible, which are casted right in the plaster and finished of with a real swarofski crystal. They have allready returned to Transitions with both their girl to have the babies bum casted. So stay tuned ..........

first baby of 09

2009-01-01T12:56:00.005-04:00

Very please to announce that once again i had the honnor of assisting with yet another amazing birth. Congratulations to angie and ricardo with the birth of their son Matteo this morning.
Their baby is the first one in the G D hospital of the year and the first one for me in 2009.

triple baby cast

2008-12-30T18:37:00.004-04:00

This wonderful cast was done from baby: Skye Phoenix Arsenault. We casted his cute little behind snoozing on moms belly after a wonderful feeding with mommies liquid gold. The moldtaking of the hand and foot was also no problem for this little guy. Interested in a cast like this of your newborn call lidia for a quote and appointment. Lidia 506-576-8817

New Website Address

2008-10-01T12:22:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone,

I am very excited to let you know that you can now find our blog Transitions News through 3 addresses. In addition to this blog, you will soon have access to a real website. Of course there is the blog address but also www.lidiabranch.com and the new www.bellycasting.ca. Pass it along.

Latest gel cast

2008-09-29T17:32:00.007-04:00

This gorgeous belly cast was done from a full term mom with the hands of mom & dad showing. The parents chose lavender blue to match their their home interior decoration. I painted the fabric, (also made out of plaster) a pearl colour with her detailed jewelry in silver acrylic.
The mom and dad had their healthy baby boy a week ago and will be coming back soon to have a baby cast experience and of course to show off their brand new son Skye.

This is what father:Joey had to say about the casting:
I will allways remember how special it was to have my hand casted with the belly buste cast of my spouse. It was another way of celebrating and remembering the loving experiences we shared it creating our son. I highly recommend all of Lidia's sevices at Transitions. i am thankful for the great loving memories that have helped me bond with my son for the rest of my life. Joey Arsenault energyhealer/lifecoach ,you can reach Joey for more feedback by sending him an email to haven2health@gmail.com

Looking for belly painting models

2008-09-27T07:30:00.003-04:00

Hi ladies... yes i am practicing henna and body paint art and I am looking for nice full term expecting bellies to practice on. It is free of charge, the only "catch" is that I would like a testimonial and a photo for promotional use. Come and try henna and color by Lidia Branch and enjoy a full Transitions
Mother experience. Call 506-576-8817 for more info and appointments.

Mounted baby bum

2008-09-26T16:14:00.005-04:00

This is the cute little behind of Elias Perry, about 4 weeks old. While he was sleeping on his
mom’s belly I casted this gorgeous piece of art. Want to keep your babies bum forever?
Call lidia: 506-576-8817

Welcome to Transitions

2008-08-25T20:45:00.004-04:00

Hi and welcome!

Thanks for taking a moment to find out who I am and what I am doing.
My name is Lidia and I am a mother, a birth doula, a belly caster and a midwife assistant.
I guess you can say I know quite a bit about babies. Here is a list of the services I am offering at the moment:
- Belly casting
- Baby casting
- Birth doula service
- Birth preparation classes
- Aromatherapy

F.A.Q Lifecasting bellies

2008-08-07T13:37:00.003-04:00

When should I make an appointment?
You can make an appointment anytime but I suggest before 36 weeks to ensure a spot in my schedule around your 38 weeks of your pregnancy.

Do I have to be naked?
Depends; not for a 'belly only' cast. For a cast with a pretty bra casted right into the mold you would be exposed only for a second when the mold is removed. For a belly and buste cast (mask) your breast would only be exposed for a moment when i start the molding and when I remove the mold. For the clay cast I have to apply a release agent but this is something you could also do yourself behind a towel. If you like the pubic line to show in the cast you will be obviously be exposed for a moment. The only ones present are the female artist or in some occasions a female assistant in the studio. Let me assure you that here at Transitions we always respect privacy and work as life casters on moms and babies as discreet as possible.

Will the cast show my nipples?
If you like it we can, but if not, we can also sand it away in the cast and show a smooth buste
rather then detailed. Or we can also cast lingerie into the mold.

How does it feel like?
A gel mold feels chilly when it is applied and warms up after I apply the plaster shell.
A cast made out of clay will take a plaster mold which can be applied nice and warm.
As both kind of molds are setting you will feel a mild closing pressure, not much.

Is it safe?
The material I work with: alginate and plaster bandages are both approved for use on skin. The alginate is made mostly out of algae. Casting is safe for any healthy pregnant mother who has no complications. Occasionally a light headiness might occur. The msds are on location for any mother who like to review the product info before casting.

How long does it take?
The casting session including intake info and freshen up takes anywhere from 1 to 2 hr. After you leave I cast the mold and let it dry for 1 to 2 weeks depending on the season before painting it.
Often I bring the cast free of charge after 2 , 3 weeks and get to peak at the baby.

Do you cast babies?
I cast only babies under 6 weeks. I cast their hands, feet and behinds. For a few artistic moms out there, I also cast placentas as the trees of life.

How much is it?
Price depends on the shape, material and decoration or not. A simple belly bowl starts at $100,
for prices scroll down to life casting section. For those who don’t like a detailed cast I do sell the plaster cast kits to do at home for $50, scroll down for info.

Some testimonies about my doula services:

2008-06-26T22:25:00.003-04:00

The guidance and support offered by Lidia was invaluable to our experience. Lidia has been part of our support system for 2 pregnancies now and we wouldn't hesitate to call her again or recommend her to others. (Jeff and Lisa)

Words simply cannot express how wonderful you are (Lidia) and how you do your job. I feel truly blessed that i was able to have this wonderful experience in my life. It was by far the most awesome birthing experience compared to the other two I had. ( Monique Majeau)

The magic of birth Birth preparation classes.

2008-06-26T22:09:00.005-04:00

You've read the expecting book, did the prenatal class and you still dont feel confident about your upcoming birth? Then these classes are for you!

Upcoming classes:

~What is labor? Fears and solutions
~Creating your birthenvironment
~Preparing home and family for babies arrival
~Comfortmeasures and birthscenarios
~Creating baby moon time (first 40 dys after)

$50 per couple per class of your choice or safe ,and do all 5 for $200 (no tax)
Location: 81 Archibald Moncton

Call for dates and time and registration: Lidia 506-576-8817

Pair of feet - cast

2008-05-01T14:55:00.008-04:00

This is one of my latest baby feet cast, a beautiful memory with the engraved nameplate to finish it. You can even make an appointment during the pregnancy for 4 weeks after the due date. I like to cast babies under 6 weeks and therefore it is necessary to book your session in time. A cast like this would be all in 120$. Different colour combinations are possible. Thank you baby Zayden and to his mom and dad.

Latest Gel Cast

2008-02-18T10:48:00.021-04:00

This wonderful new style belly bowl belongs to mother sylvie when she was expecting her 4th baby. We choose the vines since it is representing natural growth. The bowl was left unvernised since the mother wanted to add the childrens names and or handprints

These are some of the most recent gel casts I did. The copper bellybowl on top is casted with a mix of plasters and finished with a copper metal paint. Her navel ring came out pretty good. The parents: Krista and Patrick are now enjoying their wonderful new babyboy; Maverick in their arms and Kristas’s pregnant belly on the wall. Thank you Krista for the wonderfull photo of your son.

The bronze one was from a mom to be, she was not at term yet but decided that it would make a wonderful valetines gift for her partner.

The second metal belly bowl was made for a friendly mom to be when she was 37 weeks. We choose for a silver color since their house has a modern decor

2007 Success Stories

2008-01-21T11:43:00.000-04:00

When I look at the average numbers with about 1 out of 4 women end up with cesarian birth and 1 out of 2 with epidural, I am very proud to let you know the following numbers of the couples I guided in Moncton hospitals in 2007. I know it is not really comparable since in don’t attend hundreds of births per year but still. I am very happy for my clients that all of them had such a good birth outcome. Here our outcomes photos of Caleb and Ina, two of our many babies of 2007.
Vaginal births 100 %. Cesarian births 0 %. Breastfeeding 100 % (at least for the first few weeks but most of them longer). Instrumental 0 %. Pain medication 20 %. Epidurals 10 %.

Transitions Aromatherapy Birth Kit

2007-11-30T16:06:00.000-04:00

I am very proud to present this Birth Kit. The lovely olive colored pouch contains my favorite three Certified Organic essential oils: Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and Peppermint(5 mls); as well as a mix of carier oils and natural soluble. As a birth doula/midwive assistant and Aromatherapist, I always had big success with these oils during labor and birth. Now i offer these kits to anybody expecting or working with expecting couples. I included my most favorite and effective recipes so any birth attendant or birthpartner can easily use this kit during their magical event. Your kit will be send out as soon as we receive payment (to Lidia Branch) in the form of cheque or money order. Call or email for your order to
506.576.8817 or transitions@nb.aibn.com

Price 40$ plus S&H
Birth attendants get 10% off

What is a doula?

2007-11-28T14:34:00.000-04:00

A doula is a professional health care practitioner who will prepare couples
for their labor and assist them during birth in the hospital and keep a eye on the couple postpartum. She is not a midwive or a nurse and cannot perform any medical interventions. She is there to inform, guide and encourage the
couple in the most important time of their lives.

Interested? We have some opening for new clients in the new year.
Fees can be negotiated on a one to one basis but will start at $500 for the months the doula will guide the couple.
Comments and Questions are welcome.

Tree of life cast

2007-10-16T07:37:00.002-04:00

I know that for some this might sound different the first time you hear about doing anything with your placenta, but just give it a thougth for a minute. In Holland we call the placenta; the mother cookie. It is THE part of you what gives life to your baby. Without it your little one wouldn't have oxygen and nutrients. It is the sacred bond between you and your child. Now it will be easier to keep that thought in mind every time you look at it. And you have to admit.....: it does look like your special tree of life, doesn't it. You can have YOUR placenta done for $85 (no tax) finished in any colour or style you like. (just ask the Dr. at birth to save it for you and freeze it)

Baby hands and feet

2007-03-28T13:14:00.001-04:00

New.
We are now able to cast your baby’s hands and/or feet or little items. You can either leave it plain white or finished with coloured plaster. I can also finish it for you. Some suggestions: gold paint, stone look, crackled etc... Creating the mold takes me only minutes of your time, the finishing just a couple of days. For prices or appointment please call me.

Mission Statement

2007-03-16T09:09:00.000-04:00

My mission is to prepare, guide and empower moms and dads to be,
help them figure out what is important to them during labor and
delivery and immediately postpartum; and to help them realise this as
close to that as we can. I want women to know and trust their
bodies and the natural process of birth. A big part of my mission is
to put fun and magic back in the sacred time of pregnancy and birth.

transitions: expecting with a touch of magic

lifecasting

2007-01-08T20:17:00.009-04:00

Do you know that you are able to keep your pregnant belly forever!
or your babies hands, feet

With alginate gel we can make an everlasting
souvenir of your belly and or baby. Alginate gel will capture every smallest detail, even
goosebumps, veins, nipples, nails etc..

The technique is done in studio: Transitions in Notre Dame a nice 20 minute
scenery drive from Moncton on appointments only.
You will be welcomed in a warm, relaxed, private atmoshere.
We will start with a short intake with a cup of tea and explanation of the procedure details.
When i am ready to cast, you will be asked to remove your clothing and the material is applied
immediatley. Most shapes of cast will require for you to pose between 20 and 30 minutes.
Babies hands or feet just takes a minute or two.
The material can either be a skin safe: alginate (made of algea) or silicone.
After the mold is set and carefully removed. You will be handed a rope or wrap and you can
fresh up in our spacy, tasteful clean bathroom. Afer this it might take a couple of days for me
to pour and finish the cast with clay, plaster or hydrocal.
Call for your appointment preferable a week ahead 506.576.8817
See the photos of the procedures

welcome to transitions

2006-12-10T21:06:00.000-04:00

hello every one,

This is my brand new blog. I am at the moment quite busy with preparing some moms and dads for that special day to come for when they will meet their baby. I love doing that but it takes quit a bit of my time; so bare with me as it takes a while to have my blog updated. I am also back at the market in Dieppe casual (look for dates) with the products I create at the same time. Of course our children are at a cute but busy age and require alot of our time as well. So come visit my blog once in while for updates and hopefully soon with some pictures of some of my products.

Lidia