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How do I slipcast ceramics?

Description

Molds for slip casting are made of plaster. This is because the mold must absorb water in order to form a clay body.
Slip refers to the liquid clay. Clay comes in many forms; the texture and chemical content of the slip dictate what type of clay body it forms.
Slips with a very fine texture form porcelain, which is white and extremely delicate and must be supported in the kiln during firing.
On the other end of the spectrum is stoneware, which has a very coarse texture and must be fired at a very high temperature.
Ceramic slip, which is also a clay, is what I work in and have the most experience with. It falls in the middle as far as its texture.
Putting your hand in a bucket of slip is like slipping your hand into a muddy ooze, which feels much like the mud pies we all used to make as children, (only with a much finer granular texture, anyway).

   

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