Question:
How do I make a simple plaster mold?
Simple round mold: step 3
Once you have your plaster poured, you simply place your balloon or ball (if a ball is used it would be advisable to seal it with soft soap before use), into the plaster to half cover the ball. You can tape it into place while the plaster heats, cools and sets.
Remove the ball or balloon and container, scrape off any rough spots, leave to dry in a cool dry place for a week and it will be ready to use.
Settling your plaster
After pouring, pick up your container and softly tap it on the table or the floor. Or if it is too big, tap the edges and shake from side to side. You are trying to get air bubbles to the surface.
Hump/Slump molds/ description
It is very useful to have molds that you can put slabs of clay over (hump molds) or into (slump molds) for making platters and dishes. The benefit of working with a hump mold is you have access to the back (bottom) of the clay, for adding feet or decorating the back side. The advantage of working with a slump mold is you can work on the top surface while it is still wet. But you have to remove the item before it is completely dry to attach any feet or work on the back side
Making your clay master
You can make your own shape out of clay by pressing balls of clay together in roughly the shape you want. For example, you could rough out a rectangular casserole dish. A wooden paddle is useful for getting your clay close to the right shape. Then cut a template out of cardboard which is the profile of the cross section you desire. For a rectangular shape, you will need two pieces of cardboard, one for each direction. Pull this cardboard across the soft clay pieces to finalize the shape. One this shape is made, burnish the edges so they are very smooth, then build a moat around it (as above) and fill with plaster.
Storing plaster
Bags of plaster should be kept in a dry place. If they absorb a lot of water in the bag, they set up much faster and are more difficult to work with. If your plaster has absorbed water, you can refresh it by heating it to around 700 deg. F. to remove the moisture.
Tools #2
Fine Nylon Tulle is readily available at fabric supply stores, and sander sponges are found cheaply in most $2 stores or at any hardware store.
Quick drying
The best way I have found to dry molds is to place them in the sun for a few days......if you want a quick dry, however, try the oven, don't heat over 150c as will weaken mold, but a few hours in the oven will do wonders.
Simple round mold: step 2
Mixing the plaster.
To a bucket 1/2 full of water, add potters plaster by the scoop and distribute evenly over the surface of the water keep this rhythmical action going until you notice islands of grey plaster forming through the surface, keep sprinkling the plaster onto the watery areas until all plaster is damp and grey. Place hand into bucket and stir, trying not to break the surface as this introduces air. When mixed pour your plaster into your waiting mold surround.
Dog/cat bowl
You'll need 1kg of Raku clay, and you.
start by flattening out 100grams of clay to form a base, place this in a plastic covered dish, to keep the shape and roll yourself some coils with the remaining clay. place a coil on the already formed slab, and pinch and pull it so it adheres to the slab, use your fingers to meld the to the right thickness approx 1/2". Keep joining coils in the same manner until the bowl is the correct size. Leave to dry and decorate as you like. Any local gallery will fire your piece for you.
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| Guru Spotlight |
| Patricia Walters-Fischer |
