How To Make Ceramics Using Molds

From simple one piece plaster molds to more complex multi part molds plaster mold making allows the potter the freedom to experiment with ideas for form and surface because it takes away a bit of the preciousness of a one of a kind wheel thrown pot.

How to make ceramics using molds.

Apt ii mend a mold was designed and formulated specifically for repairing plaster ceramic molds. How to make ceramics using molds. Molds make it possible to repeat patterns and forms for a variety of reasons. Casting with clay pamphlet casting with clay.

Here you ll learn how to make ceramic molds as well as how to use them. Ceramics are some of the most beautiful craft projects. A comprehensive guide to pouring molds maintaining slip and casting wit. The clay is then pressed into the mold and the plaster evenly takes the moisture without cracking and sticks.

Your work is now ready for bisque firing and glazing. You do not want to fire this clay or mix it into your other clay as plaster mixed in clay is likely to cause an explosion in the kiln. This video shows you step by step how to make your own molds for slip casting out of pottery plaster. Tips for making plaster bisque and styrofoam molds making and using casting slip and decorating ceramic surfaces learn to make ceramic molds in this free pdf.

Molds are very useful for making multiples of your fa. Using molds and templates in ceramics has become an increasingly popular way to create because it offers artists the ability to make unique custom work and improve productivity at the same time. While it was once thought of as cheating using ceramic molds is a technique that is increasing in popularity among potters these days. Try not to roll your clay too thin to reduce the risk of breakage when moving it next line your mold skip this step for plaster molds so that the clay doesn t stick to it.

Making ceramics does not have to require a kiln and pottery wheel. Trim any excess clay from around the edge of the mold to finish it before firing. Ceramics can be used for indoors or outdoors for pots tea kettles figurines and many other pieces. These molds can now be used as press molds press clay into it peel it out and to make sprigs clay that is attached to your piece for raised decorative effect.

First roll out your clay evenly and place it over your mold. Leave your clay to dry to leather hard and then carefully remove it from the mold. When you make a mold or a template you are limited only by your own imagination. Browse through our archive of articles to find a variety of techniques from making plaster molds for slip casting and press molding to making bisque clay hump or slump molds to creating molds for casting clay sculpture.

Once the clay has dried to the leather hard stage the design is removed to dry or attach to other objects. Use the same clay a few times then discard.