Pouring Ceramic Molds
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Details about
Judy's instruction booklet for Pouring for Ceramics
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First an explanation about how molds work. Molds are made
of pottery plaster which is the softest of plasters. The reason it works with slip, is what is called 'channels'. Channels are formed while the plaster is setting up. It's like little tubes running through the body of the plaster. When dry and you add any sort of moisture to one side of the plaster, the water draws through the body. So when you add slip, the water in the slip draws through the plaster, causing the slip touching the mold to thicken. Less water = thicker. Slip is poured into the banded mold and left to sit while water draws through the mold, forming a thickened shell against the surface of the mold. When that shell is thick enough, the excess slip is dumped out, leaving the shell to thicken more, which is what we call 'setting up'. Then when the shell is firm enough, the mold is opened and a little miracle happens, as you see the opposite form from the inside shapes of the mold. There you have a design. I think you would appreciate my instruction booklets, as I go into detail about pouring. Also, in the booklets as well as on the webpage, is my email address. I'm always around to help out. Don't be afraid to ask. There is no such thing as a stupid question. I was careful to help explain to even the very newbie and if I've left anyone pondering, that means I've left something out and I would be wanting to correct that. Judy Sims |
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