Plaster of Paris
Apr. 29th, 2023 04:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitThe Dare to Dabble class yesterday was for Plaster of Paris.
We began with all our equipment laid out neatly
And rolled out some clay which would be used for the mould. The idea was to create a pattern using natural materials pressed into the clay. So here's an imprint of a seashell
And alternatively some lavender leaves
Once satisfied with the pattern (being clay it can be rerolled until happy) the clay and the container is oiled to make it easier to release the plaster cast
And then the plaster of Paris is made up and when at the right consistency, and not already starting to set, it is poured into the mould.
While this was cooling and setting (it gets quite hot as there is a chemical reaction between the water and the plaster powder) we made a second, larger mould, this time without using a plastic ring to help contain the plaster.
There are no pictures of my second attempt because
Instead, it's a similar process: roll out the clay, create the pattern and then push the sides up to contain the plaster
Once cool and the plaster is set it is released and here are my two casts
The brown is residue from the clay which I can wash off in a day or two, when everything is properly set
We began with all our equipment laid out neatly
And rolled out some clay which would be used for the mould. The idea was to create a pattern using natural materials pressed into the clay. So here's an imprint of a seashell
And alternatively some lavender leaves
Once satisfied with the pattern (being clay it can be rerolled until happy) the clay and the container is oiled to make it easier to release the plaster cast
And then the plaster of Paris is made up and when at the right consistency, and not already starting to set, it is poured into the mould.
While this was cooling and setting (it gets quite hot as there is a chemical reaction between the water and the plaster powder) we made a second, larger mould, this time without using a plastic ring to help contain the plaster.
There are no pictures of my second attempt because
Instead, it's a similar process: roll out the clay, create the pattern and then push the sides up to contain the plaster
Once cool and the plaster is set it is released and here are my two casts
The brown is residue from the clay which I can wash off in a day or two, when everything is properly set
