http://www.go2itnetwork.com/mold-clay/
Using Hump Molds and Slump Molds for Slab-Built Plates
After just a few hours of practice, anyone can learn how to roll out an even slab and can experience the thrill of working with different stages of clay, and learn what that clay is capable of at every stage. You can familiarize yourself or your students with simple hump and slump molds, and begin to consider the function and form of a piece. Most importantly, you or your students can learn how to manipulate clay in an intentional, direct way. These plates are a wonderful surface for embellishing, finishing, and glazing. And when the project is finished, you will have a set of useful dinner plates to eat from or to give as gifts. To begin with, roll out a slab of clay between ¼” and ½” thick on a piece of canvas. Roll 2 or 3 times on each side, then remove the slab from the canvas and flip it over to continue rolling (since otherwise the clay grips the canvas and stops stretching after a few rolls). You can do this with a rolling pin, but superior results are obtained using slab rollers. When you reach the proper thickness, lift the slab gently and let it stiffen to soft leather hard. The clay slab must be bendable without cracking, but not so moist that fingerprints will show on it.
Using a plate as your template, cut a circle out of the slab with a needle tool or a fettling knife, always keeping the tool or knife perpendicular to the slab to maintain a square rim. Smooth out the rim of your plate by sliding your finger across its edge with a firm pressure; or use a damp chamois or sponge. Lay the plates over hump molds or gently press them down into slump molds to form a uniformly curved shape. Let the plates dry to firm leather hard inside the mold. Then remove the plates from the molds and check that they sit firmly on a flat tabletop without rocking; and that they stack nicely. Examine the rim of each plate and do any final shaping which it might need. Now the plates can be decorated. Sets of plates can be tied together by theme, concept, color, size, or position of the image. While they are still at the leather hard stage they can be textured with slip inlay of different colors using paper stencils to make bold borders or graphic motifs for the plates. Soak the stencil in water until it is wet but not yet soggy, and place it on a paper towel to remove excess water. Place the stencil on the clay plate and press it down with a damp sponge. Paint slip over the stencil, then carefully remove it from the plate. Stencils can be reused several times. Then glaze using a non-toxic, lead-free glaze formulated for use on dinnerware, and fire. Voila!
Slab-built dinnerware is easy and fun to make using hump molds and slump molds. For a complete line of molds as well as clay, slab rollers, and non-toxic glazes, look to AMACO for the widest variety and highest quality ceramics supplies.
About the Author
Make a Mold for Polymer Clay by Garden of Imagination
|
|
Ateco 5357 11 Piece Plain Round Cutter Set $12.64 Ateco s/s 11-piece plain edge round biscuit cutter set great set to use when making biscuits. the graduated sizes in this set are 3/4″ to 3-5/8″. stainless steel construction ensures neat, even cuts. model #: 5357 material: stainless steel color: silver set of 11 cutters size range: 7/8″ to 3-3/4″ shipping weight: .2.3 lb made in china 275008… |
|
|
Mustache Lollipop Chocolate Candy Mold $1.99 Made by one of the largest manufacturers of candy and soap molds, our chocolate and candy molds create fun shapes for parties, home cooking, or commercial candy shops. All chocolate candy molds are reusable and made of durable PETG plastic, and FDA approved…. |
|
|
Melissa & Doug Shape, Model and Mold $11.13 The Melissa and Doug Shape, Model, and Mold Kit includes everything your little one needs to create fun, clay creations! Offering hours of imaginative fun, each kit includes 4 tubs of modeling dough, molded lids, a patterned wheel press, 5 wooden stamping cubes, and 3 patterned rolling pins. Children will have a blast rolling, cutting, pressing, and shaping their way to fun!… |
|
|
Sculpting Whimsical Faces (Master Artisans: Polymer Clay) [VHS] $10.99 … |
|
|
Exploring Art Clay Silver, Part 1 [VHS] $15.00 Art Clay Silver is a moldable clay that becomes pure (99.9%) silver when fired. In its wet stage, you can shape it into any form imaginable by rolling, sculpting, molding, stamping or extruding! After drying, you can sand, file, engrave and even drill your pieces! Firing is easy using an electric kiln, a butane torch, or even a gas stovetop! Art Clay Silver is versatile – it can be added to a vari… |
|
|
Molds, Stamps and Tools with Polymer Clay (Mastering the New Clay a Live Workshop Series Vol 4.) … |
|
|
All-Fix 2 Part Epoxy Putty 3/4 Lb. Kit All Purpose 1001 Uses $17.49 All-Fix Epoxy Putty 12 oz. Kit (3/4 LB) … the two part amazing all purpose epoxy putty repair material. Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to the number of uses for All-Fix. This wonder material will patch holes, chips, cracks, seals & plugs leaks even underwater ! All-Fix works wonders rebuilding, fixing, restoring, bonding or creating just about anything. It can be shaped by hand… |
|
|
Mix’nfix $7.88 Broken mug? No Problem! Leaky pipe? No Problem! Household repairs are easier than ever with Mix ‘N’ Fix Bonding Putty! This powerful putty is incredibly easy to use, and it dries rock hard in minutes. The specially formulated mixture is water and heat resistant, perfect for use on nearly any surface. Simply cut off the desired amount, mix the putty between the fingers till the thermal reaction beg… |
|
|
Rich Diesslin The Cartoon Old Testament – Isaiah 63 16 64 8 Mold Me Bible metaphor God the potter clay the people – Light Switch Covers – double toggle switch $13.75 Isaiah 63 16 64 8 Mold Me Bible metaphor God the potter clay the people Light Switch Cover is new and handcrafted utilizing unique process resulting in a stunning high gloss ceramic-like finish. SET OF MATCHING SCREWS IS INCLUDED giving it a perfect finishing touch. Made of durable metal material…. |
|
|
Mark Alfrey’s Standard Molds and Castings $32.95 Learn the techniques of making silicone molds and plaster molds. Then learn how to cast latex or resin from those same molds. Approximately 2 hours in length…. |