Expert: Leisha Hiester - 8/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello and thank you in advance for any help you can provide. I acquired a
religious mold (about 18" tall) and the mold itself is made of plaster. Someone
told me not to use plaster inside this mold as it will seal it shut. Can you tell me
what other materials/medium I might be able to use in this to make a statue?
Could I use cement, wax? I appreciate any help you can suggest. Thank you!

ANSWER: Dear Tom,

Depending upon where you're located, there should be a ceramic supplier near you. If you can tell me what city you're near, I can provide you with one.

What your mold is probably designed to create are ceramic statues. The product you need is called "slip." It is simply put, liquid clay. Your supplier can also give you detailed instructions on how to "pour" your mold.

Basically, you band the mold pieces together with "mold straps" (with smaller molds you can use mold bands, but I suggest a strap with one this large). You pour the slip into the mold, allow it to set up until the walls of the clay are thickened up. Each mold is different; 10-15 minutes may be an average, but an 18" statue may take longer. You want the piece thick enough that the walls are uniform and don't collapse when removed from the mold. The plaster will suck the moisture out of the wet slip and dry the piece from the outside in. When walls have formed, you pour the inside slip out leaving the piece hollow. It can be a tricky process as each mold has its quirks. There may be a detail to the figurine that causes the slip to stick in a certain area.

You may want to purchase a very small mold and practice on it first.

Let me know where you're located and I'll supply you with some suppliers. Hope this helps.

Leisha

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Leisha - thank you so very much! I live near Milwaukee and
Madison Wisconsin. Thanks again!!

Answer
Tom,

Here's a couple suppliers near you;not sure if they carry what you need, but they should or they should be able to direct you to someone who does. Hope this helps. Leisha

A.R.T. Studio Clay Co. Inc.
(262)884-4278
9320 Michigan Ave.
Sturtevant, WI 53177-2425
Email: ben@artclay.com
www.artclay.com

Sax Arts %26 Crafts
(262# 784-6880
#800)328-4729 Fax
(800)558-6696
PO Box 510710
New Berlin, WI 53141
Email; info@saxarts.com
www.saxarts.com