Anyone else start on these? I had a mishap with my 2nd one. I am wondering how thin the slip needs to be. Ideas? Thoughts? Thanks Karen

  • elaineMAEnglish
    1·
    9 days ago

    Can you say a bit more about your mishap, specifically? I’m not your expert but the right consistency is kind of … maybe somewhere a bit thicker than heavy cream ish, if that helps. It should flow readily but not be watery.

    The second variable to consider is how long it stays in the mold before you take it out. The plaster absorbs water from the slip and you need to remove it at just the right time - it’s firmed up, but is still pretty wet, like cold leather.

    And also: IIRC because the plaster absorbs water from the slip, you won’t get the same result/drying time if you try to pour again right away into the same mold. Lesli please correct me if I am wrong here, and how long you wait for the second pour.

    • LesliEnglish
      2·
      8 days ago

      I do no generally pour twice in a day. I find my molds keep their detail (and produce “crisp” castings) longer if I alternate days of casting. Basically, I want the mold to dry in-between castings. I know that at Pour Horse, they used to cast twice a day, but that was in Carlsbad, which has a more arid climate.

      One way to tell that you are pouring when the mold is too wet is if the clay leaves a significant stain inside the design of the mold. Your clay should darken the mold ever so slightly (because it is wet) after you remove the casting, but it shouldn’t leave actual clay residue behind. Usually, if the is happening, the mold is too wet - or the casting is being removed too soon.