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Step 1: Liquid slip (clay and water mixture) is poured into the plaster mold. |
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Step 2: After several minutes, the dry plaster mold will have absorbed water from the slip on the mold interior contact area resulting in a clay deposit in the mold cavity. When the clay deposit is about 3/16" thick, the slush can be drained from the mold. After several minutes, the mold can be lifted apart. |
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Step 3: After your greenware (fragile dry clay casting) has set in the half mold for several minutes, it will be firm enough to handle and remove from the mold to be placed aside while drying (usually overnight). |
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Step 4: After greenware is thoroughly dry, The mold parting seam lines are cleaned with scraping type tools and then damp sponged to remove any remaining surface imperfections. |
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Step 5: Underglazes are usually
applied to greenware for solid or partial coverage design work purposes and then the
greenware is fired (baked) in a kiln (high temperature oven), after which the greenware
matures into bisque (a hard ceramic). Glazes (color tinted, finely ground glass mixtures) are usually applied to bisque (greenware that has been fired one time) usually in multiple coats, according to the jar label instructions. Overglazes are sometimes used for special effects, and as the name implies, these finishing products are applied on top of a fired glaze and then re-fired. Stains (non-fired finishes) that are applied on bisque (so additional firings are not necessary), are commonly used for indoor decorative ceramic items. For outdoor durability and food contact ceramics, non toxic rated glazes are recommended. |
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Step 6: Stilts are used when firing to prevent the glaze (which when heating turns into a molten glass coating on your ceramic surface) from sticking to kiln interior surfaces. Kiln firing can take several hours, depending on temperature desired, and equally long to cool down. Contrary to the home oven baking process, the ceramic is not removed until the kiln has totally cooled down. |
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Step 7: Final assembly is made quick and easy by using Projectpak® decorating kits specially designed for your ceramic. Whether you are making a clock, music box, or a lamp, these Projectpak® kits contain the necessary parts and step by step instructions. |
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Step 8: CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW CREATION! |
