How to make a Plaster Press Mold -- Slab Building Pottery

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You can use many everyday items to create a plaster press mold! In this video, I will show you how you can make a plaster mold to slab-build a ceramic tray. Slab building is one of the most approachable pottery techniques for beginners. Get started today!
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[@vickyvanderbilt]

Great to see you getting beginners interested in pottery. Especially liked how you are able to explain steps clearly. Couple of suggestions from a 40 year teacher of ceramic arts. This is not a press mold, its a drape mold. A press mold has two halves and one is lowered onto and "pressed" into the other under mechanical tools. Normally used for items too large and thick for a drape mold, such as a sink. Also, should be using a NIOSH respirator and not a fabric mask. One inhalation of fine plaster can cause permanent damage to the lungs that shows up when you get older. When mixing plaster always add dry to wet, people often get this backwards, but you want the dry plaster to form a "volcano" shape in the water and peak above the water line. Lastly, if you use a porous container such as bisque clay, simply let the plaster fully cure, takes longer but better result, it will pop right out when completely dry. Keep up the videos, you are a good teacher and that can be rare in the arts.

[@adrianadanish2884]

you can actually just turn on the weighing scale while the bucket is on that so you dont have to do the math, it just automatically turns zero for you:)

[@jaynedavis3388]

I can’t believe I’ve done an art kit that contained plaster but no warning beyond “don’t sniff the plaster dust”. They also put resin in the oven in the instructional video 😰

[@johnonorgan]

you add the plaster to the water and let it slack a bit over the level of the water I think it is in the instructions

[@lp9074]

still stuck on the math equation lmao! great video

[@noortjebosma]

Oh wow I see my comment from 2 months ago I just made my first plaster mold! The plaster is now drying in the mold.. I didn’t make enough plaster so I had to make more and add it real quick I hope it turns out fine… edit: I had to tap it really hard to get the plaster out and broke the mold 😅. Luckily it came out at the end so I can use the plaster mold. Next time I’ll use Vaseline ánd conditioner/bodycream :)

[@MEM2022]

You can also add a bit if dish soap before putting the plaster on it that helps the unmolding much easier

[@lamardon9723]

Plaster is a great alternative to the messy shaped and shaved styrofoam or crudely cut and glued cardboard. I already had some from chalk paint projects. 🎉

[@jessfulcher5957]

You are a fantastic teacher. You gave us the courage to fall in love with pottery. We’ve come together as a family during Covid and started our ceramic adventure. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the masses.

[@dianalest553]

Omg, thank you so much for all your tips, since last year I started to be crazy in love with ceramics and your channel have helped me to be motivated 😊🌸

[@marTinD42Mike]

You are such a delight and your love of ceramics is infectious! glad you are continuing!

[@noortjebosma]

So cool! I’m planning to make plaster molds but didn’t know how thought I will look it up when I get to it but this video was in my recommendations and it solved every question I was probably going to face. I love that this is possible! Thanks for the clear instructions as always ❤️

[@ritmopop]

Thank you so much for your videos! Whenever I get in trouble with clay, there we go, you save the day with your videos. Greetings from Italy

[@mrjasonblackman]

Love your channel! Keep it up.

[@jennyp7084]

Very helpful. I’ve not made a mood as yet but now I’m keen to do so. Thank you.

[@drakeface]

Some safety notes: it's important to use a mask rated for fine particles ! A cotton mask isn't enough protection, and the dust can hang around in the air too so ensure you are in a well ventilated area. Lastly, plaster, wet or dry, should never go down the drains.

[@Kirill3519]

Thank you so much for your videos! They are so useful and off course you are very charming) Every time I see your video I learn something new for me and become more calm then before. Thank you so much again ☺️

[@fulmere1]

Thanks for this video and your studio (pottery to the people) take home kits!

[@ChiquiHarris]

hello ! I did this experience but with a glass container so the surface is not porous ! So could you please let me know if the mold is going to pop up out of the glass container please? And if it doesn't do you know any way to do it to avoid loosing the glass container ? It is my mom mixing glass bowl :/\I did the experience also with a plastic container and the mold pop up out in 2 days ! Love the video !

[@ladymonstergirl]

This was super helpful!