HGTV.comHGTV.com

Gelatin Mold Ceramic Cactus Vase

A gelatin mold was used to shape this ceramic cactus vase.

That's Clever! : Episode HCLVR-233 -- More Projects » (Continued from Page 1)
PHOTO

Figure G
11. Remove the plaster mold, clean up the sharp edges and allow it to fully dry for a few days (figure G). Throw away any clay that has mixed with the plaster.

12. Cut several 3/8-inch slabs of clay from a larger clay block with a wire tool and hardboard shims for even consistency.

PHOTO

Figure H
PHOTO

Figure I
PHOTO

Figure J
PHOTO

Figure K
PHOTO

Figure L
PHOTO

Figure M
13. Press the slabs inside the plaster mold in a patchwork fashion. Use a sponge at first being careful not to rip the clay. Blend the clay seams thoroughly with fingers (figure H). Roll a coil of clay and press it on the inside top edge to reinforce the seam (figure I). Let the clay dry to a leather hard stage.

14. When leather hard, remove the clay from the mold and set aside.

15. Repeat Steps 13 to 15 to create another half. You will have one for the top and one for the bottom.

16. Attach the halves together by scoring with a needle tool and slipping with watered-down clay together at the middle seam. Add small coils of clay in any grooves as necessary.

17. Center the ceramic vase on the potter's wheel and secure it with three coils of clay around the base (figure J).

18. Cut a hole in the top with a needle tool.

19. Add coils of clay (figure K) and blend them together to throw the neck of the ceramic cactus vase (figure L).

20. Add clay slip to a sandwich sized plastic bag, knead for consistency, snip off a bottom corner with scissors and extrude small spikes (cactus) onto the form—similar to applying icing to a cake with a pastry bag (figure M).

21. Once bone dry (about 24 hours later), bisque fire the gelatin mold ceramic cactus vase in the electric kiln to 1700-degrees F. The ceramic cactus vase is "soaked" overnight at 200-degrees F and then slowly fired to temperature in about 6 to 8 hours. It will take about 24 hours to cool to room temperature.

22. Glaze the ceramic vase by first pouring glaze on the inside with a plastic cup, fully coating the interior surface. (The glaze contains 4 percent copper carbonate and 6 percent rutile for interesting color effects).

PHOTO

Figure N
23. Submerge the main body of the ceramic cactus vase in glaze up to its neck (figure N).

24. Once dry (about a minute or two) turn the ceramic vase upside down and glaze the neck by submersion as well. Remove the glaze on the bottom of the ceramic cactus vase with a sponge and allow to dry fully.

25. Glaze fire to cone 6 in electric kiln, which is about 2200-degrees F. To grow rutile crystals the gelatin mold ceramic cactus vase needs to be cooled slower than normal. This means turning the kiln back on "medium" at periodic intervals during the cooling process.

Website: www.claymatter.com

Also in this Episode
That's Clever! : Episode HCLVR-233
•Handpainted Funky Wood Chair
•Metal Wall Hanging
•Gelatin Mold Ceramic Cactus Vase
•Silver and Copper Ring
HGTV.com
Services Popular Content About
Our Sister Sites

Comparison Shop for Home Decor & Garden Tools at Shopzilla & BizRate

UpMyStreet and uSwitch.com provide UK comparison services.

© 2008 Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.