Gelatin Mold Ceramic Cactus Vase

Materials:

no. 1 pottery plaster
cooking spray
small plastic spatula
cone 6 clay
water
bucket
potter's wheel
sponge
needle tool
wire tool
scissors
plastic cup
small board or bat (for plaster work)
plastic bags
hardboard shims
electric kiln
glaze
copper carbonate
rutile
gelatin mold
board
paintbrush
hardboard shims

1. Fill a gelatin mold with approximately five pounds of clay (figure A) and turn it upside down to anchor it on small board.

2. Fill in undercuts at the bottom of the gelatin mold with small coils of clay (figure B). Remove excess clay around the mold with a small spatula (figure C).

3. Cut thick slabs of clay with a wire tool at least one inch taller than the gelatin mold.

4. Create a clay wall using the thick slabs by wrapping them around the outside of the mold leaving a one-inch space around it where the plaster will be poured (figure D).

5. Roll out extra coils of clay to reinforce the outside bottom of the clay wall.

6. Spray the gelatin mold and interior clay walls with cooking oil to act as a release agent for the plaster. Smooth the oil with a paintbrush (figure E).

7. Mix plaster with water by hand in a plastic lined bucket. The plaster ratio is determined when the plaster floats like an "island" on top of the water.

8. Pour the plaster on top of the gelatin mold until the plaster is an inch thick on top of the mold (figure F).

9. Gently tap the plaster mold to aid in the removal of air bubbles.

10. When the plaster has set (usually around 30 to 45 minutes in dry weather), remove the clay walls and turn the plaster upside down.