Feel free to use it to your advantage.
(Click on the small photo to enlarge)
You can NOT work without the proper tools. The following photos show the tools I use...
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A fine mesh stainless steel strainer. White Wedgie for smoothing out pour hole areas (neck holes, leg holes, arm holes. A Jiffy Mixer attached to a drill is used to thoroughly mix freshly opened slip. (Jiffy Mixers can be ordered from National Artcraft) A wooden dowel rod for stirring, hereafter. A good timer is necessary |
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Plastic gallon buckets (I use at least 3) |
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Plastic coated strainer placed over a bucket for draining slip from molds (household section, Walmart - dish drainer) |
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Notice the difference in the brushes. To prevent scratching the inside of the mold, make sure you use a very Soft Bristle dust brush |
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rubber bands and straps for securing mold. If you use rubber bands, and think two is enough, add one more There is nothing messier than cleaning up the mess when the bands let go. |
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Rubber Mallet for lightly tapping molds (when suction is created and the casting won't come out. Gently tap the edges of the open mold by holding the mold in your hand and taping with the other hand. If you put the mold on a hard surface and tap, you will most likely break the mold! ALWAYS HOLD THE MOLD WHILE YOU TAP. |
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Tools for piercing ears, eyes and neck holes |
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Clean Diapers, fiberfill, old newspapers to cover your working surface, fresh scalpel or utility knife, trimmers, cattail sponge (for smoothing holes after using the white wedgie) When you are pouring a new mold: Leave the mold strapped until it is dried (sometimes two weeks!). Use the dust brush to dust out the cavity, as there is usually powder inside the cavity. Molds should remain on a wood surface. They can develop RUST spots if stored on metal shelving. Continue to next page |