I need to make 80+ pieces so the idea was to form a plaster mould and then I could press mould them all. Only thing is the item is a replica of a popular toy however I found some ice cube trays of this toy and thought great, I'll form the plaster master in the tray and then form up the working mould...
There have been a few issues to overcome not least being the lack of suppliers open over the Christmas holidays, then the masters would not come out of the working mould even though I put extra layers of mould release on them...
But then I had a good look at the back of the iceblock tray and decided there was enough detail to cast the back of the tray. It is one of those silicon trays and so too flexible to use as the working mould. Anyway, things are now underway.
The finished pieces will be suspended so needed wire loops inserted prior to firing. I had a go at making these using Nichrome wire... my first efforts above... fortunately my husband is very handy and took the wire to the garage to use his 'boy toys' and came back with some beautiful even loops.
So I now have ten prototypes ready. I'll dry them slowly and fire them as soon as I can safely do so. This means I need other pots to fill the kiln.
So today I've made some bottle pourers...
They range in weight from 400 gms to 700gms... this style can't be too big as there is no handle.
A little decoration coming up before they go in the kiln.
We also had a visit from the local wildlife today...
He is a juvenile Eastern Water Dragon... they venture up from a nearby creek at this time of year to feast on the fruit that drops from our palm trees. This one appears to be shedding skin. They have pretty markings and can grow twice the size of this one...
Thanks for dropping by and I hope 2016 has started well for you...
8 comments:
Love the water dragon. We have had our share of visiting wildlife lately. My son saw a snake in the garage. I'm hoping it has moved on since the other day. Especially since I read that 80 per cent of snakes in our area are eastern brown snakes which are the second most deadly snake in the world. I was really comforted to read those statistics. (not) Also a galah was on our aviary roof. It couldn't fly. We tried to look after it but it wouldn't accept any food so I had to hand it over to the wildlife group. I am going to ask about it tomorrow. And right now there is a gecko in the cupboard. Just what I need. Geckoes are cute but I prefer them outside.
you have me going with your secret project; how wonderful to see a dragon
Hi Caroline
One of these water dragon climbed the brick wall of our house and came into our lounge room! As you say nice to have the lizards around but Outside please! We have a tree snake living in our roof... too many trees being cut down around us. I hope that galah is OK we rarely see them here as they are outnumbered by the Sulphur Crested Cockatoos.
Hi Linda
I still have a few hurdles with firing etc so keep your fingers crossed for my project and all will be revealed in a few months time. As I said to Caroline the wildlife is fine so long as it stays outside :>)
Keep warm over your side of the world
A snake in the roof? Eek.
Yes Caroline though it is a green tree snake and fairly benign as snakes go.. fairly timid. I hope the one in your garage has moved on.
Water Dragons are so cute --- good luck with your project, and the water pitchers look great!
Hi Dawn they have really interesting markings and vary in build.. we had another visit this week. thanks for the compliment on the water pitchers :)
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