Stephani Stephenson on tue 24 jun 03
Original question: "What I have made is about 40 9.5"x9.5" relief tiles
for a backsplash. I
would like to be able to mold each tile (no repeat designs) and
duplicate
the backsplash without all the work. If there is a flexible mold that
is
easy and stores well with less bulk than plaster, I'd like to experiment
with it."
Generally, for tile, I still prefer a plaster press mold, and use B-11
gypsum cement rather than pottery plaster #1 (which I use for slipcast
molds).
It seems to me the firmness of the plaster is necessary to get good
detail when the tile is pressed, though for low relief flat tile this
may not be as crucial..
The B-11 is quite durable, less expensive than rubber. When mixed and
cured properly it is quite strong and you can get away with making
thinner molds.
Often a rubber positive (model) of the original item is then taken from
the plaster mold. Keep and use the rubber model if and when you need to
make a replacement mold from it in the future .
Making these second generation models rather than molds out of rubber
is a common and useful way to keep useable, lightweight reproductions
of your designs.
Stephani Stephenson
steph@alchemiestudio.com
| |
|
