Earl Krueger on sat 27 dec 03
On Dec 27, 2003, LaurieJean gombar wrote:
> My goal is to make hot air balloon decorations
> for my babies room (using plaster).
LaurieJean,
I gotta ask the obvious question; Why not use clay?
(No disparagement or disapproval meant.)
I think it would actually be easier to roll or beat out
a slab of clay and form it over the mold than use
plaster.
If your kiln is not big enough you could cut the
shapes into pieces at the leatherhard stage and
then reassemble them after firing. With a little
careful planning the cut lines could be camouflaged
as the seams of the hot air balloon.
Earl...
Bothell, WA, USA
LaurieJean gombar on sat 27 dec 03
Hi!
This question is slightly off topic to pottery but it contains questions
about plaster. I have searched the archives and have not found the
answers to my questions. My goal is to make hot air balloon decorations
for my babies room. I am planning on using latex balloons and
posterboard (straightening out towards the bottom to make that hot air
balloon shape)- and after whatever I use has set, cut each balloon in
half so I have 2 halves to put on the wall... The finishing touch after
painting them is using baskets underneath to hold stuffed animals. Big
round of
Ok so I have a few choices for the "hardening" medium.
I could use paper mache. I have done it for crafts with kids, I
actually got ill of making it one summer, mixing and boiling water and
flour ( the smell and look of it really started to get to me)... I
really don't want to repeat that. I want these to be really strong and
not get yucky after 6 months or 2 years even. I am planning this room
to last him till he is at least 4 or 5.
I have looked up plaster craft... $53 for 20lbs of strips... I am
planning some pretty large balloons. One balloon I got at a party
store enlarges to 3ft across... And I will probably do one or 2
16-18inchers and one smaller one as well.
I looked up online medical grade plaster bandages... And to me looks
more expensive for what one is getting, maybe I am just looking in the
wrong spot.
I have some potters plaster... Opened the bag this summer and dutifully
put it in a sealed plastic container... Like an old drywall bucket.
Could I use this with gauze? If so, what is the water/plaster ratio?
Or in this case or use is plaster of paris the same thing? I have heard
they are different.
Will this end up being too heavy? We plan on using wall brackets and
putting some sort of hook on the inside of each half so they slip on and
latch down... Being hooked to the wall.
Any info is really appreciated... I want to have a feeling I am on the
right track before I start down one road and feel like I have made a
mistake...
LJ
LaurieJean gombar on sun 28 dec 03
Hi!
No disparagement taken... :)
There are a few reasons, not all more important than the other. One, I
first had the idea of doing it in fabric or quilting the hot air balloon
pieces... But technically I have not done much quilting in the sense of
piecing and such. I found a place that you can print out hot air
balloon shapes online and create your own hot air balloon- thus
submitting it to the company to be made... I would have to find a
photocopier or get these squares or shapes large enough for the size of
balloons I want to put on the wall. (this may still be a possibility)
Then I had the "bright" idea of doing paper mache.. But again.. The
smell of the flour mixture leaves to be desired, so my husband suggeste
plaster.. And that is where this brings us.
Yes I do have a large kiln... Clay in this application will probably be
heavier than I want to attach to the wall... If it should happen to fall
off the wall, I would not want it to be a heavy item that would really
hurt my son if he happened to be playing under it. I have to keep in
mind that this will be in a child's bedroom... And sometimes children
left to their own devices are not the wisest creatures on the block.
So far I have spent $10 on 2 3ft ballloons... And some smaller others..
I am more of a wheel thrower than scupture artist.. So making these out
of clay may end up being more time consuming in the light of issues with
technical aspects of clay than getting the project done. Which for some
may not be a bad thing. Oh and everything I make out of clay my husband
wants me to sell...
LJ
Due in April...
I gotta ask the obvious question; Why not use clay?
(No disparagement or disapproval meant.)
claybair on sun 28 dec 03
Earl has a good point...
plus if you use thin slabs of porcelain they
could be used as sconces and illuminated.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Earl Krueger
On Dec 27, 2003, LaurieJean gombar wrote:
> My goal is to make hot air balloon decorations
> for my babies room (using plaster).
LaurieJean,
I gotta ask the obvious question; Why not use clay?
(No disparagement or disapproval meant.)
I think it would actually be easier to roll or beat out
a slab of clay and form it over the mold than use
plaster.
If your kiln is not big enough you could cut the
shapes into pieces at the leatherhard stage and
then reassemble them after firing. With a little
careful planning the cut lines could be camouflaged
as the seams of the hot air balloon.
Earl...
Bothell, WA, USA
Millie Carpenter on sun 28 dec 03
3 suggestions. one is that you don't have to boil the flour and
water. regular wall paper past is super fine whole wheat flour I
think. three thin layers of paper will hold forever
if you want to do the plaster this would be a good time to get rid of
old sheets and pillowcases that are past their prime. the plaster
needs to be about the consistency of sour cream or yoghurt. if you
use the plaster email me and I can give you the proportions. my stuff
is in boxes because we are painting and re-carpeting but I can find it..
last---if you want to use fiber. there is a product called "Stiffey"
it is an industrial strength starch/glue/secret ingredient thing. get
it at craft stores, Joann's, Michaels, etc. dip fabric in it and put
it over a form. sets up like a rock.
Millie in Md. trying to enjoy doing my empty nest over with colors
and fabrics that don't have to survive the ravages of indoor soccer,
preteen makeup experiments, extra credit
projects involving food coloring and volcanic action, scout and youth
group sleep overs and other things that I don't want to mention for
fear of scaring people who are thinking about starting a family.
On Saturday, December 27, 2003, at 07:32 PM, LaurieJean gombar wrote:
> Hi!
> This question is slightly off topic to pottery but it contains
> questions
> about plaster. I have searched the archives and have not found the
> answers to my questions. My goal is to make hot air balloon
> decorations
> for my babies room. I am planning on using latex balloons and
> posterboard (straightening out towards the bottom to make
Janet Kaiser on mon 29 dec 03
LJ... Your method of making papier mach=E9 intrigues me. Why does
it smell? I must admit I have never used flour and water,
preferring commercial wall-paper paste with its antibacterial
properties. Maybe that would be an alternative for you? After
all, you cannot beat papier mach=E9 for lightweight yet sturdy
hollow shapes which can be painted or used as a base for other
materials and treatments.
Another alternative, would be to wrap string / cord dipped in
paste round and round a balloon. Once thoroughly dried, you first
makes sure you have prized off the resulting string "cage" from
the surface of the whole balloon, which you can then safely
deflate without the shape caving in. This not only makes a
lightweight structure you could use as a base for just about
anything, you can also cut it in half to use the two halves as
forms to lay flat against the wall. Half balloons with half
baskets below.
Another thought on fixing your balloon to the wall no matter what
you make it from... Pillow fights, throwing objects and all the
pretty natural, wayward actions of young children would make most
wall-hung objects a possible source of injury. So... You screw it
to the wall, rather than depending on hooks. Mirror plates will
possibly be the best solution, depending on your structure, but
it needs forward planning.
I see a great deal of painstakingly made work let down by the
artist/maker having not put enough thought into how it will be
hung securely and safely. An integral hanger is always preferable
to something glued on later IMO...
I also itch to ask why not take a whole balloon and basket
construction and hang it to the ceiling? Why the wall? But that
is none of my business! Good luck with your project. I hope it
works out to your satisfaction.
Sincerely
Janet Kaiser -- now off to bed!
*** IN REPLY TO THE FOLLOWING MAIL:
>Then I had the "bright" idea of doing paper mache.. But again..
The
>smell of the flour mixture leaves to be desired, so my husband
suggeste
>plaster.. And that is where this brings us.
>Yes I do have a large kiln... Clay in this application will
probably be
>heavier than I want to attach to the wall... If it should happen
to fall
>off the wall, I would not want it to be a heavy item that would
really
>hurt my son if he happened to be playing under it. I have to
keep in
>mind that this will be in a child's bedroom... And sometimes
children
>left to their own devices are not the wisest creatures on the
block.
>So far I have spent $10 on 2 3ft ballloons... And some smaller
others..
*** THE MAIL FROM LaurieJean gombar ENDS HERE ***
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The Chapel of Art : Capel Celfyddyd
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Centre of Excellence for The Arts
Home of The International Potters' Path
Tel: ++44 (01766) 523570 http://www.the-coa.org.uk
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Carole Fox on mon 29 dec 03
Hi LJ.
Paper clay may be an alternative for you. Your pieces can be made very thin
and they will be less dense as well.
Carole Fox
Silver Fox Pottery
Elkton, MD
thesilverfox@dol.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "LaurieJean gombar"
To:
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 9:23 AM
Subject: Re: OT?:Plastercraft/plaster of paris/potters plaster/paper mache
Clay in this application will probably be
> heavier than I want to attach to the wall... >
> LJ
>
> I gotta ask the obvious question; Why not use clay?
iandol on mon 29 dec 03
Dear LaurieJean gombar,=20
Medicinal Plaster Bandage will be expensive because it has to be =
Sterile.
Potters Plaster and Gauze may be the best option and the way to go.
To get such large shell structures you may need to consider some form of =
internal support framework to prevent collapse. For this I would suggest =
a Balsa Wood geodesic frame a la Fuller domes.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia
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