Why You Should Try Slip Casting
If you like pottery, you won't be able to resist this
Looking to start an exciting new hobby that’s going to showcase your creative side? Maybe slip casting is just the thing for you!
Slip casting can be an enjoyable and satisfying activity for DIY enthusiasts looking to create personalized household items either for decoration or functional use. A traditional technique used since around 200 BC, slip casting has turned into a hobby that’s been gaining popularity with adults all around the world today.
What is Slip Casting
Slip casting is the process of moulding items from clay. But instead of moulding with your hands, you use an item called mould to shape them.
Compared to hand-building ceramics or creating them on the wheel, slip casting is a much simpler and more straightforward activity when it comes to reproducing copies of items for household use. This is thanks to the use of a mould, which you can find in all shapes and sizes.
Apart from its simplicity, slip casting can be a fulfilling activity for those who like personalized items and making stuff themselves. Imagine having a set of porcelain cups you made with your own hands! Slip casting can be a great way for you to express yourself by making household items that best describe YOU.
How to Slip Cast
To get started, you’ll need a few things: you need slip (obviously), which is this kind of clay that’s used in casting pottery. Many people mix their slip themselves but this can also be purchased online or at your local hobby store.
You will also need a mould, which is what shapes the slip. A mould is typically a box made of plaster that has the shape of your desired item cut inside of it. Think of it as an ice tray, except it’s for slip.
Moulds are used to make many different items like teacups, plates, and bowls that come in different designs. By making several copies of household items, you could have your own unique set of tableware.
Additionally, there are moulds for unique pieces such as figurines, which you can paint afterwards. Imagine having your self-made casted figurines sitting on your bedside table or your desk.
To make a slip cast, you pour slip into the mould and wait for it to sit and dry. After a couple of minutes, you take out your cast and put it into the kiln, a type of oven for hardening casts, and wait for a bit. What ensues next is pure satisfaction.
Ready to try slip casting and make your own dinner tablewares? Booking link below.
