1-Part Mold Making & Slip Casting (2-Part Workshop)

Guest Instructor: Sarah CihatDates: September 23 & September 30Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Two 2.5-Hour Sessions)Location: Slip Ceramics — East Nashville, TNSkill Level: Beginner to IntermediatePrice: $195 (Includes all materials, plaster, casting slip, and two kiln firings)Unlock the world of ceramic reproduction in this hands-on, two-part workshop led by guest artist Sarah Cihat. Whether you want to replicate custom forms, create unified studio editions, or explore mold making, this class covers the complete process of creating a 1-part plaster mold and slip casting ceramic forms from start to finish.What You’ll LearnSession 1: Plaster Mold Making (Sept 23 | 5:30–8:00 PM)Design & Draft Angles: Master the fundamentals of identifying undercuts, suction, and draft angles to ensure your objects demold cleanly.Coddle Wall Construction: Learn how to build leak-proof coddle walls using a variety of materials (plastic, metal, wood, or cardboard), secured with clamps and clay seals.Plaster Mixing & Pouring: Practice mixing ratios using #1 Pottery Plaster, slaking, hand mixing without bubbles, and controlled pouring.Demolding & Finishing: Safely remove your master object, bevel mold edges, and prepare plaster for drying.Session 2: Slip Casting & Greenware Finishing (Sept 30 | 5:30–8:00 PM)Casting Slip Dynamics: Learn how to gauge slip consistency and viscosity by feel, and understand how dry plaster draws moisture out of liquid clay.Pouring & Wall Thickness: Learn how to check wall thickness as your piece casts, and discuss the various factors—like mold dryness, humidity, and slip age—that affect absorption time.Demolding & Fettling: Release your leather-hard castings, trim seam lines, sponge edges, and detail finished greenware pieces.Studio Firing: Leave your finished pieces to dry for bisque and clear glaze firings!Object Guidelines: What to BringFor Session 1, please bring a nonporous master object to cast based on these parameters:Maximum Dimensions: 4" Wide × 7" Long × 5" HighRecommended Materials: Glass, hard plastic, glazed ceramics, sealed metals, or hard rubber.Materials to Avoid: Raw wood, plaster, unglazed clay, leather, soft silicone, or 3D prints with heavy layer lines (these absorb moisture or trap plaster).Shape Requirements: Objects must not have undercuts (deep indentations, handles, or reverse angles where plaster can wrap around and trap the piece).Pro Tip: Bring 2–3 object options to the first class! Sarah and Isabelle will help you select the best candidate for a 1-part mold.What’s Included5 hours of expert instruction and hands-on guidanceAll #1 Pottery Plaster, clay, coddle wall materials, and setup suppliesStudio casting slip and tool usageBisque and clear glaze firings for your completed piecesSpaces are strictly limited to ensure individual guidance during plaster pours. Reserve your spot today!