Making Plaster Molds
Copyright Eliza Fegley, 2001.

Needed:
Petroleum jelly
Plaster Paris
Modeling Clay
Wooden board or working surface
Varnish *optional for preserving your mold

You will need a wooden board or some working surface that is
for crafts only.
Work your modeling clay into a one-sided relief. This means that
one side will be flat and the other side will be raised.

(Sacred Bull)

When you've made your shape, coat it in petroleum jelly and then
position the shape on the wooden board, flat side down.
Using more modeling clay, make a retaining wall around your
shape so as to hold the plaster in. *If you run out of modeling clay,
like I did with my goddess, you'll need to find a flat bottomed thick
plastic container to set the shape in.

Coat sides, board (or bottom of plastic container) with petroleum jelly
with the shape in place.
Mix plaster according to directions on the packaging.
As the plaster starts to get thick, pour a thin layer of it over your shape.
You may want to take a straw and blow the plaster into any curves or
edges of your shape. Pour the rest of the plaster over the shape until it
is covered.

Allow the plaster to set.
Once the plaster is set, remove the retaining wall or remove it from
the container.
Remove the modeling clay from it. This may take a craft knife or a
regular kitchen paring knife (kitchen paring knives are cheap and can
be used for alot of different crafts).
Once all the clay is removed, allow the plaster to dry for a day.
Smooth edges with a paring knife where needed.

To make the mold last, coat it in varnish or a protective acrylic spray.
At least 2 coats.

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