9.ASH TRAY from a 1-piece mold

pottery wheels

pottery wheels

Above is one-piece mold and ash tray made from it.Remove dust from inside mold with dry sponge.

Left, slip is mixed thoroughly to creamy, smooth consistency.Mixing too hard may create bubbles in slip.One-piece mold is not easiest to pour since lip and edges require special care, but 16-year-old George Engel tries it for the first time.Below, he pours slip slowly into the mold; don't stop pouring or there will be mold marks on ware.

pottery wheels

pottery wheels

pottery wheels

Pour until the slip seems almost to overflow the edge, as seen above.The slip is actually higher.In about 10 minutes mold is ready for pour-out; blow softly on edge to check thickness.Let sur­plus slip drain back into jar.but don't let the mold be right-side up at any time while draining.

Allow the piece to drain on edge oi stick, keep­ing the corner you used as a spout at the bottom.

When ready, piece will come out when mold is re­versed; it must be dry enough to maintain shape.

pottery wheels

pottery wheels

pottery wheels

Three dogs above were made from same mold us­ing different slips.Top dog is with red slip, glazed transparent; bottom dog is white slip.The dog at right is made from porcelain slip and is 10% smaller than others because higher firing vitri­fies, shrinks it; it was glazed black and fired.Colored slips will temporarily stain your mold.

Probably the most complicated mold you'll ever pour, this nine-piece one still isn't that difficult if you keep parts clean and dry, and assemble carefully.Top, parts are near where they as­semble and are marked with indelible numbers for guide.Bottom, mold is assembled; the ninth part holds everything in place.Four pour holes receive slip and let out air as slip fills mold.

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