Mould Making for Slumping

Learn how to make simple and effective slumping moulds for glass. This class is all about creating moulds that allow you to produce glass shapes that are unique. While we love commercially available moulds, it is nice to know how to make your own shapes and an added bonus is they will work out at a fraction of the cost. Learn to create shapes that are distinctive and reusable in fired clay, plaster/ refectory, vermiculite and a variety of other materials. We will look at how to make slumping moulds, texture mats along with drop through moulds.  This 1 day face to face class we will cover  a comprehensive range of materials that can be used to create unique slumping moulds. Students will work through all the different types of moulds listed below and make a number of samples to take away. All materials Included.  We will cover include:

• Clay- the best sort to use, how to form hand built moulds and fire them
• Vermiculite- How to work with it safely. It’s best applications including drop through moulds 
• Repurposed china- how to make it suitable for firing, types you should avoid
• Metals- what metals make good moulds, when is a metal not suitable. How to prime it and getting forms spun
• Plaster and refractory moulds- what to add to plaster and when is it a good fit for slump moulds
• Fibres and other refractories- why and how to work with them safely

Some of the technical considerations discussed will include: holes in moulds for venting, mould shrinkage, cost effective mould making, priming metal moulds and the all important OH&S in mould making.

Basically everything you can use in the kiln will be covered in this comprehensive workshop.  This class is limited to 5 students and will be held in our Belgrave studio. Class runs from 9.30am – 4pm Wednesday 17th July

This class will be run by Brenda Page, a glass artist with over 30 years’ experience in running an access workshop and working in kiln formed glass. Brenda holds  a BA in ceramic design with a major in glass.