[steveparkes]

they look like ceramic molds to me..they have the usual look of ceramic molds for a technique called slip casting. A slip cast mold has those holes and plugs to enable both halfs of the mold to locate with each other. Then liquid clay (the slip) is poured into the mold and left for 30mins, to allow the plaster to suck out the water in the slip, and form a 'skin' on the surface of the mold. After 30mins, the remaining slip is poured out of the mold and left for a further 30mins to dry. The mold is then opened to reveal a ceramic cast of the mould, which is then fired and glazed..I would love to try those molds out

[Guest]

Cool, lend them to Steve so he can make us some Gnomey Smurfs!

[Papa Smurf]

So Steve, these are to make clay (fired clay) smurfs?

they look like ceramic molds to me..they have the usual look of ceramic molds for a technique called slip casting. A slip cast mold has those holes and plugs to enable both halfs of the mold to locate with each other. Then liquid clay (the slip) is poured into the mold and left for 30mins, to allow the plaster to suck out the water in the slip, and form a 'skin' on the surface of the mold. After 30mins, the remaining slip is poured out of the mold and left for a further 30mins to dry. The mold is then opened to reveal a ceramic cast of the mould, which is then fired and glazed..I would love to try those molds out

[steveparkes]

it seems like it to me Papa smurf..they look exactly like the slipcast molds that I have currently (although no smurfs).

Steve.

[Guest]

Please can you post some images of them Steve?

[Papa Smurf]

Here we go - straight from the horses mouth:

These are ceramic molds you have to pour ceramic slip into the molds and then when it drys you have a piece that is called greenware, this has to be cleaned and fired in a Kiln to make the piece hard enough to paint, with the mold you can continue to make as many of that paticular type piece as you may want.

[steveparkes]

told you so papa...and I can make and fire them for you if you like as I have my own slip and kiln

[Syd Smurf]

Not sure what a slip and kiln is but it sounds impressive Mr Parkes.

Mr Dyar

PS - I have had a few slips before but I am not willing to talk about them here as they hurt sometimes.

[steveparkes]

It's not that impressive..it's just a powdered clay, mixed with water to make a slip (the thickness of single cream)..which is poured into the mould, the object cast. Then left to dry..then fired in the kiln to 1040 degrees centigrade, where it becomes non reversable (I.E. if you soaked it in water, it wouldn't return to slip). You then paint it with pigments, put on a glaze and fire it again to 1100 degrees and it comes out all hard and glossy and smurflike

[Syd Smurf]

Still sounds impressive to me Mr Parkes. Have you made any smurfs by this method so far? It would be cool to be able to make your own smurfs.....I could make Staci Smurf which would be named Attitude Smurf of course.....it's cool that she is away and I can get away with saying stuff about her like this. Anyway back to the making of smurfs.....I would be interested to know what you have done Mr Parkes with the slip and K thingy......please let me know.

Mr Dyar

[steveparkes]

Hi Dyar..nope, not made any smurfs by this method before because I haven't ever had any molds I suppose I could make a mold from a regular PVC figure and then make some ceramic ones..Hmmm...I can see a project coming on

The only things I have ever made by the slipcasting method are things like vases, ceramic eggs, a christmas tree with illuminated lights..etc

Steve.

[Syd Smurf]

Ceramic Eggs???? I like the idea of the Christmas Tree.

If I ever get my hands on any molds I might send them up to you to play with and see what you come up with or maybe look into producing some myself. It could be a fun extension of the hobby but I guess the hard part is actually getting hold of the molds. If you ever do any smurfs then please let us know about it as I would love to see what eventuates.

Cheers

Dyar

[steveparkes]

Thanks Dyar..I think I can make my own molds from PVC figures..it's tricky, but I am sure I can do it. I will have to have a go..not that if I make any I would sell them, as that is breaking copyright..but I'll post pictures when I have a ceramic smurf

[Syd Smurf]

I am currently making moulds for my smurfs too. I have wet the smurfs and placed them in a plastic bag with a dash of our dinner from tonight. I will leave them out in the warm sun tomorrow and hopefully the moulds will start to grow in a few days.....you sure you don't want me to send any to you...the smurfs would be nice and green by the time they get there?

When God made me he deliberately broke the mould

Dyar

[steveparkes]

I'll pass on that thanks Dyar But you're right..you're one of a kind

[eggie smurf]

.....I could make Staci Smurf which would be named Attitude Smurf of course.....it's cool that she is away and I can get away with saying stuff about her like this.

While the cat's away, the mouse will play - you didn't get away with saying stuff about me too long, did you? I'll show you some Attitude....

[Syd Smurf]

um....um.....I didn't mean you of course Staci, I meant a different Staci. This other Staci posted here while you were away and Karen & Rachel deleted her posts because she was so full of attitude.......um, um......back me up here guys otherwise I will look like a big lier.......um.....um....please don't hurt me Stace.....it was a typo, yes that's what it was a simple typing error. What it was meant to say was that I could make Staci Smurf and I would of course call it Gratitude Smurf because I am so grateful for having someone on these boards with such caring, loving and understanding......oh, please don't hurt me...I beg for mercy.

Dyar Consequences

[steveparkes]

um, um......back me up here guys otherwise I will look like a big lier.....

Sorry Dyar..you're on your own here mate

[XoioX2000]

Oh go on Staci, a fourth time....

Ah yeah yeah the other Staci... I remember now... She was, yeah, she was just that...

Oops the phone is ringing, sorry got to go...

David

[eggie smurf]

I would of course call it Gratitude Smurf because I am so grateful for having someone on these boards with such caring, loving and understanding......oh, please don't hurt me...I beg for mercy.

Dyar Consequences

Well since you begged so nicely and since no one backed you up ( ), I will go easy on you!! As long as you spout the "caring, loving and understanding" propaganda - I mean truth - online.