Home of the Smurf Community

Slightly more serious topics for smurf collectors including promo smurfs, smurfy discoveries, unlicensed smurfs, playsets, smurfy items etc
Page 2 of 3
Postby steveparkes » Wed Sep 22, 2004 5:07 am
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 :-D :D
Long, long ago, deep in the forest, there was a hidden village where tiny creatures lived. They called themselves the Smurfs. They were good.

http://www.nationalfriends.co.uk

Postby Guest » Wed Sep 22, 2004 5:17 am
Cool, lend them to Steve so he can make us some Gnomey Smurfs!
Postby Papa Smurf » Wed Sep 22, 2004 6:10 am
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 :-D :D

Yup

Postby steveparkes » Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:07 am
it seems like it to me Papa smurf..they look exactly like the slipcast molds that I have currently (although no smurfs).

Steve.
Long, long ago, deep in the forest, there was a hidden village where tiny creatures lived. They called themselves the Smurfs. They were good.

http://www.nationalfriends.co.uk

Postby Guest » Wed Sep 22, 2004 12:05 pm
Please can you post some images of them Steve?

Postby Papa Smurf » Thu Sep 23, 2004 8:28 am
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.

yup

Postby steveparkes » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:30 am
told you so papa...and I can make and fire them for you if you like as I have my own slip and kiln :-D :D
Long, long ago, deep in the forest, there was a hidden village where tiny creatures lived. They called themselves the Smurfs. They were good.

http://www.nationalfriends.co.uk

Postby Syd Smurf » Thu Sep 23, 2004 7:46 pm
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.
Postby steveparkes » Fri Sep 24, 2004 2:24 am
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 :-D
Long, long ago, deep in the forest, there was a hidden village where tiny creatures lived. They called themselves the Smurfs. They were good.

http://www.nationalfriends.co.uk

Postby Syd Smurf » Fri Sep 24, 2004 2:57 am
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
Postby steveparkes » Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:56 am
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 :D

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.
Long, long ago, deep in the forest, there was a hidden village where tiny creatures lived. They called themselves the Smurfs. They were good.

http://www.nationalfriends.co.uk

Postby Syd Smurf » Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:05 am
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
Postby steveparkes » Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:11 am
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 :-D
Long, long ago, deep in the forest, there was a hidden village where tiny creatures lived. They called themselves the Smurfs. They were good.

http://www.nationalfriends.co.uk

Postby Syd Smurf » Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:30 am
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
Postby steveparkes » Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:48 am
:D :D :D I'll pass on that thanks Dyar But you're right..you're one of a kind :-D
Long, long ago, deep in the forest, there was a hidden village where tiny creatures lived. They called themselves the Smurfs. They were good.

http://www.nationalfriends.co.uk

Postby eggie smurf » Fri Sep 24, 2004 8:30 pm
.....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? :D I'll show you some Attitude.... 8-)
:dory: Staci :dory:

Postby Syd Smurf » Sat Sep 25, 2004 5:31 am
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
Postby steveparkes » Sat Sep 25, 2004 6:12 am
um, um......back me up here guys otherwise I will look like a big lier.....
Sorry Dyar..you're on your own here mate :D :D :D
Long, long ago, deep in the forest, there was a hidden village where tiny creatures lived. They called themselves the Smurfs. They were good.

http://www.nationalfriends.co.uk

Postby XoioX2000 » Sat Sep 25, 2004 2:03 pm
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
:dragon: I like the smell of Napalm, first thing in the morning...:dragon:
Check out The Dragon's Cave

Postby eggie smurf » Sat Sep 25, 2004 5:33 pm
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 ( :D ), I will go easy on you!! As long as you spout the "caring, loving and understanding" propaganda - I mean truth - online.
:dory: Staci :dory:
Page 2 of 3

Login

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests