Smyrna times., 1901-07-17
AMATEUR SCULPTORS
THEY NEED COOL HEADS AND FIRST
GLASS PLASTER.

How Ornaments For the Home Can
Be Made IL the Beginner Has IA Lit
tie Ingenuity and Patience-Cast of
the Baby's Hand.
Few people realize the pleasure and
instruction that can be gained from
making plaster casts. 1t is inexpensive,
and the utensils required are found in
every household. y cast of the baby's
chubby hand or foot or, in fact, a cast
of any kind is not only a delight, but
an ornament. The great secret in max
ing successful plaster casts lies in not
getting excited. Care should be used
when getting the plaster that it be
plaster of paris and that it be bought
from some shop where it is sure to be
fresh, as that which is obtained from
a drug store is apt to be stale and will
not set properly.
A few quarts of plaster should be
sufficient for first attempt \ bucket
of water, tin basin, tin spoon, some
oil or sOapsuds and, if possible, some
common modelling clay and bottle of
ink are all the materials required. A |
mold is first taken of the object, and |
when this is filled it gives the cast |
There are two kinds of casts-thOse |
where only part of the object is shown, |
the other part resting on Il tile or
plaque, and those that show the whole |
object or are in the round" The hand
| is about as simple an object as can be
found and is more interesting than
most things. AS the hand on the tile
is the easiest. it would be well to start
with that. Place Il sheet of paper on
table and then grease the hand thor
OuGhly with the oil or thick soapsuds
to prevent the plaster from sticking to
the skin when removing the mold.
When the hand is placed in the posi-
ton wanted, fill the spaces underneath
it, where it does not touch the table,
with clay, or if clay cannot be obtained
use putty. 1t is convenient to make a
small wall of clay around the object to
prevent the plaster from running, but
it is not necessary. Put about a quart
of cold water in the basin and pour the
plaster into it, stir quietly and keep the
spoon under water to avoid making
bubbles. Use enough plaster to make
it the consistency of batter. If a little
salt is added or hot water instead of
cold is used, the plaster will harden or
set more quickly. A small quantity of
ink or any cOlOring matter will make it
easier to distinguish the mold from the
cast and will also make it more brittle
or rotten and easier to separate the
two. Pour the plaster over the hand,
taking care that there are no bubbles,
until it is about half an inch thick. 1t
will require few minutes for it to set
and is ready to lift off when it can be
scratched with a knife. 1t is easier to
turn the hand and mold up and lift
the hand out than to take the mold of
the hand. If any plaster has run under
the fingers, cut it away with a dull
> knife.
Should the hand not come out easily
working the fingers separately will of
. ten loosen them. The mold should b'
allowed to dry a few hours and then bC
filled with white plaster, the same con
siStency as was used for the mold.
wall of clay about an inch high will
have to be built around the edge of tht
mold, which when filled gives the till
for the cast to rest on. Let the whole
dry and then chip the mold away will
knife. The mold, being of a differen
color, can be readily distinguished from
the cast.
In making the mold for a cast in tn
round. after the hand has been oiled
sink it to about half an inch in a be-
of plaster. leaving about half an inc
for thickness. Make the rim smOOt
and, when hardened. oil Now cove
e the upper half with plaster. When SCI
" this should knock apart easily and tn
hand be lifted out.
Another way, but Il more Difficult
L. one. after putting the hand half wa
in the plaster and before this has driet
is to put thin strong string around a
the edges of the fingers, letting tn
ends come out at the wrists. Whe
+ the hand is entirely covered with pla!
n ter and before it has hardened, pull til
string out, which cuts it in two. TIL
N manner of filling both these kinds {
le mOlds is the same. Oil and tie the tw
d. halves tightly together and fill wit
plaster, let harden and lift the mold
Off.
at Only one cast can be made frol
rs molds like these. At shops where pla
IN ter casts are made and sold and
number of the same casts are wante
OF a gelatin mold is made. Being elasti
he it is easily pulled of without harm
IS. the cast and still retains its shape al
lie can be filed any number of times. III
N yellow or ivory finish that is given
ar many casts is obtained by using whi
* shellac, which can be had alrea(
10 mixed from a paintshOp. By addiI
% oil naint onv desired color can be O