DIY: How to make a Two Piece Plaster Mould for Pottery at Home

This is how I make my two piece plaster moulds in my pottery studio. This is a DIY to make your own molds at home from your own unique designs.This is not a professional method but a method I love to use in my home studio.
Here is a list of the materials I used in this video with links to where I purchased them from:
Pottery Plaster No 1: www.barnes.com.au/plaster-gyp...
Cheaper Substitutes for Plaster:www.bunnings.com.au/gyprock-c...
www.bunnings.com.au/dingo-2-5... Masks: www.bunnings.com.au/search/pr...
Soft Soap: shop.walkerceramics.com.au/CB...
Clamps: www.bunnings.com.au/craftrigh...
OPTIONAL: Plaster Sheeting: www.bunnings.com.au/gyprock-c...
This is the link to Jenny Rijke a very inspiring potter who also has a lot of expertise and information on slip casting and making your own moulds. I use their ratio guide for plaster to water mix. www.jennyrijke.com
jennyrijke...
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Shelby Sherritt Art
PO BOX 29
Black Hill, 3350
Victoria, Australia

[@LeoFieTv]

We need an ode to the sacrifiial brushes that we use for all the stuff that we don't want to contaminate our paint with. The ones we use for glue, for wax, for dusting. You couldn't be a creative without them.

[@mollie-rosekaylah2620]

I already thought the world of clay could be endless with ideas, but being able to make your own moulds, just wow! like if there is an animal or thought you want as a mould but it's hard to find one or expensive, you can just make your own! the echidna mug might be my favourite, it's so so cute. also the spider jumping out of the newspaper is the most Aussie thing ever 😂😂😂

[@ShelbySherritt]

SO MANY IDEAS! I wish I could do them all but it is almost a CON having so many ideas and not enough time to do them all! So thats why when I have an idea I make it myself and when I am really stoked with the design I will make a mould from it!

[@lunarmoved]

Hi Shelby just wanted to say thank you for doing these videos. They always relax me. When i saw your first video i think you were in mold 16 or do so i binged then all then continued to watch everyone. They helped me thru a bad time. It's what i needed when i binged them. They are very relaxing to me. Thank you!!!

[@psychedelikchameleon]

This video is so lovely and wholesome, I really enjoyed it. Been struggling lately mentally and physically, but arts and crafts are always there to bring me joy. Or in this case, someone else doing arts and crafts! Started watching your mystery mould series the other week, it's fab. Thank you.

[@jossycaro354]

Shelby, you are super knowledgeable and talented! I normally throw on the wheel, but you explained it so easily with your in-depth step by step procedures that I’m thinking of giving it a go! Thanks for a brilliant video explaining your process.

[@workofartgreeley7065]

GREAT video, thank you! I love the clamps you are using. So much easier than the other ones I've had!

[@jennierenzi8739]

Wow that was so interesting and informative. Love you whimsical fun art work and that fact that you can use it daily is just over the top.

[@BR-nv8bw]

thanks for this! i’ve been sitting with extra clay for years and wanted to make a bunch of stuff with it, but never knew if i was able to make a ceramic piece then make a plaster cast and be able to make clay slips and pour it into the plaster- i was told so many different things of what not to do and etc! this clears a lot up!

[@cherylburkitt9722]

I love watching you so much ❤️ Your tutorials are great and explained so well I think you are so clever ☺️

[@Skrunkleepie]

Thank you so much! This is such an amazing video! I’ve been thinking about trying to make ceramics my career and realized that I’m gonna need to make wolds of my creations so thank you so much!

[@amyensley2478]

Thank you for sharing. I am wanting to make a mold of my work and your video explained so much !

[@mirandabenoit6430]

Such a great step by step video! Thank you!

[@irisesberry6188]

Can you make a video on when you remake the kookaburra. It’s such a beautiful and cute piece 💜 love your videos!!

[@irisesberry6188]

And I would love to see you do and show more of your personal work on the channel or on igtv

[@ShelbySherritt]

I need to remake the kookaburra! I was actually meant to release the kookaburra with the possum! That is how long ago this happened, so maybe 3 years since I first made that cutie. It has been something I just stare at and long to make again but other things take priority! I would love too! I think because I do my originals everyday that I don't really show them off because I don't consider them super interesting (they have just become a daily normal routine rather than a new exciting mould that I have just poured) so thats a bit of why I don't show as much off other than the finished result.

[@christopherstrudwick]

loved seeing you in front of the camera more and even though i was initially disapointed it wasn't a reveal this was so much better and interesting and hope to see more like this as your channel grows awesome job see you next week x

[@ShelbySherritt]

Oh thank you! Its always really hard to speak to the camera! Its mostly the noise control is really tricky as I don't have fancy equipment so it just makes it easier to film and then voiceover so I can control the sound! It is nice to know that this was a good element that you liked as I will try and do it more!

[@mama_p_nz8233]

I found you due to shorts on KZbin Shelby, you are an amazing young lady. Your art is fantastic, your smile is captivating. You are an amazing young lady, i wish you all the best, take care of you.

[@johnagorman]

Such great info. And delightful pottery. Thank you

[@nancyablceranable9862]

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH ❤❤❤❤ its soo helpful and your studio is such a cute location and vry pleasing to see

[@oscariuss]

That’s awesome mate. Thanks for the guide. Great to see Aussie content too

[@tracibrandt4195]

This was so interesting! Thank you so much for sharing your process!! 🥰

[@ShelbySherritt]

You are so welcome! I am just happy it was helpful!

[@marymacdonald805]

Love seeing the processes.

[@paigehones5619]

Thanks for posting! I am embarking on my first mold making journey, with your help. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

[@aaronying4989]

This is so interesting and your presentation is very well done. Thank you. I really want to do this but not sure where to start!! You were very clear. Your work is really incredible. So involved and labor intensive!!

[@gregrumble8207]

Thank you for the detailed instructions!

[@markinpdx7345]

Great video, thank you for sharing what has worked for you.

[@ola_slov]

Thanks a million. Really clear explanation 😊

[@jayjames7502]

Thank you!! so excited to give it a go with my tutor soon!

[@deestride5782]

Your video was fantastic ,your a great inspiration 👏

[@oliviachapman783]

thank you so much for this video it is so well done !! i found some of my late grandmas ceramics that she made in the 70s and i so desperately want to recreate them in her legacy. such an informative video your passion for this craft is so inspiring !!! also appreciate that you’re from aus so i can actually find the stuff at barnes and bunnings

[@heidilorenz5364]

So lovely and cute!!!!!

[@myssyeyde5399]

Loved this video, and your descriptions of the technical sides were totally understandable even to me and I haven’t sculpted since high school :)

[@ShelbySherritt]

Yay! I always find it so hard to explain as sometimes you just need to do it and see it in person but hopefully this in depth explanation makes it a lot clearer!

[@bousaampineapples2360]

Thank you so much for making this!!

[@kirstiemullin4564]

Well done Shelby, another epic video!

[@ShelbySherritt]

Thank you so much!

[@upsettispaghetti3864]

Thank you for the inspiration to try this. Motivates me to try it! Wish me luck 😅😁

[@fireishaw]

Your video are great and so helpful! Thank you so much for posting!!!!!

[@ShelbySherritt]

Oh gosh I am so happy this was helpful! Thank you so much for letting me know!

[@mindygeist7157]

Thank you so much! This is extremely helpful ☕️🍩💕

[@iraimaotteson2838]

Beautiful video!

[@Cherrys4Me8P]

Great video! So helpful ❤

[@maramakesjournals2319]

This was very interesting. At first, my brain could not make sense of what you were doing (newspaper and all that). At the end, my brain felt happy. It’s usually good with spatial things, but this mold thing flummoxed me. I watched to find out what that creature was. I’d seen the little shmoos in the kiln when you revealed mystery mold pottery. Now I know they’re wombats. Cool!

[@fiionafay]

Thanks Shelby, very helpful.

[@shannahmatecun9996]

Wow so cool and informative!

[@lorishaw1449]

So cool! I may try it.

[@aniabrinis3109]

Very good video ❤ very helpful

[@tiahaynes6521]

That was amazing Shelby!!! Thanks!!! Just went and ordered all the stuff to make my own after watching this 😂😂😂

[@ShelbySherritt]

YAY! This makes me so dang happy! So happy it was so helpful and informative that you would like to give it a go yourself!

[@aurianeazo4669]

I really like your plaster mould series.

[@ShelbySherritt]

Thank you so much!

[@scrappinggrammychristine7508]

Thank you for sharing this information. ❤

[@beachtrash1852]

I love your accent! Thank you for a great video!

[@TheBohoSuitcase]

this process is so interesting to watch!

[@ShelbySherritt]

I am so happy you enjoyed it!

[@riverriverchang5487]

v nice tutorial thanks a lot!!

[@Sharitza90]

I enjoyed your video! Please make more videos like this 🙏

[@ShelbySherritt]

I plan on it! Very busy behind the scenes getting the new studio built but as soon as that is built I will have a dedicated space to film and record more tutorial style videos. I am so grateful you enjoyed this one!

[@masolh]

Yeeeeees you areeeeeee baaaaaack 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@ShelbySherritt]

Hehe, I sure am! Not a mystery mould this week but something I really needed to release into the world so thought it would be a good replacement from the usual weekly upload!

[@masolh]

@@ShelbySherritt I'm so glad when I see that you have uploaded a new video. Thank you for sharing your journey! 🌷🌷🌷

[@texastx8247]

Very helpful!

[@shan-gn3ey]

Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@ArtisanalRose]

so helpful!

[@AtypicalPaul]

Great job

[@tammywillgohs5514]

Very interesting!

[@mollie-rosekaylah2620]

I was just about to start watching you and I clicked your channel and you post this, I'm so excited to watch this!

[@ShelbySherritt]

Yay! I am so excited! I hope this one is helpful!

[@ethanhinkle5369]

This is a great video! Thank youuuu

[@ShelbySherritt]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much!

[@nadinechambers]

Thanks for sharing, great video 👍

[@ShelbySherritt]

I am just so happy it was helpful!

[@sierraecho884]

The shrinkage is crazy, also ...cute =)

[@someuser4166]

cute mugs / vases

[@Iisa1010]

I worked in a Dinopark as an intern. We made some of the smaller dino figurines like the eggs and stuff. And it's a quite similar process. love it and miss making stuff like this! came here from your Insta.

[@ShelbySherritt]

THAT IS SO COOL! Thank you so dang much for your love and support! So cool finding out how other people have come to the craft!

[@Shellyshocked]

I didn't realize how much goes in to making them or that they shrink down that much. Great video ty!

[@Cleantok497]

Yay been waiting for a new video I stay off tik tok until I see your video on here :)

[@ShelbySherritt]

Thank you so much! I will be returning to the usual mould reveals this week!

[@jasoncolwell7293]

you are amazing!

[@PurpledaisyShasta]

Cannot wait to use this method to make my own elf dolls.

[@robertdumoulin4612]

This video is very interesting

[@carleyblue3]

Would love to see the process of making a master item that you'd then use for moulds.

[@ShelbySherritt]

You don’t need too! You can use practically anything for a master! Use your imagination! Anything from an op shop find to your own creation! Good luck!

[@pameladelvalle3426]

@@ShelbySherritt Hi Shelby, do you know if your master can be bisqueware or does it have to be glazed

[@elffymon]

So you could use natural things too like mini pumpkins?

[@kristacohen8210]

When making the positive a little bigger than the completed casts, do you also need to make any alterations to the detail of the piece? Perhaps carving details in a little deeper than you'd like them to turn out? Or maybe leaving them a little rounded with the expectation the piece will contract as it dries? I heard you admire in the mystery clown mug video, the way the textured hair turned out.

[@valspeller2242]

Really enjoyed this video, thank you. Could you possibly show how to make a mould for a plate? Also for slip casting.

[@londapaul9087]

I've been considering making a plaster mold(s) of a large plate I can no longer throw. Your video made me feel like it wasn't a possibility. Thank you! do you have other molds you have made with larger pieces, if so would you consider making a video of how you make the mold?

[@The_Joy_Finder]

How did I miss this episode? It is so interesting.

[@nancyw8866]

Very cool. I have a question. Is the inside of the cup depended on how long the slip stays in? Do you have to do anything to the inside?

[@alnooree2000]

good job thanks im working with fiberglass mold

[@teresahamilton7801]

i'm not a potter, but it's interesting to see the process. thanx

[@diegoespaillat2485]

thanks homie!

[@jonyalen5011]

Bom dia, Shelby ! Parabens, pela tecnica usada, gostei muito do seu modo de fazer moldes !. Pricipalmente por usar jornal na base da preparaçao dos moldes

[@ShelbySherritt]

Thank you for the tip! Interesting to know!

[@itsLunaloo]

this is so helpful! his might be a dumb question, but do you have to hollow out the center of the piece after you demold it?

[@carolynpollack1083]

Hi, this was a really interesting video. I've been wanting to have a go at making my own molds. So once the molds are poured/dried, they don't have to be bisque fired?

[@lauraarias4222]

Love your video it has lots of information. Question: can you bake you poterry on the molds? Or you take the piece out of the mold amd then baked?. What clay do you use to pour in the molds?

[@nasrinaghdam9423]

Great video 🤗What release do you use to prevent the casting material stick to plaster mold ?

[@jessicamartinez634]

That was a great video! I wish I could have seen you trim your pieces after molding and if you needed to clean the molds after a pour.

[@ShelbySherritt]

No need to clean unless there is a little bit of clay left over, that’s why I didn’t show it, it should come out clean and clay free if your plaster is mixed right! As for trimming, it depends on the piece and that can be seen in my other content, every piece need a different trim based on your own designs and aesthetic 💕

[@sarahmac27]

Thanks for this! How do you dispose of the plaster and slip you don’t use? I’m guessing let it set and throw out?

[@michaela723]

❤thanks

[@carmenvinci3673]

I LOVE your koalas!

[@ShelbySherritt]

Thank you so very much!

[@shanemilehi]

Love the video. Did you say that you could increase the size of the piece. I wanted to cast chess pieces but would like them not to shrink so much

[@samanthanicholson9015]

I want to make planters and bowls for candles...some usable ones for snacks...would it be the same to make these or would you suggest to do one half top and bottom?

[@natmickan]

If you get stuck with the mold plans for the Kookaburra, VanTikiStudios has a super run down of his process and what he looks for re: undercuts etc. in a few of his Tiki Technical Tuesdays (I wanna say #35 is one?). Love your work :)

[@ShelbySherritt]

HEhe thank you so much! yes very rookie mistake for undercuts on the kookaburra! That was very early on in my mould making journey but since then I have learnt so much! Which has been a big reason why I finally had the confidence to share my process!

[@AtypicalPaul]

If you have a fired piece for making a mould is there a way to enlarge the piece or keep it from shrinking?

[@luzgomez645]

Can I do a mould for an air dry clay piece? Will it stick with the plaster?

[@user-cq8cv6gz7s]

Danke 👍🌻

[@tastykeish]

For the hole on top, how do you get that if it's filed in with newspaper?

[@alexfurey7642]

I'm trying to brainstorm some unique vessels for a candle making business...I see lots of people making concrete vessels but I'm wondering if it's possible to make vessels out of plaster or ceramic (is a kiln needed though?). I don't have the time/skill/tools to make actual pottery on a wheel but I'm wondering if I could make some molds so I can make larger batches of plaster/ceramjc vessels that are unique to my brand.... Is this possible? Can plaster stand up to flame?

[@MissChelle]

Hello fellow Aussie! Glad I found you! Can I use castor oil instead of the release wax?❤️🇦🇺

[@AtypicalPaul]

Have you tried brushing liquid latex to prevent pieces from sticking inside the mould?

[@sensitivebrain443]

Wow thanks so much for making this tutorial! I may be a bit slow but wanted to know how did you make them hollow?

[@ShelbySherritt]

Slip casting works by absorbing the moisture in the clay creating a shell as it sets. Wherever the clay touches the plaster it will start to set. You then pour out the excess clay which leaves it a hollow shell. Hope this helps!

[@bendover-bz4bc]

How do you paint them. They look so cute and beautiful

[@soneiswild]

i wanna make a plaster mold of a fully cure resin piece , good or bad idea ?

[@lucasking4739]

Would it be possible to use air dry clay as the thing you use when making the mould?

[@reba68]

How many layers of soaping do you put on the second half on the plaster?

[@vdandekar]

I see you did this video about 1 year ago. I am in USA. Wondering if you used air dry clay when you built the first piece or did you use never dry clay (oil based)?