Materials And Supplies

shallow glass or metal ash trays

2 pounds plaster of Paris vaseline fine sandpaper tempera paints mixing container wooden stick or old spoon shellac denatured alcohol water

Figure 26. Plaster of Paris Dishes.

Tools

1/2" paint brush ; pointed knife

In making these dishes it is simpler for the beginner to use receptacles with sloping sides rather than sharp corners. Because they are covered while in an upside-down position, shallow glass or metal ash trays, those having designs pressed on the under side, are the best subjects. With more experience one should have no difficulty in working with larger cake plates, trays, and bowls.

Since plaster of Paris becomes chalk white when set, tempera paint may be added to the water so that the dishes take on an interesting shade. The model for the round dish in the center of the photograph was an aluminum ash tray which was left un-painted. The square dish was a glass ash tray which was painted in red, blue, and yellow, following the depressed pattern of the original. The five pointed star was a glass candle holder which was painted partially in blue. These three dishes were made with the same mixture of plaster of Paris, and the quantities given above are for covering three similar small articles.

Procedure

1. ;Work at a table covered with several layers of old newspaper. Have the top layer plain wrapping paper or waxed paper. With your fingers cover the outside and underside of the models with a layer of vaseline. Do not allow the vaseline to clog up the lines and depressed designs of the models Turn them upside down on the covered work table.

2. ;Pour a pint of water into a container large enough to hold a quart. Color the water with tempera paint the background shade you desire the finished dishes to be. The final shade to which the plaster dries will be much lighter than the colored water.

Sprinkle some plaster of Paris slowly on the surface of the water. As you do this, the plaster will sink to the bottom. Keep adding more plaster slowly until no more is absorbed. You should have used most of the two pounds of plaster. Stir the mixture gently to avoid creating air bubbles. If you have added the plaster properly, no lumps will appear in the mixture. It should have the consistency of thick whipped cream.

Work quickly and cover the greased articles with a half inch thickness of plaster all around. Smooth the plaster on the top of each article so that the base will not wobble later when it is turned over. Allow the plaster to set for about fifteen minutes. At the end of this time the plaster will appear dull and will show no finger prints when you touch it. It will also feel warm to the touch. Turn the dishes over and pry the models out of the plaster using great care. This is the only difficult part of the procedure and you may need some help from another person to get the model out without breaking the plaster.

3. ;Set the plaster dishes aside on plain paper and wait at least twenty-four hours before handling again. If it is raining, or if there is high humidity in the air, wait two days before proceeding.

4. ;Smooth all rough edges with sandpaper and make the thickness of the plaster even all around. This will take time and patience. As soon as you are satisfied with the result, brush off any excess dust with a clean paint brush.

5. ;Paint as much as you wish, or as little as you wish, using the original depressed designs as a guide. Perhaps you will want to leave the dish unpainted or to make a border design only.

Figure 27. Octagonal Picture Frame.

6. After the paints are dry apply shellac to the inside and outside of each dish. Two or three coats of shellac are required. Allow enough time for the shellac to dry thoroughly between coats. Clean the brush with alcohol.