Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Making a multi mold for samples

Our samples are a couple of years old so we decided to make a new gang mold of samples. I thought you might enjoy seeing the steps involved in making a mold that is basically an ice cube tray with small sculptures at the bottom. 

Enjoy!

Right:
Collection of baked, molded parts.
Right triangle.
Thin strips of clay for separators.

 A sheet of clay 5 by 10.25 inches is rolled onto an appropriate board. The board was first covered with white glue and allowed to dry so that the clay would 'grab' the surface. 

Horizontal lines are scribed in the sheet 1.25 inches apart. 


Vertical lines are next scribed that are 1.189 inches apart. 

The board will produce 32 equally sized sample molds. 


 Each molded part is sanded to smooth the back of each molded part. 

Shown is sanding screen. It lets the dust from the sanding drop away from the item sanded.  



A bit of liquid clay is brushed onto the back of each sanded piece and pressed into place. 


The two parts shown have the liquid clay brushed onto the backs. These two tiny parts will both go in the same square. 


Three squares are completed. Only 29 more to go!


One complete vertical strip is complete. 

The horizontal short strips will now be added. 














There will be two lengths of strips. 

One length for the shorter strip. 

One length for the longer strip.








This handy tool is for cutting miniature lumber, making picture frames, door frames etc for doll houses. 

It came in great for cutting the strips. The bright red lines mark the two different lengths.

The first strip to go into the grid will be the shorter of the two. 


A grove is cut between the two parts the same thickness as the strip. 

The strip is slipped into the grove up to the horizontal line.



The first row now has all three of the separators inserted. The outside of the sheet of clay will be surrounded by a box so no strips are added to the outside. 
 The vertical strips, the longer of the strips are inserted next.  

This makes tiny boxes around the four finished boxes. When they are all in, the next row of molded parts are added and a cross strip under each.

The cross strip gets a drop of super glue on it to secure the vertical strips and strengthen the grid work.

 



Shown left is the tool used to create the grove. Where another cross strip will go.

From now on, a molded part will be secured to the clay base. Then the cross strip beneath it. 

When all three strips are in the four vertical strips will be inserted. 

Then it starts all over again until 32 small molded items are ready to be molded. 

Shown, another molded part is added. 

This will continue until the entire sheet is completed. Shown to the right are some of the existing sample molds. The turtle is a favorite so it was repeated as will the dragonfly.


 Above: Packaged samples for Polymer Clay and Metal Clay retreat goody bags (shown front and back).  If you are a retreat director and would like our samples please contact us from our website Best Flexible Molds.

Thank you for visiting my blog!
Penni Jo Couch

Designer, sculptor, creator of Best Flexible Molds


3 comments:

Tejae: Heart Shaped Art said...

Very interesting to see Penni Jo! Thanks for sharing!

Denise said...

Love these molds! Our Philadelphia Area Polymer Clay Guild was a grateful recipient of these for our May Fundraiser goodie bags - thanks for your generosity, Penni Jo!

Jackie said...

Fascinating, Penni Jo! Thank you for sharing the process with us. :) Hugs!