These pages are meant to show how I make a plaster ocarina mold. I am a potter, not a mold maker, and am not claiming to be an expert at mold-making.

This mold will be a slump mold which will be used with rolled-out slabs of moist clay which are pressed into it. This type of mold is not suitable for use in slip-casting.

The first thing you will need make is the ocarina form. This is the clay model that the plaster is poured over. This must be made with care, because this model determines the shape of your mold, and the ocarinas you will be making with it.

If you are already doing clay, you will probably have the pottery tools. They are indicated by a* Most, if not all, of the other materials and equipment needed are easily obtained through your local market and hardware store. Many of them you may already have in your home.

This second set of tools are for the plaster mold itself.

(7) Shiny sheet vinyl flooring. I bought a one foot by 12 foot piece from the local building supply.

(8) Large hair pins

(9) Duct tape

10) Shallow cardboard box

(11) Two plastic trash bags ("tall kitchen" size)

(12) Scoop for dry plaster (a small plastic yogurt container works well)

(13) Plaster of Paris (available at hardware stores) The amount needed will depend on the size of the form.

(14) Kitchen scale (for weights up to 25 pounds)

(15) Mixing bowls--you will need two of these.

(16) Measuring cup - ounces or milliliters (ml) - not pictured

(17) Dust mask* (not pictured)

(18) Moist ceramic clay

(19) Paper towels (not pictured)

(20) Large bucket or any container big enough to immerse the mixing bowls and the other tools during clean-up. (not pictured)

Next: Making the Clay Model >>

Ocarina Mold-Tools 1 | Making the Clay Model 2 3 | Mold Box Floor 4 5 | Mold Box Walls 6 7 | Mixing, Pouring, and Finishing 8 | Make an Ocarina with a Plaster Mold | Clay Ocarina Mold | Make an Ocarina using a Clay Mold | Make an Ocarina Without a Mold | Glaze a Ceramic Ocarina | Glaze a Dragon Ocarina