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Can't visualize how to use this mold

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 5:26 pm
by sbaddley
Hi,

My son sent me a "Doctor Mud's Ceramic drape mold" and asked that I make a glass light switch cover for my granddaughter. (https://picasaweb.google.com/1147880860 ... /WarmGlass). I've seen light switch cover molds that you fill with frit and/or scrap glass--which makes sense to me. I can't get my mind around how to use this drap mold. I can't see how I would cut the blank, arrange for the screw and switch holes, and how the detail would show up on the outside of the switch (seems like the detail would be on the inside of the glass).

Has anyone ever used this type of mold? Any recommendations on how to use it? I'm leaning towards painting the mold and sending it to them to use as the light switch cover. If it wasn't sold as a "glass fusing/draping mold", I would swear that it was a "Paint it yourself" piece of fired pottery.

I'm always reluctant to show my ignorance--but I'll do anything to make my granddaughter happy :)

Re: Can't visualize how to use this mold

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:44 pm
by Laurie Spray
Scott.....
I would paint it like you said. It is not meant for glass.

Re: Can't visualize how to use this mold

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 8:05 pm
by Morganica
Yup, it's bisqueware meant for painting/glazing. You could make a mold FROM this switchplate, and cast/slump your glass in that mold. Or you could slump transparent glass over it, so that the shape would come through like a hologram, then grind a hold for the center switch (or make your blank with the hole and hope it slumped OK).

Either way, that's a lot more work that simply glazing and firing the switchplate. ;-)

Re: Can't visualize how to use this mold

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 8:30 pm
by Glass Fever
There are some people passing off ceramic bisque ware that is meant for painting/glazing as glass molds. Some of the shapes do work fine as slumping molds. Others, as in your example, do not.

Re: Can't visualize how to use this mold

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 1:15 pm
by Laurie Spray
Easiest of all.....paint it with acrylics and seal it with a spray sealer. That way you could use bright colors and not worry about glazes.