update on balloon and condom freeze and fuse
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 7:48 pm
Yesterday I tried 3 freeze and fuse molds, like I mentioned I might try a couple of weeks ago. I used a small, round balloon, a condom, and an ice cube tray that made round ice cubes.
By far the most successful was the balloon, which turned out with enough little folds up near where I tied it off to make it organic/interesting looking. I was able to pretty easily
pour the excess water from it. The condom was more difficult to get the excess water out of, and I ended up with a water mark and different texture near the top. It didn't break when I was putting the powder sludge into it, which I thought might happen. The round ice cube tray was not great. I was able to fill the bottom half of the cube before I put the lid on it. I then had to get the powder sludge into the little hole at the top half of the mold. Slow, but possible. I tamped the sludge tightly into the top half by using a mandrel and poking about, quite a tedious job. When it came out of the kiln there were definitely two halves to it because of the different textures, caused by the different ways I compacted the sludge. I was pleased with the balloon job and plan on making more to play around with. Many thanks for the suggestions!
By far the most successful was the balloon, which turned out with enough little folds up near where I tied it off to make it organic/interesting looking. I was able to pretty easily
pour the excess water from it. The condom was more difficult to get the excess water out of, and I ended up with a water mark and different texture near the top. It didn't break when I was putting the powder sludge into it, which I thought might happen. The round ice cube tray was not great. I was able to fill the bottom half of the cube before I put the lid on it. I then had to get the powder sludge into the little hole at the top half of the mold. Slow, but possible. I tamped the sludge tightly into the top half by using a mandrel and poking about, quite a tedious job. When it came out of the kiln there were definitely two halves to it because of the different textures, caused by the different ways I compacted the sludge. I was pleased with the balloon job and plan on making more to play around with. Many thanks for the suggestions!