How to Make Mixing Teapots
Mixing casting slip is the process through which clay is liquefied with water and other polymer and powder additives to create ceramic pottery items such as teapots. Molds are used for the liquid clay, which is poured into them and left to set for varied lengths of time based on the size and thickness of the piece that is being crafted. The excess clay is drained before the teapot is removed and finishing touches are applied. Like any craft project, trial and error play a large part in mastering the techniques.
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Instructions
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Pour slip into the molds that comprise the pieces needed to make the teapot. There are five basic molds that need to be cast: the main pot, the spout, the lid and the handle.
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Fill each mold to the top until completely full. Be careful not to start and stop the pour as ripples could be created that may not be easy to erase later.
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Set aside the molds and let the clay rest inside. The plaster from the mold is absorbing the water from the clay and creating the hard shell of the item that is being created. The longer the clay remains, the more water that is being absorbed and the harder the outer walls of the teapot become.
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Pour the excess clay from the mold once the desired thickness is achieved. A cast of about 20 to 25 minutes will result in a thickness of about 3/16 inches. If the teapot should be thicker, allow a longer time period inside the mold.
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Leave the mold alone for about 45 minutes to an hour to allow the mold to draw moisture from the clay. When the proper amount of time has elapsed, the clay will begin to lift from the walls of the mold.
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Remove the item from inside the mold. Don't force the mold open or you could damage the ware inside. If the clay is not fully dried, then it may not be ready to be removed.
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Trim excess clay and seams from the items that have been cast. Make all surfaces smooth so they are ready for assembling.
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Make a hole for the spout with a protractor so that it's an even opening to begin assembling the teapot. There is no specific size, so it's entirely up to you on how wide a hole to make, based on the type of teapot being created. For a built-in strainer, attach a mesh dome over the spout opening inside the body of the pot.
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Score along the outside body of the pot with the scraper, two or three times at the surfaces where the spout and the handle of the teapot will be placed. Since there are many different types of teapots these locations are up to you. Be sure to scrape grooves on the pot as well as at the contact points of the spout and the handle.
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Apply slip to each of the components that will be glued to the teapot. Liquid slip is used as an adhesive and in this case, it will be used to affix the spout and the handle to the teapot. Scoring the areas creates a groove to help the items adhere to each other tightly.
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Polish and clean the teapot thoroughly and let dry fully. Then you can put it in the kiln and fire it.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to clean the molds thoroughly prior to pouring clay inside. This will prevent any impurities from damaging the piece that is being molded.
Different molds can be fickle and it will take some time getting used to how they work best. One way to tell if it is ready for removal is to feel the texture. Hardened clay that has a leathery feel to it is probably ready to come out. During this part of the hardening process, it's time to make decorative touches and attaching any items to the pot.
References
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