A PROTOTYPE IS MADE OF THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. THIS WILL BE DESTROYED IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A MOLD.
A WOOD BOX IS CLAMPED AROUND THE PROTOTYPE BUILDING.
PLASTER IS SPLATTERED OVER THE BUILDING IN ORDER TO REDUCE AIR BUBBLES.
THE WOOD BOX IS FILLED WITH PLASTER TO 1” ABOVE THE PROTOTYPE BUILDING.
ONCE THE PLASTER IS SET THE ORIGINAL PROTOTYPE IS REMOVED FROM THE MOLD.
AFTER THE PLASTER HAS CURED (ABOUT 3 DAYS) LIQUID CLAY (SLIP) IS POURED INTO THE MOLD AND SET UP FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES.
A MARGIN OF SLIP WILL SET UP ALONG THE PLASTER AS THE IT DRAWS THE MOISTURE OUT OF THE SLIP. WHEN THE MARGIN IS ABOUT 1/4” THICK EXCESS SLIP IS POURED OUT OF THE MOLD INTO A BUCKET AND SAVED.
AFTER ABOUT 6 HOURS THE SLIP HAS HARDENED AND PULLED AWAY FROM THE PLASTER. THE MOLD IS INVERTED AND THE SLIP CAST KNOCKED OUT.
THE FRONT AND THE BACK (WHICH IS A SECOND MOLD PROCESS) ARE FITTED TOGETHER WITH “SCORING” (ROUGHING UP THE EDGES TO BE ATTACHED) AND GLUED WITH SLIP.
ADDITIONAL PIECES SUCH AS HANDLES OR SPOUTS ARE ADDED ONTO THE TEAPOT. THE LID IS OFTEN CUT OUT OF THE STRUCTURE.
THE FINISHED TEAPOT IS DRIED OVER SEVERAL WEEKS AND BISQUE FIRED AT APPROXIMATELY 1900°,. IT IS THENM PAINTED WITH GLAZES AND UNDERGLAZES AND RE-FIRED.