Slumping and Draping Molds

There's so many different molds that it's hard to choose! They're available in Vitreous china, Stainless steel and ceramic bisque. (Or cut your own from fiberboard!) The vitreous china ones are the most expensive because they're made from different materials and techniques and will last a long time! Ceramic bisque usually gives you 10+ firings but there's no guarantee as they're just ceramic. Stainless steel is expensive but it is obviously going to last 'forever'. 

Drop-out molds are great because you can always get a flat base....if your shelf is flat! You must use shelf paper/primer underneath, or posts IF you want it to "droop" through! 

When you're slumping you'll have to be sure to heat your kiln SLOWLY! (150deg per hr. is highly recommended). Your molds are subject to 'shock cracking' if it's heated too hot or/or too fast!

You can use kiln wash on the ceramic and china molds. ZYP is recommended for texture tiles and frit molds for ease of removal. It's easy to wash & scrub it off after every use so you don't get some of the smaller details "clogged" with kiln wash!  You can also use Zyp on your other molds, however you CANNOT use a regular primer after Zyp is used!! It seems to 'seal' the pores so primer won't stick.