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| Plaster Bandage Bowl |
Get the kids involved in this simple and safe craft project, as we make a bowl with a trendy sandstone look.
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Here we use the same plaster that's used to set broken bones to make a bowl with a difference. This project is safe for kids to try as no dangerous chemicals are used. The end result is a bowl that looks as if it has been carved from solid sandstone.
1
Find a bowl with a shape you like. We are using the inside of a wide-rimmed ceramic bowl. Smear the inside of the mould/bowl with oil or Vaseline and line with plastic cling wrap. This will allow the plaster bandages to slip easily from the mould when it sets.
2
Cut the plaster bandage into strips long enough to stretch from one side of the mould to the other. Carefully dip the plaster bandages, one at a time, into a bowl of water, pulling it through, up and out, then letting excess water drip away for a few moments.
Quickly lay the plaster bandage strips into the mould from one side to the other, letting the excess flop over the edge. Smooth out any air bubbles and creases with your fingers.
Repeat until the mould is covered with two layers of plaster bandage. Let it set for at least half an hour.
Remove the bandage bowl from the mould and trim the excess bandage from the rim using the scissors. The bowl is then placed back into the mould.
3
Mix the sand with a little water to make it damp, then add in enough PVA glue to make the sand mixture into a slurry. Starting from the inside centre of your plaster bowl, firmly press on an even layer of sand mixture, working your way to the rim. Do this with your fingertips, using a dessertspoonful of the sand mixture at a time.
Once you are happy with the surface, let the bowl set and dry overnight. Store unused sand mixture in an airtight container. This will keep it moist and ready for the next stage.
4
When the bowl is dry, remove it from the mould. Place it upside down and press more of the sand mixture onto the outside of the bowl. Once covered, turn the bowl up the right way and tidy up the rim. Leave to dry overnight.
Lightly rub over the surface of the bowl with your hands to remove excess particles of sand. The bowl is now ready for use. As it will be strong and reasonably light, you will find many decorative uses for this "sandstone" bowl, and you can experiment with other mould shapes.
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Materials
Scissors
Bowl to use as a mould
Oil or petroleum jelly such as Vaseline
Plastic cling wrap
Plaster bandage
Fine sand (washed beach sand can be obtained from garden centres in small bags for a few dollars)
PVA glue
Water
Bowl for water, and for mixing the sand and glue together.
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Cost
Plaster bandage (we used 300g) $ 11.00/kg
Total cost $ 20.00
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More Info
Plaster bandage and PVA glue are available from all good craft stores. Items supplied for the show by Handworks Supplies, 121 Commercial Road, South Yarra VIC 3141, ph: (03) 9820 8399, fax: (03) 9820 8312.
The bowl we used as a mould can be found at Blanc Homewares, 378 Bay Street, Brighton VIC 3186, ph: (03) 9596 8747, fax: (03) 9596 8647.
Craft consultant for this project was Wendy Straume from Nomad Studio Australia, ph/fax: (03) 9530 6288.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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