One that I use is a handi-pail. You can get them at the paint stores or hardware stores in the paint section. Its like a small bucket with a nice handle like a coffee mug but bigger. It has clear plastic liners. You just put a liner in the bucket, put in your rubber or plaster or whathave you in the liner, not the bucket.

When done you just remove the liner and throw it all out. It really cuts down on cleanup, especially for things that ruin the contrainer anyways. I saw my housepainter use one and now I use so many liners in the studio that I buy them by the case. I think its about $10 for the bucket, and the liners are much cheaper by the case.

Liz

The brush orients the fibers in the mix (another reason to use a brush, BTW), so I make sure I’m brushing it on in a particular direction. On the second time, I add no water to the mix, just whip it with the mixer and add a little foodcoloring (I use watercolor paints), and brush it on again. This time it goes on a bit thicker and I brush perpendicular to the first to send the fibers the other way. In effect, you’re creating a composite, which fires to a very strong shell. The watercolor tints it so you can see where you haven’t been yet.

And if you’ve got four or five buckets of the stuff, I envy you, ’cause it’s not cheap. HOWEVER…I’m not sure if it has a shelf life or not; many investments do. You might want to check.

Yes, I think I’m applying it too thick. I tried to whip it smooth with a mixer & then spread it with my small spatula. The guide that comes with it says to make the mold up to 5/8″ thick so that’s what I was trying to do….thus the added curves I don’t want. I’ll try it again. I’ve got 4 or 5 big buckets of this stuff that I bought awhile ago & then didn’t have time to experiment.

I didn’t relize the finished molds could be so thin! Wow. Thanks for your time & expertise! Tam

I’ve got some of the pusher tools–I think they’re also used by clay artists to shape and smudge wet clay. Clay tools are fabulous for all kinds of glass stuff–I think I collect them because there sure are a lot hanging around the studio.

On the Luminar–I’ve never spread it because it tends to go on too thick for me when I do that–the layers are literally paper thin and I have better luck applying with a brush. Most of my finished molds are maybe an eighth of an inch thick, if that. The fired MM6 shell is really strong, and I back it in a bowl of sand if I need more strength than that. Is it possible you’re making the layers (and maybe the mold) too thick?

My buddies Mel and Les Rowe are MM6 experts (and have written up a couple of guides on using the stuff that you’ll find on the Zircar website). They check in here occasionally–if they see this they can respond, or I’ll see if I can put you guys in touch privately… In the meantime, check out their description of a MM6 mold here: http://www.twinvision.fusedglassartists.com/creationofamold/creationofamold.html

–cynthia

Tam

ps ~ I’m still struggling with my luminar bust mold. I added the layers after each drying but as it got thicker the other edges started to curl up. (?) This is being molded over a plastic shape so it’s not sticking at all but the curling in making the finished mold unusable. I should probably try a smaller project or as I said before go back to clay as it’s easier for me to work.