MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS GRADE 2

Once again I was invited to the Grade 2 class. 

This week we are making a

 plaster craft for Mother's Day gifts.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• Burlap for the backing (garden grade)
• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Plasticine
• Assortment of items for making the mold
• Markers
• cards
• string
• wax paper
• Plastic cups and spoons for mixing plaster
• Rolling pin for rolling out plasticine

We provided an eclectic assortment of items.

You could instead do a theme such as the

seashore, birds, trees, pens and pencils an so on.

I rolled out the plasticine ahead of time as

it is a bit hard for grade two hands to roll out.

Once it was rolled out it was placed on a

piece of wax paper.

The plasticine "pancakes" were passed out

for the students to start making their impressions.

 The selected items are pressed into the plasticine

and then gently removed.

Many of the students were quite adept

at writing in a mirror image so that their

impressions might be read after the

plaster had set. Others wrote normally

creating a secret message for Mom that

she could read by holding it up to a mirror.

The burlap reinforces the plaster strengthening

it and also making something from which it

may hang.

Once the molds were ready the plaster of paris

was mixed and poured over the mold. The burlap

was then gently pressed into the wet plaster. Each piece

was then left in the classroom over night to dry.

In the morning the students gently peeled away

the plasticine from the now hardened plaster.

The students were so excited as their work

came into view.

We waited another 5 hours for drying before colouring them

with markers. The damp plasticine will absorb the

colour leaving it white and needing to be coloured again.

Each artist expresses their uniqueness!

PLASTER CRAFT

This medium allows for endless creativity

and is gratifying for all ages.

Start with dry mix PLASTER OF PARIS.

Large bags may be found at local building supply stores

for between $15 and $25 dollars.

Craft stores sell in smaller quantities.

I mix 2 parts dry plaster to 1 part water.

2:1

Do not mix until your mold is ready,

Roll out your PLASTICINE and place it

on a piece of wax paper. Make your impressions

 by pressing objects into the clay.

Once your impression is to your satisfaction

you are ready to mix and pour your plaster

and water mixture.

For this size of work, approximately

6" by 7", you will need 1/2 cup of

dry plaster to 1/4 cup cold water.

Spread evenly over the clay working quickly

as it starts to thicken rapidly.

Even with measuring my mixture may be thick

as in this picture or may be slightly thinner. The

thicker the mixture the sooner it will set.

Immediately after spreading you mixture evenly,

place a fabric backing pressing lightly into the plaster.

I like using utility burlap. The fabric adds strength

to the finished product making it less apt to crack.

It also gives you something by which to hang it.

Allow at least an hour for it to set.

Gently peel back the clay revealing

your work.

Ready to paint or colour with markers.

It is only your imagination that will

limit what you might choose for your theme.

To make these flowers I used a

pinched paper roll to get the petal shape.

The centre of the blossoms I made with

the end of my paint brush. The centre

stem is from my neighbours hedge.

My Grandson is colouring the piece

he made from his Grandfather's

African chess set.

Immediately after colouring. . .

Two hours later the damp plaster

has drawn some of the colour out.

I especially liked this effect and tried to

reproduce that in my work.

If the plaster was too damp the

colour might be completely gone by

morning. If that happens just colour

it again.

MARBLES

BUTTONS

CHICKS,FACE, SCREWS