As part of our summerhouse project, we have decided to re-design the area around the summmerhouse with coastal planting. Part of the decoration for this part of the garden will be shells and shingle, so to extend the theme, we are making garden ornaments inspired by the fossil pavements of the Jurassic coast.
The moulds will be made of clay, and the ammonite shapes will be produced from plaster. Last week the materials were delivered, and after we wrestled the sack into the building, we made a start on the first sculptures.
The mould is made by building a sort of flan case shape in clay, then we make a kink in the outer rim to start the spiral form of the ammonite.
A thin roll of clay is applied to the bottom to form the spiral, and blended in to create a smooth surface. Joan uses a teaspoon to create a textured pattern in the mould. The walls of the mould have been thickened, because we don't want to spring a leak once the plaster goes in!
Next for the critical part, we mix the plaster to a smooth pouring consistency, and fill the moulds.
And now we wait.....
The plaster will set in about two hours, but it will be fragile for a couple of days afterwards. This is a special plaster for outdoor applications, so it should be durable and weather resistant once it is fully cured.
