San Sake Cups
ceramics
For this slip cast project I started by pouring blanks which I carved while the plaster was still setting and then refined and sanded into a positive model of the sake cup.
MAKING THE MOLD
From the carved positive models, I then poured a negative plaster mold.
VERSION ONE
This first version of the sake cups were hand carved, but I found that the final product was more rustic than I orginally intended.
3D PRINTED POSITITVE
For version two I modeled and 3D printed the positive. I found I was able to achieve the handmade aesthetic I wanted just by the nature of casting and finishing by hand. After priming and sanding I made several molds from the print.
MOLD TESTS
Slip casting absorbs moisture from liquid clay poured into a plaster mold. A layer of clay builds and when the desired thickness is reached the excess clay is poured out and the piece is left to dry until it is ready to trim and remove.
SAMPLE CUPS
From the first version I learned that I wanted a thicker casting to give the cups a more substantial feeling. I did many mold tests to determing the ideal casting times.
LASERCUT PACKAGING
I designed lasercut packaging for individual cups that emphasize the trianglar form while protecting the pieces.
VERSION TWO
I decided to leave the outside of the cups unglazed since sanded porcelain is vitrified and has a lovely smooth texture. The bluer tones come from reduction firing while the warmer version is oxidation fired.
