Quirky-i-i Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 I am wanting to make a thin-walled balloon lighting fixture. The piece will be shaped like a balloon fully(ish) enclosing the bulb, but the walls would have to be quite thin and delicate to be translucent enough to work even as a muted lighting fixture without having to poke holes all over it. I was thinking the best way to achieve this is sculpting the balloon, making a mold, and slip casting. What are your thoughts/suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEP Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 My suggestion is to use paper clay. Paper clay will allow you to make much thinner walls that don’t fall apart. Plus the small voids left behind when the paper is burned off in the firing will help make the fixture translucent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quirky-i-i Posted September 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Throw it as thin as you can, then trim it down to the desired thickness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinbucket Posted September 14, 2019 Report Share Posted September 14, 2019 I agree with you that making a mold and slip casting would give you the most desirable result. Any other method will fall short of slip casting when it comes to uniformity and thinness imho. One thing to consider is the heat that can build up in an enclosed light fixture. If you use an incandescent bulb and don't have any venting it will get hot. Also since the form will be round on all sides and translucent porcelain is usually somewhat pyroplastic, you might consider making a cradle of sorts to support the piece in the firing (similar to th way bone china is fired). Best of luck. I hope you post pictures of the process and results! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 Just a suggestion, Perfect time to label LED light bulbs only! Only a few watts of heat instead of 40, 60, 100 .... watts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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