Create an heirloom chalkware Santa Claus statuette.
Pieces of chalkware are molded ornaments and small statuettes made from Plaster of Paris. Although chalkware is fairly simple to create, the use of intricate molds and the high quality of the sculptures made in the early 20th century made chalkware popular among such well-known collectors as Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, Electra Havemeyer Webb, and Henry Ford. There is a large variety of molds on the market, made for soap and chocolate, which are ideal for creating chalkware, including three-dimensional and two-dimensional images of Santa Claus.
Instructions
1. Cover your work surface with newspaper for protection.
2. Mix Plaster of Paris in a disposable container. The ratio to use is one part cold water to 1 1/2 parts plaster. Stir the plaster gradually into the measured water until it reaches a smooth consistency.
3. Wet the inside of the mold. Shake any excess water out, but do not dry it. This will make it easier to remove the dry chalkware from the mold.
4. Pour the Plaster of Paris into the Santa mold. Do this slowly to avoid air bubbles. Let the plaster set for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the temperature and humidity.
5. Remove the chalkware Santa from the mold once it is completely set and let it dry at least 24 hours before continuing.
6. Scrape any mold lines off the Santa with a butter knife and smooth with sandpaper. Don't overdo it with the sandpaper---you'll buff out any fine details.
7. Blow off any chalk dust, then paint your chalkware Santa. Smooth, thin layers are best, so you can still see the fine details. Do not let the paint sit too thickly.
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