Making Rubber Molds - a fun challenge
The six who attended came from various backgrounds including some who have done previous workshops with Di, some who have learned cast glass with other tutors and a bronze caster.
Rubber Molds - useful tools
Di says "Rubber molds are a very useful tool in the casting studio. They will last for 100's of wax pours, can be very accurate with detail or serve as a 'blank' for creating base wax forms to slightly alter with each use". To create this accuracy a complicated process to produce the mold is required. All six students produced successful molds which they can now take home to work with.Workshop Participant - Comments
"The process is a complex one and we most definitely needed the two-and-a-half days to complete our molds. Di demonstrated every step and provided us with comprehensive written instructions, which will be invaluable for future reference. The group was also small enough that Di could observe what everyone was doing and provide help to those who were having difficulty""I really liked seeing everyone else’s work, I learn just as much by seeing other people push their ideas as I do by pushing my own. The best thing is, my mind is once again buzzing with ideas and I cannot wait to do the next course. Thanks for everything Di. You’re a fantastic and patient teacher and that is perfect for me".
"I have attended several courses over the years and found Di's teaching technique to be the best I've experienced. She is not only an extremely accomplished glass artist, but she is happy to share her knowledge and has the patience required to cope with different levels of experience".
Glass Casting Supplies - Shop Online
In response, Di Tocker has added an online store for Casting Supplies to her website. Customers can rest assured that the products Di stocks have been tried and tested in her own glass casting studio where she works full-time creating art pieces, commissions and teaches.
Dicastglass Casting Supplies - Current Stocklist
Molding Materials
Dental Plaster, Silica 350, Fibreglass, GrogWax Working
Wax, Wax knife curved, Wax knife straight, Wax knife spatula, Wax pen, Wax pen tipsGlass
Blackwood Lead Crystal - 22 colours availableKiln Items
Terracotta pots - 9cm,11cm, 13cm, 15cm, 19cm, 23cm, Pot props - 75mm,110mm, 150mmCold Working - Finishing
Silica carbide grit - 80, 220, 400, 600, Diamond handpads, Diamond canvas strip, Micromesh MXD strip, Cerium, PumiceSafety
Disposable gloves, Face Masks, Aprons, Safety glassesCrazy Fun with Clay
Di named the workshop Explore Glass Casting (open molds and clay models) as the participants did just that. This was an exercise in exploring the possibilites of molding with soft clay, creating a mold around the clay and then removing the soft clay once the plaster mold had set.
The students completed 2 small works on day 1 to get a feel for clay and plaster molding. Day 2 was about spending more time with the clay, adding detail and working larger. Students who had previously worked in wax noted that they really enjoyed the freedom the clay gave them to be 'looser' with the modelling material. Di said "I was blown away with the level of detail the students could produce from the clay models. It has turned out to be a very succesful way to work and I will keep it in mind for some of my own projects that may suit the process".
Give the Gift of Glass
Vouchers are now available at Dicastglass.
Available in $50 and $100 they are the ideal gift for the Cast Glass Enthusiast.
Vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase and redeemable for any of the following-
Cast Glass Workshops
Casting Supplies
Di Tocker's Cast Glass Artwork
Glass Casting Success for Six
The weather was starting to fine up outside...but this group of six were not here to admire the view!
Enthusiastically they embraced the principles of glass casting over 3 fun-filled days and each took away an awesome piece of finished cast glass. Once again they came from afar; four from the Waikato and others from Wellington and Nelson.
And as per usual the variety of great ideas for glass impressed me. Check out the photos and see for your self!
Some comments from the group about the workshop;
Very good - would recommend to others. I especially like the glass used (blackwood casting crystal). Benefit from the fact that you (Di) are professionally trained and have lots of experience.
I am very happy with the course, as a beginners course I think it covers the basics very well. All my questions answered (and I had plenty!)
I came wanting to learn the basics of cast glass and the course met my expectations fully.
Very professional and well organised.
Had a blast - nice and relaxing.
Cast Glass - a kiwi thing!
Di Tocker has a new line of glass works...and these wee guys are cute!
Named Kiwi Tahi, each individually carved bird is 'one of a kind' and comes complete with packaging in a re-cycled box.
To date these glass treasures are only available through Soul Gallery in Barton St, Hamilton and Zea You Gallery, Taupo.
Di Tocker's glass reaches new heights
Di cut and polished the crystal glass rods, and using girl guiding skills (learned from her mother) lashed and whipped the rope to finish the work in a very decorative fashion.
Commenting on Stairway to Heaven? Di says she wanted to "take a functional item, such as a rope ladder, change the materials and therefore render it dis-functional. I am also intrigued as to whether people still think they can climb it....will the glass rungs hold the weight of a person?" Di laughs and says she is not keen to find out!
Re:Fraction is on until the 18th of November.
There is scheduled Artist Talks - all at 11am on Sundays
Graeme Hitchcock - 7 October
Karin Barr - 14 October
Colleen Ryan-Priest - 28 October
Di Tocker - 11 November
free with park entry
The Sculpture Park @ Waitakaruru Arboretum
207 Scotsman Valley Rd
Tauwhare, Waikato, NZ
Open Daily 10am - 6.30pm
Entry: 15yrs plus - $15
5-14yrs - $5
Open for Viewing - Re:Fraction 2012
Judged by Carole Shepeard, Karin Barr was the deserved recipient of the Vazey Child Award for Excellence in Glass Sculpture with her work Treasure Stones. Hear her approach to this work when she gives an artist talk this Sunday at 11am.
Congratulations also to Jo Conroy of Wanganui for winning the emerging artist award for her piece Colour My World.
Other artists with glass on show include Colleen Ryan-Priest, Sofia Athineou, Graeme Hitchcock, Isla Osborne, Ron Reichs and Di Tocker.
Re:Fraction is on until the 18th of November 2012.
Artist Talks - all at 11am on Sundays
Graeme Hitchcock - 7 October
Karin Barr - 14 October
Colleen Ryan-Priest - 28 October
Di Tocker - 11 November
free with park entry
The Sculpture Park @ Waitakaruru Arboretum
207 Scotsman Valley Rd
Tauwhare, Waikato, NZ
Open Daily 10am - 6.30pm
Entry: 15yrs plus - $15
5-14yrs - $5