Nature in Handcraft 

 PLASTER CASTS FROM MUD PIES 



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Preparing plaster casts of leaves and fruits long has been a favorite 

 out-of-doors craft. Here is a way to make them with mud pies instead of 

 plasteline. Mix some fine earth with water until it forms a thick paste and 

 knead it with your hands until it is the consistency of plasteline. Form 

 it into a cake one inch thick and the size of the desired plaque. Let it stand 

 about ten minutes until the top dries somewhat and then press whatever 

 object you want to cast into the top just hard enough to make an imprint. 

 (Diagram A) If leaves are used be sure the vein side is next to the mud 

 cake. Seed pods or buds of trees make especially attractive plaques. 



Next cut a strip of cardboard about three inches wide and long enough 

 to go around the cake of mud, and tie a string around it. (Diagram B) 

 You are now ready to mix the Plaster of Paris. Pour the powdered plaster 

 into an old container and add enough water to make it the consistency of 

 heavy cream being careful to stir it continuously. Pour it into the mold and 

 allow it to stand until thoroughly hardened. Take off cardboard and break 

 off the mud cake and polish the surface with an old brush. The small par- 

 ticles of mud that adhere to the plaque are rubbed into the plaster giving 

 it the effect of old ivory. 



MODELING YOUR PET 



There are several ways of modeling pets or animals. Such a project is an 

 excellent way to make a study of animals. When a child begins to make a 



