Part 1: how to make a casting slip from your own clay body 

I'm so glad you found it informative!

You're welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful!

Glad it was helpful!

Oh wow! Such a fantastic compliment! I'm delighted you found it so informative and easy to understand! Ceramics is such a science. We are all standing on the shoulders of giants, and we really feel it in the Ceramics field.

Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful!

You're welcome!

Hmmm. Are you using the exact same plaster mold? Slip-casting molds need to be made from #1 Pottery Plaster. I've made a casting mold from Plaster of Paris, and it really doesn't work. Plaster of Paris is too dense and it doesn't absorb the water, which is necessary for casting. I assume you are deflocculating your slip. This is absolutely essential. But if you are not, it is because you have too much water in your slip. Usually, if your mold is getting saturated from casting, it is because the water content is way too high. But if you are doing the exact same thing, using the exact same chemicals, measuring your specific gravity the same way, using the same amount of deflocculant, it could be that your water has changed. Electrolytes in the water can effect how well your slip casts. Glazes may also vary due to the water. Or it could be that your chemical supplier is now getting the same material quarried from a different location or mine, which could account for the variation. When using ball clays and/or kaolins, choose the one with the largest ultimate particle size (since these are more permeable to water and therefore cast faster and will prevent your mold from over-saturating). This article might be helpful. digitalfire.com/glossary/slip+casting If your slip is sticking to the inside of the mold, you may have too much EPK. Maybe try to reduce the EPK and increase your ball caly Good luck!

Here is the 04 clay body recipe I use, but you will have to watch the video again to get ratios on deflocculants: 54.4 OM4 Ball Clay 23.9 Silica 14.5 Talc 7.2 Whiting

Use Darvan #7. Here is a link about Darvan. digitalfire.com/material/darvan

There are lots of RU-vid videos showing how to make your own sodium silicate from caustic soda and silica gel (like you get in packaging to keep the contents dry).

Yes. Make sure you mix it well every time you use it.