Plaster of Paris Letter Sculpture

Make a sculpture of your name initial out of Plaster of Paris and have fun decorating it.	First Palette
Materials Alphabet rubber mats Plaster of Paris powder Poster paint Paper bowl or any disposable container Measuring cup Spoon Petroleum jelly Styrofoam board or any sturdy board Paint brushes White glue Double-sided tape Scissors Spatula or plastic knife Sequins, glitter, small craft foam shapes, other small decorative materials

Safety Tips

Plaster of Paris powder should be used under adult supervision. The powder is extremely fine and easily dispersed through air. Using a dust mask is highly recommended.
Never mix Plaster of Paris with your bare hands.
Watch out for this sign . It means adult help is needed for the particular step.

Steps

	1.	Choose your name initial from a set of alphabet rubber mats and remove the letter from the mat. We will use the remaining square frame as a sculpture mold.
	2.	Grease the inner sides of the letter mold with petroleum jelly.
	3.	Stick double-sided tape all around the edges of the back of your letter mold.
	4.	Peel off the paper from the tape.
	5.	Stick the letter mold onto a Styrofoam board or any sturdy board. Press firmly and make sure it is securely attached to the board.
	6.	Make a Plaster of Paris mixture following the package instructions of your particular brand of Plaster of Paris powder. Typically the ratio used for a Plaster of Paris mixture is 2 parts Plaster of Paris powder to 1 part water. You can also use our step-by-step guide for mixing Plaster of Paris.
	7.	Add some poster paint once the mixture is free of lumps and has a smooth consistency. Add more paint if you want to achieve a deeper hue. Continue mixing from side to side until the color is uniformly dispersed.
	8.	Allow the mixture to stand for a minute before pouring it into your mold.
	9.	Use a spatula or a plastic knife to flatten and level the mixture.
	10.	Decorate while the mixture hasn't set yet. You may sprinkle on some glitter if you like.
	11.	Stick some sequins, beads or small craft shapes. If the mixture sets while you're not quite done yet, that's alright. You can always glue on the decorations.
	12.	The Plaster of Paris will set in around 15 to 20 minutes. However, it's best to wait overnight before removing your letter sculpture from the mold.

Earth Friendly Tips

Do not throw Plaster of Paris into the drain, it will clog the pipes. If you have any leftover mixture, let it harden, then throw it into a garbage can.
If you want to save spoons or containers used for mixing Plaster of Paris, scrape off the hardened plaster and wipe the utensils with a damp cloth.

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